At a glanceSir Desmond Swayne is a Conservative MP for New Forest West, and has represented the seat for 29 years, 2 months. They have cast 431 votes in Commons divisions (75% attendance), tabled 460 written questions and registered 3 financial interests.
Attendance is votes cast as a share of the 575 Commons divisions since the 2024 election; Sir Desmond Swayne did not vote in 142. A rebellion is a vote against the way most of their own party voted; free votes, where no party line applies, are left out.
Party-loyalty figures are our own analysis of the official voting records (recorded votes only; they do not describe the formal whip). How we work this out.
Biography
Current roles
- Secure 16 to 19 Academies Bill Committee since 26 Jun 2025
- Secure 16 to 19 Academies Bill Committee since 26 Jun 2025
- Panel of Chairs Committee since 27 Nov 2024
- Human Rights (Joint Committee) Committee since 25 Nov 2024
- New Forest West Representation · Elected 1 time since 4 Jul 2024
- Conservative Party since 1 May 1997
Voting record
Voting alignment
Votes most like
-
Bradley Thomas
Conservative
100.0% · 414 of 414 shared votes
-
Rebecca Harris
Conservative
100.0% · 409 of 409 shared votes
-
Greg Smith
Conservative
100.0% · 403 of 403 shared votes
-
Edward Argar
Conservative
100.0% · 399 of 399 shared votes
-
Dr Kieran Mullan
Conservative
100.0% · 392 of 392 shared votes
Votes least like
-
Emily Thornberry
Labour
0.9% · 2 of 220 shared votes
-
Michael Payne
Labour
1.2% · 4 of 343 shared votes
-
Chris Bryant
Labour
1.3% · 3 of 223 shared votes
-
Kerry McCarthy
Labour
1.4% · 5 of 370 shared votes
-
Bambos Charalambous
Labour
1.5% · 5 of 325 shared votes
Alignment figures are our own analysis of the official voting records (recorded votes only; they do not describe the formal whip). How we work this out.
Register of financial interests
From the official Register; shown as registered.
Land and property (within or outside the UK)2
- Residential in London
- Residential in London
Family members employed1
- Moira Swayne employed
Written questions
Hydrogen
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will set out a timetable to publish the Hydrogen Strategy update.
Answer · 6 Jul 2026
The renewed Hydrogen Strategy will set out Government’s vision and objectives for hydrogen, and how we intend to work together with industry to continue to transform ambition into action. Our understanding of where hydrogen can deliver the greatest value ...
Ethiopia: Christianity
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential implications for her policies of reports of attacks affecting Orthodox Christian communities in Ethiopia’s Arsi Zone in May and
Answer · 2 Jul 2026
I refer the Rt Hon Member to the answer provided in the House of Lords on 23 June in response to Question HL995, reproduced below for ease of reference:"We are concerned by reports of violence affecting communities in Ethiopia's Oromia region, includ...
Russia: Religious Freedom
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what representations she has made to the Government of Russia on the use of administrative penalties to fine religious organisations and confiscate or destroy religious liter
Answer · 25 Jun 2026
I refer the Rt Hon Member to the answer I gave him on 1 June in response to Question 2671, and - as I said in my further response to him on 16 June - we will keep him updated if and when there are further developments to report.
Tax Avoidance
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the answer of 27 April 2026 to Question 128634, how many individuals identified by HM Revenue and Customs as eligible for the settlement opportunity announced following the McCann review have (a) s
Answer · 25 Jun 2026
The new Loan Charge Settlement Opportunity (LCSO) is currently being legislated for and represents a fair and proportionate attempt to provide a route to resolution for those who have not yet been able to settle with HMRC. In turn, this requires taxpayers...
Jerusalem: Orthodox Church
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if she will make representations to the Government of Israel regarding the seizure of land in Silwan residence owned by the Greek Orthodox Patriarchies, the removal and destr
Answer · 25 Jun 2026
I refer the Rt Hon Member to the answers provided on 23 June and 24 June in response to Questions 10663 and 10665.
Russia: Religious Freedom
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she has made representations to the Government of Russia on the prosecution of (a) Jehovah’s Witnesses and (a) other religious groups under extremism legislation in t
Answer · 16 Jun 2026
I refer the Rt Hon Member to the answer I gave him on 1 June in response to Question 2671. We will update him if and when there are further developments to report.
Mali: Religious Freedom
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the impact of insecurity in Mali on Christian communities; and what steps her Department is taking with international partners to support the
Answer · 11 Jun 2026
The UK is gravely concerned at the fragile security situation in Mali, including reports of rising attacks against religious minority groups. We raise our concerns about protection of minority communities and social cohesion directly with the Government o...
Electricians: Qualifications
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he has plans to provide financial assistance to small electrical contractors to enable them to comply with the revised Electrotechnical Assessment Specification; and if he will extend the October de
Answer · 10 Jun 2026
The Electrotechnical Assessment Specification (EAS) is an industry agreed specification, and decisions on the detailed requirements and implementation timelines, including the October compliance deadline, are therefore primarily a matter for industry. The...
Early day motions
| 4 Jun 2025 | Christian persecution in Kebbi State, Nigeria | 13 sig. |
| 24 Mar 2004 | REAL NAPPY WEEK | 90 sig. |
| 5 Mar 2003 | HON MEMBERS CHANGING ROOM | 3 sig. |
| 18 Jul 2002 | TATE GALLERY | 20 sig. |
| 15 May 2002 | REAL NAPPIES | 116 sig. |
| 18 Jan 2002 | CIVILIAN PRISONERS OF THE JAPANESE | 21 sig. |
Speeches in the chamber
16 Jul 2026 National Planning Policy Framework
Order. Motion lapsed (Standing Order No. 10(6)).
16 Jul 2026 National Planning Policy Framework
Three-minute limit!
16 Jul 2026 National Planning Policy Framework
Order. I impose a four-minute time limit on speeches.
16 Jul 2026 Protecting Built Heritage
Order. Questions should be short.
16 Jul 2026 Protecting Built Heritage
We will begin with the Select Committee statement. Jo Platt will speak on the publication of the third report of the Culture, Media and Sport Committee, “Protecting built heritage”, HC 144, for up to 10 minutes, during which time no interv…
14 Jul 2026 Business of the House
Does the House not deserve to know what the new Prime Minister thinks about this unfolding crisis? Perhaps he will be speaking in the debate tomorrow.
8 Jul 2026 Troubles Legacy: Legislation
We were promised a substantial package of amendments and that the Bill would return to the House early in the Session. Is the delay occasioned by a pause for thought following the personal statement of the hon. Member for Birmingham Selly …
8 Jul 2026 Troubles Legacy: Legislation
2. What steps he is taking to replace the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023.
1 Jul 2026 Engagements
Q11. Through omission or insufficient advice, injured veterans may fail to place their compensation in a trust within the one year allowed by universal credit. Can discretion be had in compassionate cases?
30 Jun 2026 Defence Investment Plan
In what year will we reach 3%?
24 Jun 2026 Farming Road Map and Profitability Review
Common land.
24 Jun 2026 Farming Road Map and Profitability Review
When can we expect a resolution to the problems that are preventing payments in respect of commoning?
24 Jun 2026 Farming Road Map and Profitability Review
And Labour!
24 Jun 2026 Engagements
Q3. I hope there is still time in which the Prime Minister will be able to enlighten his party as to the moral of the cautionary tale of Jim, who ran away from his nurse, and was eaten by a lion.
23 Jun 2026 Clergy Conduct Measure (HC 221)
I am as surprised as I am delighted to serve under your chairmanship, Ms Lewell, for I was nominated by the Committee of Ways and Means to chair the Committee, only then to discover that I was to have the pleasure and honour of serving on …
16 Jun 2026 Access to Dental Services: West Sussex
Order. I haven’t any proposals.
16 Jun 2026 West Midlands Police: Government Support
Order. The sitting is suspended for 45 minutes.
16 Jun 2026 Lifelong Learning: “University of the Air” White Paper
Patrick Hurley, you have two minutes to wind up.
15 Jun 2026 Defence Investment Plan
The Minister told us that the former Secretary of State had asked him to stay. Had he not been so asked, would he have resigned too? How much persuasion did it take? [Laughter.]
11 Jun 2026 Passenger Rail Services
I dare not think how many years of my constituents’ lives have been given over to points failures and signal failures, and the confusion that follows, on the line between Waterloo and the south coast. What can Ministers do about it?
Source: contributions on parliament.uk.
Full parliamentary career
Government posts
- Minister of State (Department for International Development) · Department for International Development 15 Jul 2014 – 17 Jul 2016
- Vice Chamberlain (HM Household) (Whip, House of Commons) · HM Household 7 Oct 2013 – 15 Jul 2014
- Lord Commissioner (HM Treasury) (Whip) · HM Treasury 6 Sep 2012 – 7 Oct 2013
Opposition posts
- Opposition Whip (Commons) · Whips Office (Commons) 1 Jun 2002 – 1 Jun 2003
- Shadow Spokesperson (Defence) · Ministry of Defence 1 Jun 2001 – 1 Jun 2002
- Shadow Spokesperson (Health) · Department of Health 1 Feb 2001 – 1 Jun 2001
Committee memberships
- Ecclesiastical Committee 4 Mar 2020 – 30 May 2024
- Work and Pensions Committee 2 Mar 2020 – 30 May 2024
- Speaker's Committee for the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority 16 Jan 2020 – 30 May 2024
- Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion or Belief Bill (Formerly known as International Freedom of Religion or Belief Bill) 17 Apr 2024 – 24 Apr 2024
- Investigatory Powers (Amendment) Bill [HL] 28 Feb 2024 – 7 Mar 2024
- Northern Ireland Affairs Committee 8 Apr 2019 – 6 Nov 2019
- Ecclesiastical Committee 31 Oct 2017 – 6 Nov 2019
- International Trade Committee 31 Oct 2016 – 3 May 2017
- Administration Committee 22 Oct 2012 – 28 Oct 2013
- Ecclesiastical Committee 6 Jul 2005 – 8 Apr 2010
- Defence Committee 12 Jul 2005 – 6 Feb 2006
- Procedure Committee 4 Mar 2002 – 12 Jul 2005
- Social Security 26 Jul 1999 – 11 May 2001
- Scottish Affairs Committee 14 Jul 1997 – 11 May 2001
Previous seats
- New Forest West · Elected 4 times 6 May 2010 – 30 May 2024
- New Forest West · Elected 3 times 1 May 1997 – 6 May 2010
Elections contested
- West Bromwich West 9 Apr 1992
- Pontypridd 11 Jun 1987
Expenses
Contact & offices
020 7219 4886
Parliamentary office
House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA
Constituency office
Constituency office
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about Sir Desmond Swayne, answered from official Parliament data.
Who is Sir Desmond Swayne?
Sir Desmond Swayne is a Member of Parliament representing New Forest West in the House of Commons. See Sir Desmond Swayne's official Parliament profile.
Which party does Sir Desmond Swayne represent?
Sir Desmond Swayne sits as Conservative. See Sir Desmond Swayne's official Parliament profile.
Which constituency does Sir Desmond Swayne represent?
Sir Desmond Swayne is the Member of Parliament for New Forest West. See Sir Desmond Swayne's official Parliament profile.
How long has Sir Desmond Swayne been an MP?
Sir Desmond Swayne has served in the House of Commons for 29 years, 2 months. See Sir Desmond Swayne's official Parliament profile.
What registered interests are listed for Sir Desmond Swayne?
Sir Desmond Swayne has 3 entries in the Register of Members' Financial Interests. See Sir Desmond Swayne's official Parliament profile.
Source: this MP's official Parliament profile. Last updated 26 Jul 2026.