Veteran Conservative Priti Patel aims to retain Witham seat amid fierce parliamentary election

Priti Patel, a prominent British Conservative politician, served as Secretary of State for the Home Department from July 24, 2019, to September 6, 2022. Patel has been the Member of Parliament (MP) for Witham since her election in May 2010, consistently winning re-election in 2015 2017, and 2019 with substantial majorities.

Priti Patel is hoping to hold down her seat of Witham in Essex in this round of parliamentary election.

Born on March 29, 1972, in London to Indian parents who had emigrated from Uganda, Patel grew up in a family that valued hard work and entrepreneurship. After attending a comprehensive school in Watford, Priti Patel pursued her undergraduate studies in economics at Keele University, followed by postgraduate studies in British government and politics at the University of Essex.

Political career

Patel began her political journey working in the Conservative Party’s press office and later headed the press office for the Referendum Party. She also served as an international development adviser for Conservative Party leader William Hague.

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Patel’s first significant government role was as Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury from July 2014 to May 2015. She was then appointed Minister of State for Employment from May 2015 until July 2016, focusing on labour market policies and employment support programmes .

Secretary of State for International Development

In July 2016, Prime Minister Theresa May appointed Patel as Secretary of State for International Development. During her tenure, she oversaw the UK’s foreign aid budget and international development initiatives. However, her term ended in November 2017 following revelations of unauthorised meetings with Israeli officials during a holiday.

Secretary of State for the Home Department

In July 2019, Patel was appointed Home Secretary by Prime Minister Boris Johnson. She was responsible for immigration policy, counter-terrorism, and policing. Patel became known for her tough stance on immigration, advocating for stricter border controls and a points-based immigration system. Her tenure saw the introduction of several controversial policies, including plans to deport illegal immigrants to third countries for processing. She served in this role until September 2022.

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Electoral success

Patel’s electoral success in the Witham constituency has been notable. She first won the seat in 2010 with a majority of over 15,000 votes, increased her majority in the 2015 general election to over 19,000 votes, and maintained a strong majority in subsequent elections. Her continued electoral success demonstrates strong local support and a solid connection with her constituents.

Controversies

Patel’s career has been marked by several controversies. Her resignation as Secretary of State for International Development in 2017 after unauthorised meetings with Israeli officials was a significant incident. As Home Secretary, she faced criticism over her handling of immigration policies and allegations of bullying within the Home Office, which were investigated in an internal government inquiry.

Career outside politics

Before entering Parliament, Patel worked in consultancy and had an international career. In November 2013, she was appointed by the Prime Minister as the first UK Indian Diaspora Champion, a role that highlighted her commitment to representing the interests of the Indian community in the UK.

Priti Patel is married to Alex Sawyer, a marketing consultant and former Conservative councillor. The couple has a son.