MP for Witham
Shadow Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs
“A high-profile, party-loyal Conservative MP who currently serves as Shadow Foreign Secretary.”
Priti Patel is the Conservative MP for Witham, first elected in 2010. She has held senior government roles, including Home Secretary (2019–2022) and International Development Secretary (2016–2017), and since November 2024 serves as Shadow Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs.
She has very high party loyalty (99%) and an attendance rate above the party average (59%). She has 13 rebel votes across 202 votes. On policy, she generally backs tougher immigration controls and a strong asylum system, while taking a conservative line on welfare reform (generally against Universal Credit changes) and on transport and unions; she has supported transgender rights and the Rwanda deportation scheme.
Declared 17 financial interests, including gifts, benefits and hospitality from UK sources; visits outside the UK; and miscellaneous entries.
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.
Victims and Courts Bill: motion to disagree with Lords Amendment 6
NOVictims and Courts Bill
Victims and Courts Bill: motion to disagree with Lords Amendment 5
NOVictims and Courts Bill
Victims and Courts Bill: motion to disagree with Lords Amendment 4
NOVictims and Courts Bill
Victims and Courts Bill: motion to disagree with Lords Amendment 3
NOVictims and Courts Bill
Victims and Courts Bill: motion to disagree with Lords Amendment 2
NOVictims and Courts Bill
Victims and Courts Bill: motion to disagree with Lords Amendment 1
NOVictims and Courts Bill
Opposition Day Motion: Defence
AYEOpposition Day Motion: Oil and Gas
AYENational Insurance Contributions (Employer Pensions Contributions) Bill: motion to disagree with Lords Amendment 6
NONational Insurance Contributions (Employer Pensions Contributions) Bill
National Insurance Contributions (Employer Pensions Contributions) Bill: motion to disagree with Lords Amendment 5
NONational Insurance Contributions (Employer Pensions Contributions) Bill
National Insurance Contributions (Employer Pensions Contributions) Bill: motion to disagree with Lords Amendment 3
NONational Insurance Contributions (Employer Pensions Contributions) Bill
National Insurance Contributions (Employer Pensions Contributions) Bill: motion to disagree with Lords Amendment 2
NONational Insurance Contributions (Employer Pensions Contributions) Bill
National Insurance Contributions (Employer Pensions Contributions) Bill: motion to disagree with Lords Amendment 1
NONational Insurance Contributions (Employer Pensions Contributions) Bill
Opposition day motion: student loans
AYEOpposition day motion: fuel duty
AYEThe 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.
