MP for Rayleigh and Wickford
Shadow Minister (Defence)
“A long-serving Conservative MP with a defence focus, usually very loyal to his party while occasionally breaking ranks on Rwanda-related asylum policy.”
Mr Mark Francois is a Conservative MP for Rayleigh and Wickford, first elected in 2001. He currently serves as Shadow Minister for Defence and sits on the Select Committee on the Armed Forces Bill from February 2026. His career includes ministerial roles in the Ministry of Defence (2012–2015) and Communities and Local Government (2015–2016), with extensive involvement in defence-related parliamentary work.
He votes largely with his party, reflected in a high party loyalty score (98%) and attendance above average (67%). His record shows a mix of positions, with strong support for immigration controls and the asylum system, and opposition to NHS funding increases and certain transport regulations. He has taken mixed stances on social issues such as transgender rights and has demonstrated selective independence on Rwanda-related measures.
He has declared four financial interests, including three visits outside the UK and one item of employment or earnings.
Generated 21 February 2026
How this MP participates in parliamentary votes. These numbers describe activity, not effectiveness.
How often this MP votes
Conservative average: 56%
The percentage of parliamentary votes (divisions) this MP participated in. MPs may miss votes for legitimate reasons including ministerial duties, constituency work, or illness.
How often this MP votes with their party
Conservative average: 99%
Estimated from voting record, not self-declared. This is a simplified model — real politics is more complex than a single axis.
19 positions
Select Committee on the Armed Forces Bill
Since Feb 2026
Shadow Minister (Defence)
Since Nov 2024
Armed Forces Commissioner Bill
Dec 2024 - Dec 2024
British Citizenship (Northern Ireland) Bill
Mar 2024 - Apr 2024
Public Accounts Committee
May 2021 - May 2024
Defence Sub-Committee
Mar 2020 - May 2024
Defence Committee
Mar 2020 - May 2024
Defence Sub-Committee
Sept 2017 - Nov 2019
Figures include only interests with declared monetary values from the Register of Members' Financial Interests. Some categories (e.g. hospitality, overseas visits) may not have monetary values recorded, so the total may not reflect all declared interests.
Opposition Day Motion: Defence
AYEOpposition Day Motion: Oil and Gas
AYEOpposition day motion: student loans
AYEOpposition day motion: fuel duty
AYEDraft Employment Rights Act 2025 (Investigatory Powers) (Consequential Amendments) Regulations 2026
NOFinance (No. 2) Bill: Third Reading
NOFinance (No. 2) Bill
Finance (No. 2) Bill Report Stage: Amendment 6
AYEFinance (No. 2) Bill
Finance (No. 2) Bill Report Stage: Amendment 5
AYEFinance (No. 2) Bill
Finance (No. 2) Bill Report Stage: New Clause 11
AYEFinance (No. 2) Bill
Courts and Tribunals Bill: Second Reading
NOCourts and Tribunals Bill
Courts and Tribunals Bill: Reasoned Amendment to Second Reading
AYECourts and Tribunals Bill
Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill: motion to disagree with Lords Amendment 106
NOChildren’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill
Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill: motion to disagree with Lords Amendment 102
NOChildren’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill
Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill: motion to disagree with Lords Amendment 44
NOChildren’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill
Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill: motion to disagree with Lords Amendment 41
NOChildren’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill
The percentage of votes where this MP voted the same way as the majority of their party. High loyalty is typical; most MPs vote with their party on most issues.
Rebel votes
Times this MP voted differently from the majority of their party. This can reflect independent judgement, but context matters — some rebel votes are on procedural matters, others on major policy.
