MP for Braintree
Shadow Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government
“A highly loyal front‑bench veteran who has held several cabinet roles and now leads the opposition on housing and local government.”
Sir James Cleverly is a Conservative MP for Braintree, first elected in 2015. He has held several senior government roles, including Foreign Secretary, Home Secretary and Education Secretary, and as of 2025 serves as the Shadow Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government.
He has 100% party loyalty (above the party average of 99%) and 67% attendance (above the party average of 56%), with just one rebel vote. On key topics, his votes show a mix: he generally supports immigration controls and the Rwanda deportation scheme, and generally supports the asylum system, but has voted against bus services regulation and against expanded trade union powers. He has mixed voting records on Universal Credit, VAT changes, transgender rights, NHS funding and prison sentencing.
There are 13 declared financial interests, including multiple entries for ad hoc payments and ongoing paid employment, along with other miscellaneous earnings.
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.
16 positions
Shadow Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government
Since Jul 2025
Education Committee
Jun 2025 - Dec 2025
Shadow Home Secretary
Jul 2024 - Nov 2024
Home Secretary
Nov 2023 - Jul 2024
Foreign Secretary
Sept 2022 - Nov 2023
Secretary of State for Education
Jul 2022 - Sept 2022
Minister of State (Minister for Europe)
Feb 2022 - Jul 2022
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
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
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.
