MP for Witham
Shadow Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs
“A long-serving Conservative MP and former Home Secretary who now fronts the opposition’s foreign policy brief.”
Priti Patel is the Conservative MP for Witham, first elected in 2010. She has held senior government posts, including Home Secretary from 2019 to 2022, and as of November 2024 serves as the Shadow Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs. Her career spans frontline government roles and parliamentary committees.
Her voting record shows very high party loyalty (99%), with attendance around the party average (59%). She sits on the centre-right of the political spectrum (62/100). While broadly aligned with her party, she has a small number of rebellions on EU withdrawal-related votes and other regulatory measures, indicating selective independence on some issues.
Declared financial interests include 15 entries: 9 gifts, benefits and hospitality from UK sources; 5 visits outside the UK; and 1 miscellaneous entry.
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.
11 positions
Shadow Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs
Since Nov 2024
Commonwealth Parliamentary Association and International Committee of the Red Cross (Status) Bill [HL]
Nov 2024 - Nov 2024
Home Secretary
Jul 2019 - Sept 2022
Committees on Arms Export Controls
Feb 2018 - Nov 2019
Foreign Affairs Committee
Feb 2018 - Nov 2019
Secretary of State for International Development
Jul 2016 - Nov 2017
Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions) (Cabinet)
May 2015 - Jul 2016
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.
Referendums Relating to Council Tax Increases (Principles) (England) Report 2026-27
NOLocal Government Finance Report (England) 2026-27
NODraft Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme (Amendment) (Extension to Maritime Activities) Order 2026
NODraft Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme (Amendment) Order 2026
NOUniversal Credit (Removal of Two Child Limit) Bill: Second Reading
NOUniversal Credit (Removal of Two Child Limit) Bill [HL]
Opposition Day: Youth unemployment
AYEOpposition Day: British Indian Ocean Territory
AYEDraft Medical Devices (Fees Amendment) Regulations 2026
NOMedical Training (Prioritisation) Bill: Amendment 1
AYEMedical Training (Prioritisation) Bill
Medical Training (Prioritisation) Bill: Amendment 9
AYEMedical Training (Prioritisation) Bill
National Insurance Contributions (Employer Pensions Contributions) Bill: Third Reading
NONational Insurance Contributions (Employer Pensions Contributions) Bill
National Insurance Contributions (Employer Pensions Contributions) Bill Committee: New Clause 5
AYENational Insurance Contributions (Employer Pensions Contributions) Bill
National Insurance Contributions (Employer Pensions Contributions) Bill Committee: Amendment 5
AYENational Insurance Contributions (Employer Pensions Contributions) Bill
Diego Garcia Military Base and British Indian Ocean Territory Bill: motion to disagree with Lords Amendment 6
NODiego Garcia Military Base and British Indian Ocean Territory Bill
Diego Garcia Military Base and British Indian Ocean Territory Bill: motion to disagree with Lords Amendment 5
NODiego Garcia Military Base and British Indian Ocean Territory 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.
