Rebecca Harris

Dame Elizabeth Rebecca Scott Harris (born 22 December 1967) is a British Conservative Party politician who has been the Member of Parliament (MP) for Castle Point since 2010. She was the Comptroller of the Household from 2022 to 2024. In that role, she took part in the 2023 Coronation. In November 2024 she assumed the role of Opposition Chief Whip, replacing Stuart Andrew in the role.

Early life and career

Elizabeth Harris was born on 22 December 1967 in Windsor, Berkshire and was privately educated at the boarding school Bedales, in Hampshire. She then went to university at the London School of Economics, graduating with a BSc. After university, Harris worked with Phillimore & Co publishers, working in warehousing as a delivery driver and sales rep. She eventually joined the board as marketing director. Harris was a Conservative head office campaign co-ordinator during 2000-2001 and Conservative North West London area officer during 2007–2008.

Parliamentary career

At the 2010 general election, Harris was elected to Parliament as MP for Castle Point with 44% of the vote and a majority of 7,632.

In 2012, Harris was named by Conservative Home as one of a minority of loyal Conservative backbench MPs not to have voted against the government in any significant rebellions.

She was a member of the Business, Innovation and Skills Committee and championed the Daylight Saving Bill which would have moved Britain onto Central European Time. On 20 January 2012, the legislation ran out of time to progress, meaning that the United Kingdom would remain on Western European Time.

In March 2015, Harris and her entourage recorded video footage of allegedly speeding motorbikers and handed them to the police, after spotting them whilst canvassing. Local residents had complained of the street being used for road racing.

At the 2015 general election, Harris was re-elected as MP for Castle Point with an increased vote share of 50.9% and an increased majority of 8,934.

Prior to the 2016 Brexit referendum, Harris stated her support for Britain to leave the European Union.

Harris was re-elected at the snap 2017 general election with an increased vote share of 67.3% and an increased majority of 18,872.

At the 2019 general election, Harris was again re-elected with an increased vote share of 76.7% and an increased majority of 26,634. This was the largest Conservative vote share of the entire election.

Harris was appointed Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire in the 2024 Birthday Honours List for Political and Public Service.

Harris was again re-elected at the 2024 general election, with a decreased vote share of 38.1% and a decreased majority of 3,251.

Following the victory of Kemi Badenoch in the 2024 leadership election, Harris was appointed Chief Whip of the Conservative Party.

Electoral history

References

External links

Castle Point Conservatives

{{DEFAULTSORT:Harris, Rebecca
1967 births
Living people
People educated at Bedales School
Alumni of the London School of Economics
Conservative Party (UK) MPs for English constituencies
Female members of the Parliament of the United Kingdom for English constituencies
21st-century British women politicians
UK MPs 2010–2015
UK MPs 2015–2017
UK MPs 2017–2019
UK MPs 2019–2024
UK MPs 2024–present
21st-century English women
21st-century English politicians
British Eurosceptics
Dames Commander of the Order of the British Empire
Shadow cabinet of Kemi Badenoch