MP for Gainsborough
Father of the House of Commons
“A long-serving Conservative MP and Father of the House, notable for very high party loyalty and a long record of parliamentary service with occasional principled rebellions.”
Sir Edward Leigh is the Conservative MP for Gainsborough, first elected in 1983. He currently serves as Father of the House of Commons and sits on the Panel of Chairs, reflecting a long career in parliamentary procedure and oversight.
He shows very high party loyalty (99%) with 72% attendance and 18 rebel votes. His voting places him on the centre-right of the Conservative spectrum. He generally supports immigration controls and the asylum system, has backed the Rwanda deportation scheme, and has shown some cross-party positions on other issues such as transgender rights and public service regulation.
Declared financial interests include two overseas visits, a family member employed, and one miscellaneous interest.
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.
22 positions
Panel of Chairs
Since Jul 2024
Father of the House of Commons
Since Jul 2024
Restoration and Renewal Programme Board
Feb 2023 - May 2024
National Security Strategy (Joint Committee)
Sept 2020 - May 2022
Panel of Chairs
Jan 2020 - May 2024
Procedure Committee
Mar 2018 - Nov 2019
Public Accounts Commission
Nov 2017 - Jul 2022
Panel of Chairs
Jun 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.
Draft Agriculture (Delinked Payments) (Reductions) (England) Regulations 2026
NOArmed 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
King's Speech Motion for an Address: amendment (l)
NOKing's Speech Motion for an Address: amendment (o)
AYEKing's Speech Motion for an Address: amendment (i)
AYEPension Schemes Bill: Government Motion relating to Lords Reason 88X
NOCollective Defined Contribution Pension Schemes Bill
Privilege
AYENorthern Ireland Troubles Bill: Carry-over (Motion)
NONorthern Ireland Troubles Bill
Pension Schemes Bill: Motion relating to Lords Reason 88Q
NOCollective Defined Contribution Pension Schemes Bill
English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill: Motion relating to Lords Amendments 85, 86, 97 to 116, 120, 121 and 123 etc
NOEnglish Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill
English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill: Motion relating to Lords Amendments 94B and 94C
NOEnglish Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill
English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill: Motion relating to Lords Amendments 36, 90 and 155
NOEnglish Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill
English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill: Motion to disagree with Lords Amendments 89B and 89C
NOEnglish Devolution and Community Empowerment 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.
