MP for Gainsborough
Father of the House of Commons
“A veteran Conservative backbencher and Father of the House, broadly loyal in votes but with notable occasional rebellions on Rwanda policy and related reforms.”
Sir Edward Leigh is a long-serving Conservative MP for Gainsborough, first elected in 1983. He is currently the Father of the House and sits on the Panel of Chairs, reflecting a long parliamentary career and a role in backbench leadership. Over four decades he has served on numerous committees, including the Public Accounts Commission and other backbench and procedural bodies.
Sir Edward Leigh has a 99% party loyalty score, and his attendance rate of 73% sits above the party average of 56%. He has 18 rebel votes in total, showing occasional departures from the party line. His voting record spans a centre-right spectrum with strong support for immigration controls and the Rwanda deportation scheme, alongside mixed positions on welfare, health funding and public service regulation.
Declared financial interests include two overseas visits, a family member employed by him, and one 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.
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.
Universal Credit (Removal of Two Child Limit) Bill: Third Reading
NOUniversal Credit (Removal of Two Child Limit) Bill [HL]
Industry and Exports (Financial Assistance) Bill Committee: New Clause 2
AYEIndustry and Exports (Financial Assistance) Bill
Industry and Exports (Financial Assistance) Bill Committee: Amendment 1
AYEIndustry and Exports (Financial Assistance) Bill
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]
The Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023 (Remedial) Order 2025
NONational 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
Diego Garcia Military Base and British Indian Ocean Territory Bill: motion to disagree with Lords Amendment 1
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.
