MP for New Forest West
“Long-serving Conservative MP with ministerial experience who backs immigration controls and asylum policy, and has shown selective dissent on a few bills.”
Sir Desmond Swayne is a long-serving Conservative MP for New Forest West, first elected in 1997. He has held ministerial responsibilities, including Minister of State for International Development from 2014 to 2016, and has served in parliamentary teams such as the Panel of Chairs and the Human Rights Joint Committee; he currently sits on the committee for the Secure 16 to 19 Academies Bill.
He shows strong party loyalty (98%) and good attendance (85%). His voting reveals a centre-right stance and support for immigration controls and the asylum system, alongside consistent opposition to NHS funding. He has a number of notable rebel votes on specific measures, including the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, amendments to the Rwanda asylum legislation, and the Energy Bill Lords third reading.
Declares financial interests including land and property (two entries) and family members employed (one 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.
24 positions
Secure 16 to 19 Academies Bill
Since Jun 2025
Secure 16 to 19 Academies Bill
Since Jun 2025
Panel of Chairs
Since Nov 2024
Human Rights (Joint Committee)
Since Nov 2024
Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion or Belief Bill (Formerly known as International Freedom of Religion or Belief Bill)
Apr 2024 - Apr 2024
Investigatory Powers (Amendment) Bill [HL]
Feb 2024 - Mar 2024
Ecclesiastical Committee
Mar 2020 - May 2024
Work and Pensions Committee
Mar 2020 - May 2024
Speaker's Committee for the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority
Jan 2020 - May 2024
Northern Ireland Affairs Committee
Apr 2019 - 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.
Railways Bill: Third Reading
NORailways Bill
Railways Bill Remaining Stages: Amendment 148
AYERailways Bill
Railways Bill Remaining Stages: Amendment 143
AYERailways Bill
Steel Industry (Nationalisation) Bill Committee: New Clause 4
AYESteel Industry (Nationalisation) Bill
Steel Industry (Nationalisation) Bill Committee: New Clause 12
AYESteel Industry (Nationalisation) Bill
Steel Industry (Nationalisation) Bill Committee: Amendment 20
AYESteel Industry (Nationalisation) Bill
Steel Industry (Nationalisation) Bill Committee: New Clause 8
AYESteel Industry (Nationalisation) Bill
Steel Industry (Nationalisation) Bill Committee: Amendment 12
AYESteel Industry (Nationalisation) Bill
Armed Forces Bill Committee: New Clause 6
AYEArmed Forces Bill
Armed Forces Bill Committee: New Clause 5
AYEArmed Forces Bill
Armed Forces Bill Committee: New Clause 2
AYEArmed Forces Bill
Steel Industry (Nationalisation) Bill: Reasoned Amendment to Second Reading
AYESteel Industry (Nationalisation) Bill
King's Speech Motion for an Address
NOKing's Speech Motion for an Address: amendment (p)
AYEKing's Speech Motion for an Address: amendment (l)
NOThe 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.
