Lee Raymond James Dillon (born 1983) is a British Liberal Democrat politician who has been Member of Parliament (MP) for Newbury since 2024, gaining the seat from the

Conservative Conservatism is a cultural, social, and political philosophy and ideology that seeks to promote and preserve traditional institutions, customs, and values. The central tenets of conservatism may vary in relation to the culture and civiliza ...

incumbent,

Laura Farris Laura Rose Farris (née McNair-Wilson; born 13 June 1978) is a British Conservative politician who was the Member of Parliament (MP) for Newbury from 2019 until 2024. Prior to her parliamentary career, she worked as a journalist and later as a ...

. Before entering Parliament, Dillon was a social housing senior manager. He served as the mayor of Thatcham from 2010 to 2012 and the leader of West Berkshire Council from 2023 to 2024.

Early political career

Dillon describes David Rendel, a former Liberal Democrat MP for Newbury, as his political inspiration. Dillon was elected to Thatcham Town Council in 2007 and represents the ward of Thatcham North East. He served two terms as mayor from 2010 to 2012, and was the town's youngest mayor when first elected at the age of 27. Dillon has served as a member of West Berkshire Council from 2007 to 2011 and since 2015, representing Thatcham North East and previously Thatcham North. At the 2023 election, the Liberal Democrats assumed majority control of West Berkshire Council, and Dillon was subsequently elected leader of the council on 25 May. He took sabbatical leave from the role on 1 February 2024 before resigning as leader on 30 April to focus on his campaign for the forthcoming general election.

Parliamentary career

Dillon first stood for election at the 2005 general election in Islwyn, coming third with 12.5 per cent of the vote. He again stood for election in Newbury in the 2019 general election, coming second with 30.6 per cent. In 2023, Dillon was re-selected as the Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate for Newbury. He went on to win the constituency at the 2024 general election with 40.1 per cent of the vote, winning the seat for the Liberal Democrats for the first time since the 2001 general election. He gained the seat from the

incumbent,

Personal life

Dillon grew up in Thatcham, where his family owns a local pub. He has a wife and young children. His father was a trade union official. A keen football fan, he regularly takes his children to watch Reading F.C., and supports his local team, Thatcham Town F.C.

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Dillon, Lee Living people 1983 births Date of birth missing (living people) Alumni of the University of South Wales Councillors in Berkshire Leaders of local authorities of England Liberal Democrats (UK) councillors Liberal Democrats (UK) MPs for English constituencies Mayors of places in Berkshire People from Thatcham Politicians from Berkshire UK councillors 2007–2011 UK councillors 2011–2015 UK councillors 2015–2019 UK councillors 2019–2023 UK councillors 2023–2027 UK MPs 2024–present