MP for Hertsmere
“A long-serving Conservative MP and former senior minister, known for strong party loyalty and a centrist voting stance.”
Sir Oliver Dowden is Conservative MP for Hertsmere, first elected in 2015. He has held a range of senior government roles, including Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary of State in the Cabinet Office, and has also served as Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Secretary. In 2024 he served in senior opposition roles as a shadow minister.
Dowden shows very high party loyalty (100% vs a party average of 99%) and attends more than the party average (68% vs 56%). He has four rebel votes listed and a total of 6 rebel votes, indicating occasional deviations from the party line. Across a range of policy areas, his voting is mixed rather than uniformly aligned with party positions, with no single issue dominating his record (examples include Universal Credit, immigration controls, transgender rights, NHS funding and Westminster votes on Rwanda).
Declared financial interests total 38 entries, including employment and earnings in ad hoc payments (19 entries), gifts, benefits and hospitality from UK sources (7 entries), visits outside the UK (6 entries), and other earnings or 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.
13 positions
Shadow Deputy Prime Minister
Jul 2024 - Nov 2024
Shadow Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster
Jul 2024 - Nov 2024
Deputy Prime Minister
Apr 2023 - Jul 2024
Secretary of State in the Cabinet Office
Feb 2023 - Jul 2024
Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster
Oct 2022 - Jul 2024
Minister without Portfolio (Cabinet Office)
Sept 2021 - Jun 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
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.
