Member of the House of Lords

Lord Blencathra

Conservative

Shadow Minister (Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

At a glanceLord Blencathra is a Conservative member of the House of Lords. They currently serve as Shadow Minister (Environment, Food and Rural Affairs).

Votes cast1,335

Voted Content344

Voted Not Content991

Lords divisions Lord Blencathra has voted in. Content is a vote for the motion, Not Content against. Peers attend divisions ad hoc, so there is no attendance figure.

Biographyfrom Parliament

Lord Blencathra's full title is The Rt Hon. the Lord Blencathra. His name is David John Maclean, and he is a current member of the House of Lords.

Current roles3 held

Lord Speaker's Advisory Panel on Works of Art Committee since 13 May 2026
Shadow Minister (Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) Opposition post · Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs since 1 Sep 2024
Conservative Party since 28 Jul 1983

Voting recordlatest 15 shown

21 Jul 2026	Business of the House motion on Arrangement of the Order Paper 22 July	Content
20 Jul 2026	Social Housing Bill [HL]	Content
20 Jul 2026	Social Housing Bill [HL]	Content
15 Jul 2026	Sporting Events Bill [HL]	Content
15 Jul 2026	Sporting Events Bill [HL]	Content
13 Jul 2026	Civil Aviation (Consumer Protection and Regulatory Reform) Bill [HL]	Content
13 Jul 2026	Civil Aviation (Consumer Protection and Regulatory Reform) Bill [HL]	Content
30 Jun 2026	National Security (State Threats) Bill	Content
27 Apr 2026	English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill	Content
27 Apr 2026	Pension Schemes Bill	Content
27 Apr 2026	English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill	Content
27 Apr 2026	English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill	Content
23 Apr 2026	English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill	Content
23 Apr 2026	English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill	Content
23 Apr 2026	English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill	Content

See full voting record

Full parliamentary career21 past posts

Government posts

Minister of State (Home Office) · Home Office 27 May 1993 – 1 May 1997
Minister (Department of Environment) (Environment and Countryside) · Department for the Environment 14 Apr 1992 – 26 May 1993
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food) · Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food 26 Jun 1989 – 15 Apr 1992
Lord Commissioner (HM Treasury) (Whip) · HM Treasury 27 Jul 1988 – 24 Jul 1989
Assistant Whip (HM Treasury) · HM Treasury 18 Jun 1987 – 25 Jul 1988

Opposition posts

Opposition Chief Whip (Commons) · Whips Office (Commons) 18 Sep 2001 – 10 May 2005

Committee memberships

Public Services Committee 31 Jan 2023 – 27 Jan 2026
Liaison Committee (Lords) 19 Jan 2022 – 30 Jan 2025
Delegated Powers and Regulatory Reform Committee · Chair 7 Sep 2017 – 19 Jan 2022
Procedure and Privileges Committee 16 May 2012 – 30 Mar 2015
Draft Communications Data Bill (Joint Committee) 28 Jun 2012 – 28 Nov 2012
Liaison Committee (Commons) 14 Jun 2006 – 6 May 2010
Statutory Instruments (Joint Committee) · Chair 14 Jun 2006 – 6 May 2010
Statutory Instruments (Select Committee) · Chair 14 Jun 2006 – 6 May 2010
Statutory Instruments (Joint Committee) 12 Jun 2006 – 6 May 2010
Statutory Instruments (Select Committee) 12 Jun 2006 – 6 May 2010
Members Estimate Committee 29 Jan 2004 – 6 May 2010
Agriculture 6 Dec 1985 – 15 May 1987

Previous seats

Penrith and The Border · Elected 3 times 1 May 1997 – 6 May 2010
Penrith and The Border · Elected 3 times 28 Jul 1983 – 1 May 1997

Elections contested

Inverness, Nairn and Lochaber 9 Jun 1983

Source: parliamentary career on parliament.uk.

Frequently asked questions

Common questions about Lord Blencathra, answered from official Parliament data.

Who is Lord Blencathra?

Lord Blencathra is a member of the House of Lords. See Lord Blencathra's official Parliament profile.

Which party does Lord Blencathra represent?

Lord Blencathra sits as Conservative in the House of Lords. See Lord Blencathra's official Parliament profile.

How long has Lord Blencathra sat in the House of Lords?

Lord Blencathra has served in the House of Lords for 15 years, 4 months. See Lord Blencathra's official Parliament profile.

What registered interests are listed for Lord Blencathra?

Lord Blencathra has no entries in the Register of Lords' Interests. See Lord Blencathra's official Parliament profile.

Source: this MP's official Parliament profile. Last updated 26 Jul 2026.