View source for Edward Leigh

{{short description|British politician (born 1950)}}
{{Other people}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2023}}
{{Use British English|date=February 2014}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name                = Sir Edward Leigh
| honorific-prefix    = [[The Right Honourable]]
| honorific-suffix    = [[Member of Parliament|MP]]
| image               = Official portrait of Rt Hon Sir Edward Leigh MP crop 2.jpg
| office              = [[Father of the House (United Kingdom)|Father of the House]]
| 1blankname          = Speaker
| 1namedata           = [[Sir Lindsay Hoyle]]
| term_start          = 5 July 2024
| term_end            = 
| predecessor         = [[Sir Peter Bottomley]]
| successor           = 
| office1             = [[Secretary of State for Trade and Industry|Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Trade and Industry]]
| term_start1         = 2 November 1990
| term_end1           = 27 May 1993
| primeminister1      = [[Margaret Thatcher]]<br /> [[John Major]]
| predecessor1        = [[John Redwood]]
| successor1          = [[Neil Hamilton (politician)|Neil Hamilton]]<br /> [[Jean Denton, Baroness Denton of Wakefield|The Baroness Denton]]
| office2             = [[Public Accounts Committee (United Kingdom)|Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee]]
| term_start2         = 7 June 2001
| term_end2           = 9 June 2010
| predecessor2        = [[David Davis (British politician)|Sir David Davis]]
| successor2          = [[Dame Margaret Hodge]]
| office3             = [[Member of Parliament (United Kingdom)|Member of Parliament]] <br /> for [[Gainsborough (UK Parliament constituency)|Gainsborough]]<br />{{nobold|[[Gainsborough and Horncastle]] (1983–1997)}}
| majority3           = 3,532 (7.5%)
| term_start3         = 9 June 1983
| term_end3           = 
| predecessor3        = [[Marcus Kimball]]
| successor3          = 
| birth_name          = Edward Julian Egerton Leigh
| birth_date          = {{Birth date and age|1950|07|20|df=yes}}
| birth_place         = [[London]], England
| spouse              = {{marriage|Mary Goodman|1984}}
| party               = [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative]]
| children            = 6
| residence           = [[Westminster]], London<br />[[Lincolnshire]], England
| alma_mater          = [[University College, Durham]] ([[Bachelor of Arts|BA]])
| profession          = [[Barrister]]
| website             = [http://www.edwardleigh.org.uk/ www.edwardleigh.org.uk]
| caption             = Official portrait, 2020
| unit                = [[Honourable Artillery Company|HAC]]
| branch              = [[British Army]]
| rank                = [[Trooper (rank)|Trooper]]
}}

'''Sir Edward Julian Egerton Leigh''' (born 20 July 1950) is a British [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative Party]] politician who has been the [[Member of Parliament (United Kingdom)|Member of Parliament]] (MP) for [[Gainsborough (UK Parliament constituency)|Gainsborough]], previously [[Gainsborough and Horncastle]], since [[1983 United Kingdom general election|1983]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gainsboroughconservatives.org.uk/people/sir-edward-leigh|title=Rt Hon Sir Edward Leigh MP|publisher=Gainsborough Conservatives|access-date=31 October 2019|archive-date=21 July 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240721153325/https://www.gainsboroughconservatives.org.uk/people/sir-edward-leigh|url-status=dead}}</ref> [[Parliament of the United Kingdom|Parliament]]'s  longest-serving MP since [[2024 United Kingdom general election|2024]], Leigh is [[Courtesy title|styled]] [[Father of the House (United Kingdom)|Father of the House]]<ref>[https://news.sky.com/story/edward-leigh-the-staunch-thatcherite-taking-centre-stage-as-the-new-father-of-the-house-13175292 www.sky.com]</ref> and, in July 2024, acted as a [[Deputy Speaker of the House of Commons|Temporary Deputy Speaker of the House of Commons]].<ref>[https://www.reuters.com/fact-check/edward-leigh-is-longest-serving-member-britains-parliament-not-jeremy-corbyn-2024-07-11/ www.reuters.com]</ref> He is also dean of Lincolnshire's Parliamentary Delegation.

Leigh has a reputation at [[Westminster]] for his independence of mind as a "serial rebeller",<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/eureferendum/11973490/David-Cameron-sparks-MPs-protests-in-the-Commons-by-sacking-three-serial-Tory-rebels-from-Europe-body.html|title=David Cameron sparks MPs' protests in the Commons by sacking three 'serial' Tory rebels from Europe body|work=The Telegraph|access-date=29 July 2017}}</ref> who is prepared to vote against his own political party if it conflicts with his own principles.<ref name="conservativehome.blogs.com">{{cite web|url=http://conservativehome.blogs.com/platform/2013/06/edward-leigh-mp.html|title=Sir Edward Leigh MP: After a weak Queen's Speech, we could lose the next election – unless we change course}}</ref> He was one of the original [[Maastricht Rebels]] and was reportedly sacked for organising Euro-rebels among ministers.<ref name="conservativehome.blogs.com"/> In 2003 Leigh opposed military intervention in Iraq;<ref name="Did your MP support the rebels">{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/2862397.stm|location=London, UK|work=The BBC|title=Did your MP support the rebels?|date=19 March 2003}}</ref> he has since called for those who voted for the [[Iraq War]], and are still seeking to justify their support for it, to be held to account.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://cornerstonegroup.wordpress.com/2016/07/14/on-the-chilcot-report/|title=On the Chilcot Report|date=14 July 2016|website=Cornerstone|access-date=29 July 2017}}</ref>

Leigh served as the [[Chairman]] of the [[Public Accounts Committee (United Kingdom)|Public Accounts Committee]] from 2001 to 2010, investigating government waste and seeking value for money in [[public expenditure]]. Leigh stepped down at the end of the [[parliamentary session]] in [[2010 United Kingdom general election|2010]], it being customary for an [[His Majesty's Most Loyal Opposition|Opposition MP]] to hold this post.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fm-world.co.uk/news/fm-industry-news/leigh-to-step-down-as-head-of-pac/|title=Leigh to step down as head of PAC|date=26 October 2009|work=FM World|access-date=1 April 2010|archive-date=6 October 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111006225051/http://www.fm-world.co.uk/news/fm-industry-news/leigh-to-step-down-as-head-of-pac/|url-status=dead}}</ref> Leigh was [[Knight Bachelor|knighted]] in the [[2013 Birthday Honours|Queen's 2013 Birthday Honours]] for "public and political service" and has also been honoured by the [[Government of France|French]] and [[Government of Italy|Italian]] governments.

A prominent Roman Catholic politician and former [[President (corporate title)|President]] of the [[Catholic Union of Great Britain]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=Former Presidents |url=https://catholicunion.org.uk/about/former-presidents/ |access-date=2024-04-18 |website=The Catholic Union of Great Britain |language=en-GB}}</ref> Leigh has edited and authored four books: ''Right Thinking'' (1988); ''The Nation That Forgot God'' (2008);<ref>{{cite book|title=The Nation That Forgot God: A Book of Essays|last=Leigh|first=Edward|date=31 March 2008|publisher=Social Affairs Unit|isbn=9781904863410|editor-last=Haydon|editor-first=Alex|location=London}}</ref> ''Monastery of the Mind'' (2012);<ref>{{cite book|title=Monastery of the Mind: A Pilgrimage with St Ignatius|last=Leigh|first=Sir Edward|date=31 July 2012|publisher=St Pauls Publishing|isbn=9780854398133}}</ref> and ''Another Country'' (2025).<ref>{{cite book|title=Another Country: A Journey Through the Liturgical Year in Sonnet and Haiku|last=Leigh|first=Sir Edward|date=May 2025|publisher=St Pauls Publishing|isbn=9781910365922}}</ref>

==Early life and career==
Edward Leigh was born on 20 July 1950 in London, the son of a civil servant, [[Neville Leigh|Sir Neville Leigh]], and his wife Denise ''née'' Branch. Sir Neville served in RAF intelligence during World War Two and was [[Clerk of the Privy Council (United Kingdom)|Clerk to the Privy Council]] between 1974 and 1984. The Leigh family hails from the [[History of Cheshire|Cheshire]] [[landed gentry]] family of [[High Legh#History|West Hall, High Legh]], descendants of the [[Egerton family#Earls of Bridgewater (1617)|Egertons, earls of Bridgewater]].

Leigh is a descendant of the family of the Roman Catholic martyr, blessed [[Richard Leigh (martyr)|Richard Leigh]] who was hanged at [[Tyburn]] during the Reformation in 1588 for being a Catholic priest, and beatified by [[Pope Pius XI]] in 1929.<ref>{{cite web |last=Shaw |first=Joseph |title=Letter in the Catholic Herald from Sir Edward Leigh MP |url=http://www.lmschairman.org/2023/06/letter-in-catholic-herald-from-sir.html |access-date=27 July 2023}}</ref>

His maternal grandfather, [[colonel]] Cyril Denzil Branc, was a nephew of [[Nikolai Golitsyn]], the last [[List of heads of government of Russia|Prime Minister of Imperial Russia]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Burke's Peerage – The Official Website |url=http://burkespeerage.com/ |access-date=31 October 2019 |website=burkespeerage.com}}</ref>

Leigh was privately educated at [[the Oratory School]] and the [[Lycée Français Charles de Gaulle]], before going up to [[University College, Durham]], where he read history ([[Bachelor of Arts|BA]]) and was elected President of the [[Durham Union Society]].

After graduating Leigh was [[called to the Bar]] at the [[Inner Temple]] and practised in arbitration and criminal law at Goldsmith Chambers (a [[barristers' chambers]]),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.goldsmithchambers.com/about-us/|title=About Us – Goldsmith Chambers}}</ref> then elected a [[Fellow]] of the [[Chartered Institute of Arbitrators]] (FCIArb). He also served as an [[Army Reserve (United Kingdom)|Army Reservist]] [[Trooper (rank)|Trooper]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://hansard.parliament.uk/commons/2013-10-17/debates/13101777000001/DefenceReforms|title = Defence Reforms – Thursday 17 October 2013 – Hansard – UK Parliament}}</ref> in the [[Honourable Artillery Company]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201314/cmhansrd/cm130717/debtext/130717-0002.htm#13071772001774 |title=Profile|website= publications.parliament.uk |accessdate= 14 July 2015}}</ref>

Leigh worked in the private office of [[Margaret Thatcher]] from 1976 to 1977 as a political secretary when she was [[Leader of the Opposition (United Kingdom)|Leader of the Opposition]]. Elected as a [[Councillor]] on [[Richmond upon Thames London Borough Council|Richmond Borough Council]] in 1974, Leigh was then elected to the [[Greater London Council]], representing [[Richmond (electoral division)|Richmond]], from 1977 to 1981. He lost his GLC seat to the [[Liberal Party (UK)|Liberal]] candidate, [[Adrian Slade]] by 115 votes.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.election.demon.co.uk/glc/glcrm.html |title=Greater London Council Election results: Richmond-upon-Thames |access-date=6 April 2006 |archive-date=5 May 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060505080451/http://www.election.demon.co.uk/glc/glcrm.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==Parliamentary career==
Leigh first stood for Parliament at the [[October 1974 United Kingdom general election|October 1974 general election]], when he unsuccessfully contested [[Middlesbrough (UK Parliament constituency)|Middlesbrough]], coming second with 24.4% of the vote behind the incumbent [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour Party]] MP [[Arthur Bottomley]].<ref>{{cite web |title=October 1974 General Election – Middlesbrough |url=https://api.parliament.uk/uk-general-elections/elections/20298 |website=[[Parliament.uk]] |access-date=17 August 2023}}</ref>

Leigh was elected to Parliament as MP for [[Gainsborough and Horncastle]] at the [[1983 United Kingdom general election|1983 general election]], winning with 50.9% of the vote and a majority of 5,067.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Election 1983 Results – Election Polling |url=https://www.electionpolling.co.uk/results/1983 |access-date=2024-02-24 |website=www.electionpolling.co.uk}}</ref> He was re-elected as MP for Gainsborough and Horncastle at the [[1987 United Kingdom general election|1987 general election]] with an increased vote share of 53.3% and an increased majority of 9,723.<ref>{{Cite web |title=1987 General Election – Elections |url=https://api.parliament.uk/uk-general-elections/general-elections/40/elections |access-date=2024-02-24 |website=api.parliament.uk |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Election 1987 Results – Election Polling |url=https://www.electionpolling.co.uk/results/1987 |access-date=2024-02-24 |website=www.electionpolling.co.uk}}</ref>

A strong supporter of Margaret Thatcher, Leigh visited [[10 Downing Street]] with fellow MP [[Michael Brown (UK politician)|Michael Brown]] on the morning of Thatcher's resignation as [[Prime Minister of the United Kingdom|Prime Minister]] in 1990 to try to persuade her to carry on.<ref name="Blundell2008">{{cite book|first=John |last=Blundell|title=Lady Thatcher: A Portrait|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hbyeLS83iEIC&pg=PA163|access-date=23 November 2012|date=September 2008|publisher=Algora Publishing|isbn=978-0-87586-631-4|pages=162–163}}</ref> Although [[Charles Powell, Baron Powell of Bayswater|Charles Powell]] advised them it was a forlorn task, they were nonetheless granted access to [[Cabinet (government)|the Cabinet]] which was in process at the time. Leigh and Brown departed 10 Downing Street and walked down [[Whitehall]] back to the [[House of Commons of the United Kingdom|House of Commons]] reputedly with "tears in their eyes". After Thatcher resigned, in the ensuing leadership election, Leigh supported [[Michael Heseltine]], under whom he had served at the [[Department of Trade and Industry (United Kingdom)|Department of Trade and Industry]] (DTI), preferring to support someone who had stabbed Thatcher in the front to those who had stabbed her in the back.<ref name="Criddle2012">{{cite book|first=Byron |last=Criddle|title=Almanac of British Politics|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bDtm2o0m7gIC&pg=PA385|access-date=23 November 2012|date=10 September 2012|publisher=Taylor & Francis|isbn=978-0-415-26833-2|page=385}}</ref>

At the [[1992 United Kingdom general election|1992 general election]], Leigh was again re-elected with an increased vote share of 54% and an increased majority of 16,245.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Election 1992 Results - Election Polling |url=https://www.electionpolling.co.uk/results/1992 |access-date=2024-02-24 |website=www.electionpolling.co.uk}}</ref>

Leigh served as a [[Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State]] under [[John Major]]'s premiership but was sacked in May 1993 over his opposition to the [[Maastricht Treaty]]. Whilst a [[Minister (government)|Minister]] he was a keen advocate of privatisation of the Post Office. In the [[1995 Conservative leadership election]], Leigh supported [[John Redwood]].<ref name="Criddle2012" />

Leigh's constituency of Gainsborough and Horncastle was abolished prior to the [[1997 United Kingdom general election|1997 general election]], and replaced with the new constituency of [[Gainsborough (UK Parliament constituency)|Gainsborough.]] At this election Leigh was elected, winning the seat with 43.1% of the vote and a majority of 6,826.<ref name="electoralcalculus1997">{{cite web |title=Election Data 1997 |url=http://www.electoralcalculus.co.uk/electdata_1997.txt |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111015054424/http://www.electoralcalculus.co.uk/electdata_1997.txt |archive-date=15 October 2011 |access-date=18 October 2015 |publisher=[[Electoral Calculus]]}}</ref> He was re-elected as MP for Gainsborough at the [[2001 United Kingdom general election|2001 general election]] with an increased vote share of 46.2% and an increased majority of 8,071.<ref name="electoralcalculus2001">{{cite web |title=Election Data 2001 |url=http://www.electoralcalculus.co.uk/electdata_2001ob.txt |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111015054450/http://www.electoralcalculus.co.uk/electdata_2001ob.txt |archive-date=15 October 2011 |access-date=18 October 2015 |publisher=[[Electoral Calculus]]}}</ref>

From 2001 until 2010, Leigh served as [[Public Accounts Committee (United Kingdom)|Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee]], the principal parliamentary body auditing the Budget, investigating government waste and seeking value for money in public expenditure. During his two terms as chairman, the PAC took evidence on 420 separate government projects and programmes and was responsible for saving the taxpayer over £4 billion.<ref>'[https://web.archive.org/web/20141210123554/http://www.thesundaytimes.co.uk/sto/news/uk_news/Society/article252950.ece An open letter to my successor as Chair of the Committee of Public Accounts]', by Edward Leigh MP, March 2010</ref>

At the [[2005 United Kingdom general election|2005 general election]], Leigh was again re-elected, with a decreased vote share of 43.9% and a decreased majority of 8,003.<ref name="electoralcalculus2005">{{cite web |title=Election Data 2005 |url=http://www.electoralcalculus.co.uk/electdata_2005ob.txt |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111015054249/http://www.electoralcalculus.co.uk/electdata_2005ob.txt |archive-date=15 October 2011 |access-date=18 October 2015 |publisher=[[Electoral Calculus]]}}</ref>

Leigh was President of the socially-conservative [[Cornerstone Group]] representing the views of over 40 Conservative Members of Parliament and was author of the group's inaugural pamphlet ''Faith, Flag and Family'' in 2005.<ref>{{cite news |date=29 July 2005 |title=Tory Catholic seeks to return 'faith, flag and family' to heart of party philosophy |url=http://archive.catholicherald.co.uk/article/29th-july-2005/3/tory-catholic-seeks-to-returnfaith-flag-and-family |access-date=14 July 2015 |work=Catholic Herald}}</ref>

In October 2006, Leigh was vocal in stating that after [[David Cameron]] became [[Leader of the Conservative Party (UK)|leader of the party]], core supporters were drifting away from voting Conservative.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2006/oct/02/comment.politics|title=Max Hastings: Cameron's big problem – the Conservative party|first=Max|last=Hastings|website=[[TheGuardian.com]] |date=1 October 2006}}</ref> Nonetheless, his effective chairmanship of the [[Public Accounts Committee (United Kingdom)|Public Accounts Committee]] led to the rejuvenation of his parliamentary career.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/comment/telegraph-view/10013176/An-artful-game-by-the-taxpayers-champion.html|title=An artful game by the taxpayers' champion|date=23 April 2013|access-date=31 October 2019|work=The Telegraph}}</ref>

Early in 2008, as Chairman of the PAC, Leigh was embarrassed by relying on flawed [[Department for Transport]] (DfT) statistics to attack motorcyclists for [[tax evasion]]. Accusing 38% of motorcyclists of evading [[vehicle excise duty]], he later apologised for this following the admission by the DfT that 95.5% of motorcycles are entirely legal.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/7268854.stm|title=MPs apologise for motorbike error|date=28 February 2008|work=BBC News Online|publisher=BBC|access-date=15 January 2011}}</ref>

At the [[2010 United Kingdom general election|2010 general election]], Leigh was again re-elected, with an increased vote share of 49.3% and an increased majority of 10,559.<ref name="electoralcalculus2010">{{cite web |title=Election Data 2010 |url=http://www.electoralcalculus.co.uk/electdata_2010.txt |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130726162034/http://www.electoralcalculus.co.uk/electdata_2010.txt |archive-date=26 July 2013 |access-date=17 October 2015 |publisher=[[Electoral Calculus]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=7 May 2010 |title=UK > England > East Midlands > Gainsborough |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/shared/election2010/results/constituency/b79.stm |access-date=11 May 2010 |work=Election 2010 |publisher=BBC}}</ref>

From 2010 to 2011, Leigh served as an Independent Financial Advisor to [[HM Treasury]], appointed by [[George Osborne]] to bring external challenge to the development and implementation of a new financial management strategy for central government. He stood down in 2011, but was then reappointed to report directly to the [[Chancellor of the Exchequer]] on improving Parliament's financial scrutiny of the Budget. He was a member of the Treasury Financial Reporting & Advisory Board and, in 2010, Leigh became a delegate to the [[Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe]], speaking regularly and serving on the [[European Parliament Committee on Culture and Education|Culture, Science, Education and Media Committee]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.edwardleigh.org.uk/tags/council-of-europe/|title=Council of Europe – Edward Leigh MP – Gainsborough}}{{Dead link|date=August 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> Leigh also supported [[Boris Johnson]]'s call to George Osborne in 2011 for lowering the rate of taxation in the UK so as to assist its economic recovery following the [[credit crunch]].<ref>''The Evening Standard'': [http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/article-23918264-boris-johnson-urges-george-osborne-over-lower-taxes.do Leigh joins call for lower taxes] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110201024842/http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/article-23918264-boris-johnson-urges-george-osborne-over-lower-taxes.do|date=1 February 2011}}</ref>

At the end of 2010 Leigh was offered but declined the [[Government of the United Kingdom|British]] [[ambassadorship]] to the [[Holy See]].<ref>''The Daily Telegraph''. [https://web.archive.org/web/20110111040852/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/religion/8246963/Criticism-as-David-Cameron-sends-trouble-shooter-to-the-Vatican.html Leigh turns down appointment as UK Ambassador to The Vatican]</ref> Leigh, an [[Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe|Assembly Member]] of the [[Council of Europe]],<ref>{{cite web|title=PACE Member File Edward Leigh|url=http://www.assembly.coe.int/nw/xml/AssemblyList/MP-Details-EN.asp?MemberID=6670|website=www.assembly.coe.int|access-date=12 December 2017}}</ref> opposed further human rights legislation, as proposed by the [[European Court of Human Rights]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/comment/columnists/charlesmoore/8333820/If-we-want-our-human-rights-then-bring-them-back-home.html |title=If we want our human rights then bring them back home |website= Telegraph.co.uk |accessdate= 14 July 2015}}</ref>

In 2011, Leigh was appointed Chairman of the [[Public Accounts Commission]], the body which audits the [[National Audit Office (United Kingdom)|National Audit Office]].

In 2012, Leigh, together with a record number of fellow Conservative MPs, including numerous [[Privy Counsellor]]s, successfully voted against the [[United Kingdom coalition government (2010–2015)|Coalition Government]]'s attempted railroading of [[House of Lords Reform Bill 2012|House of Lords]] [[Reform of the House of Lords|reform]] by limiting time for meaningful parliamentary debate on this major constitutional issue.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.sky.com/story/pm-pledges-one-more-try-at-lords-reform-10476236|title= PM pledges one more try at Lords reform|work=Sky News|date=11 July 2012|access-date= 14 July 2015}}</ref>

In September 2014, Leigh criticised the Government's decision to allow [[Mitochondrial disease#Management and prevention|mitochondrial replacement therapy]]{{Broken anchor|date=2025-07-09|bot=User:Cewbot/log/20201008/configuration|target_link=Mitochondrial disease#Management and prevention|reason= The anchor (Management and prevention) [[Special:Diff/623949490|has been deleted]].|diff_id=623949490}} to prevent the birth of the children with incurable diseases such as muscular dystrophy. These diseases affect up to 1 in 6,500 babies which Leigh stated could lead to people being "harvested for their parts" and a divide between what he referred to as "the modified and the unmodified". The [[Department for Health]] asserted no genetic modification is involved.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/11069117/Britain-will-be-considered-a-rogue-state-if-it-creates-GM-people-MP-warns.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140903043005/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/11069117/Britain-will-be-considered-a-rogue-state-if-it-creates-GM-people-MP-warns.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=3 September 2014|title=Britain will be considered a 'rogue state' if it creates GM people, MP warns|author=Press Association|work=Daily Telegraph|date=1 September 2014|access-date=2 September 2014}}</ref>

In 2015, the French President [[François Hollande]] appointed him to the [[Légion d'honneur]] for his role as "a bridge between our parliaments, our governments and our societies", as stated by [[Sylvie Bermann|Ambassador Sylvie Bermann]] at his investiture.<ref name=":0">{{cite web|title=Sir Edward Leigh is made an Officier in the Légion d'Honneur|url=http://www.ambafrance-uk.org/Sir-Edward-Leigh-is-made-an-Officier-in-the-Legion-d-Honneur|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190226064849/https://uk.ambafrance.org/Sir-Edward-Leigh-is-made-an-Officier-in-the-Legion-d-Honneur|archive-date=26 February 2019}}</ref>

Sir Edward was again re-elected at the [[2015 United Kingdom general election|2015 general election]] with an increased vote share of 52.7% and an increased majority of 15,449.<ref name="electoralcalculus">{{cite web |title=Election Data 2015 |url=http://www.electoralcalculus.co.uk/electdata_2015.txt |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151017112223/http://www.electoralcalculus.co.uk/electdata_2015.txt |archive-date=17 October 2015 |access-date=17 October 2015 |publisher=[[Electoral Calculus]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Gainsborough parliamentary constituency |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/politics/constituencies/E14000707 |access-date=8 May 2015 |work=BBC News}}</ref>

In March 2016, he joined three other Conservative MPs in "talking out" a Bill introduced by [[Green Party of England and Wales|Green Party]] MP [[Dr Caroline Lucas]], which aimed to reverse moves to privatise the [[NHS]]. By [[filibustering]] for three and a half hours, Lucas was left with just 17 minutes to present her Bill, which was subsequently shelved without a vote.<ref>[https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/nhs-reinstatement-bill-tory-mps-filibuster-debate-by-talking-about-deporting-foreigners-for-hours-a6925781.html NHS Reinstatement Bill: Tory MPs filibuster debate by talking about deporting foreigners for hours]. ''The Independent''. Published 11 March 2016. Retrieved 3 November 2017.</ref>

Leigh was again returned to Parliament at the snap [[2017 United Kingdom general election|2017 general election]] with an increased vote share of 61.8% and an increased majority of 17,023.<ref>{{cite web |title=UK Parliamentary General Election – 8 June 2017 |url=https://www.west-lindsey.gov.uk/my-council/electoral-registration-and-elections/uk-parliamentary-general-election-8-june-2017/ |access-date=13 May 2017 |publisher=West Lindsey District Council}}{{dead link|date=May 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> He was one of 21 MPs who, in March 2019, voted against LGBT-inclusive sex and relationship education in English schools.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://inews.co.uk/news/education/lgbt-sex-relationship-education-mps-support/|title=MPs vote for LGBT inclusive sex and relationship education from primary school|first=Benjamin|last=Butterworth|date=28 March 2019|website=inews.co.uk}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://commonsvotes.digiminster.com/Divisions/Details/650#noes|title=Draft Relationships Education, Relationships and Sex Education and Health Education (England) Regulations 2019 – CommonsVotes|website=commonsvotes.digiminster.com|access-date=29 March 2019|archive-date=29 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190329025226/https://commonsvotes.digiminster.com/Divisions/Details/650#noes|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Re-elected at the [[2019 United Kingdom general election|2019 general election]], with an increased vote share of 66.4% and an increased majority of 22,967,<ref>{{cite news |title=Gainsborough Parliamentary constituency |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/politics/constituencies/E14000707 |access-date=20 November 2019 |website=BBC News |publisher=BBC}}</ref> in August 2020, Leigh suggested that the UK [[Siege of Calais (1558)|take back]] [[Calais]] to prevent migrants seeking asylum by [[English Channel illegal migrant crossings (2018–present)|crossing the English Channel]] from France.<ref>{{cite web|last=Demianyk|first=Graeme|date=12 August 2020|title=A Tory MP Has Suggested 'Taking Back Calais' As Solution To Migrant Crossings|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/edward-leigh-calais-migrant-crossings_uk_5f3430c1c5b64cc99fe1759a|access-date=13 August 2020|website=The Huffington Post}}</ref>

On 1 March 2022, Leigh praised Home Secretary [[Priti Patel]]'s 'proportionate response' over admission of refugees into the UK from the [[2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine|Russian invasion of Ukraine]]. Speaking in the Commons, Sir Edward urged the Government "to listen to the voices of people from, for instance in Lincolnshire, where we feel we have done our bit in terms of migration from eastern Europe where we are under extreme pressure in terms of housing and jobs." Despite receiving criticism for these remarks by Labour councillors on Lincolnshire County Council,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.itv.com/news/calendar/2022-03-02/weve-done-our-bit-mp-faces-backlash-over-comments-on-ukraine-refugee-crisis|title='We've done our bit' MP faces backlash over comments on Ukraine refugee crisis|work=ITV News|date=2 March 2022}}</ref> at the [[2024 United Kingdom general election|2024 general election]], Leigh was again re-elected, albeit with a decreased vote share of 35.6% and a decreased majority of 3,532.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/election/2024/uk/constituencies/E14001243 | title=Gainsborough – General election results 2024 | work=BBC News }}</ref>

Succeeding [[Sir Peter Bottomley]] as [[Father of the House (United Kingdom)|Father of the House]] after the election,<ref>[https://members.parliament.uk/member/345/career www.parliament.uk]</ref> in July 2024, Leigh was appointed a [[Deputy Speaker of the House of Commons|Temporary Deputy Speaker]] acting as [[Chairman of Ways and Means]] until Deputy Speakers for the new parliament were elected.<ref>[https://erskinemay.parliament.uk/section/6524/election-of-deputy-speakers-in-the-commons www.erskinemay.parliament.uk]</ref>

== Views ==
{{Conservatism UK|Politicians}}

Leigh is a [[Roman Catholic]], and maintains a personal blog called ''Thoughts from a Christian perspective''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://anothercountry.edwardleigh.org.uk/|title=Another Country &#124; Thoughts from a Christian perspective — by Edward Leigh|access-date=31 October 2019}}</ref> He is a Patron of the [[Latin Mass Society]], which promotes the use of the [[Tridentine Mass|1962 form]] of the [[Mass (liturgy)|Mass]].<ref name="LMS">{{cite web |last1=Moselin |first1=Stephen |title=New Patrons for the Latin Mass Society |url=https://lms.org.uk/blog/new-patrons-latin-mass-society |website=Latin Mass Society |publisher=[[Latin Mass Society of England and Wales]] |access-date=17 February 2023 |date=9 January 2023}}</ref> He supports [[socially conservative]] causes in Parliament to promote traditional [[family values]], including introducing policies to reduce the tax burden on working families.<ref>{{cite web |date=17 May 2022 |title=Reduce the Burden on Working Families |url=https://www.edwardleigh.org.uk/news/reduce-burden-working-families |access-date=28 July 2023 |website=Sir Edward Leigh }}</ref> He has argued for tightening of [[abortion law]] regarding [[Embryonic stem cell|human embryonic]] research.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/mps-throw-out-bids-to-reduce-abortion-limit-831577.html|title=MPs throw out bids to reduce abortion limit|website=[[Independent.co.uk]] |date=20 May 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2013/10/09/tory-mp-abortion-female-foetus_n_4071551.html|title=The Most Dangerous Position In Britain Today Is... 'To Be A Female Foetus'|date=9 October 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2008/may/19/health.health|title=Ban on hybrid embryos and saviour siblings fails|first=Andrew|last=Sparrow|website=[[TheGuardian.com]] |date=19 May 2008}}</ref>

He defended [[Section 28]] and opposed the [[Civil Partnership Act 2004]], voting against it in Parliament at its [[Reading (legislature)|Second Reading]]. Leigh later proposed an amendment to extend the property and pension rights afforded by [[civil partnership]]s to siblings who had lived together for more than 12 years. This was opposed by many backers of the initial [[Bill (law)|Bill]], such as fellow Conservative MP [[Sir Alan Duncan]], who dubbed it a [[wrecking amendment]].<ref name='ePolitix 2004-11-09'>{{cite web|url=http://www.epolitix.com/latestnews/article-detail/newsarticle/conservatives-split-on-civil-partnerships/?no_cache=1 |title=Conservatives split on civil partnerships |access-date=13 January 2010 |last=Davie |first=Edward |date=9 November 2004 |publisher=ePolitix.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604180419/http://www.epolitix.com/latestnews/article-detail/newsarticle/conservatives-split-on-civil-partnerships/?no_cache=1 |archive-date=4 June 2011 |url-status=usurped  }}</ref><ref name='Changing Attitude'>{{cite web|url=http://www.changingattitude.org.uk/news/newsitem.asp?id=72|title=Civil Partnership bill wrecking amendment defeated|last=Coward|first=Colin|date=9 November 2004|publisher=Changing Attitude|archive-url=https://archive.today/20070607205416/http://www.changingattitude.org.uk/news/newsitem.asp?id=72|archive-date=7 June 2007|url-status=dead}}</ref> He voted against recent amendments to the [[Health and Care Act 2022|Health and Social Care Bill]] which has made permanent the permission for at-home medical abortions to take place.<ref>{{cite web |date=30 March 2022 |title=Evidence Shows Women's Health Threatened by At-Home Abortion |url=https://www.edwardleigh.org.uk/news/evidence-shows-womens-health-threatened-home-abortion |access-date=28 July 2023 |website=Sir Edward Leigh }}</ref>

Following an interim report on the connections between [[colonialism]] and properties now in the care of the [[National Trust]], including links with [[Atlantic slave trade|historic slavery]], Leigh was among the signatories of a letter to ''[[The Daily Telegraph|The Telegraph]]'' in November 2020 from the "[[Common Sense Group]]" of Conservative Parliamentarians. The letter accused the National Trust of being "coloured by [[cultural Marxist]] dogma, colloquially known as the '[[Woke#2019–present: as a pejorative|woke]] agenda'".<ref>{{cite letter |recipient=the ''Daily Telegraph'' |subject=Britain's heroes |date=9 November 2020 |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/opinion/2020/11/09/letterswill-police-break-armistice-day-ceremonies-wednesday/ |access-date=30 January 2021}}</ref>

Leigh identifies as a socially Conservative [[Thatcherite]] and believes in "free enterprise, deregulation, low taxation and a smaller state". In June 2018 he suggested reforming the [[National Health Service]], stating: "I personally feel we have to look at social insurance, which they have in France and Germany, because there is no room for increases in general taxation."<ref>{{cite news |last1=Daly |first1=Patrick |title='I was a mini bastard': Sir Edward Leigh looks back on his 35 years as an MP |url=https://www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk/news/grimsby-news/i-mini-bastard-sir-edward-1677567 |access-date=7 April 2021 |work=Grimsby Live |date=20 June 2018}}</ref>

During the COVID lockdown, Leigh advocated for keeping churches open for worship, arguing that there was no scientific evidence to justify a total ban on public worship.<ref name="Herald">{{cite web |title=Sir Edward Leigh MP: No evidence for ban on public worship |url=https://catholicherald.co.uk/ch/sir-edward-leigh-mp-no-evidence-for-ban-on-public-worship/ |access-date=27 July 2023 |website=Catholic Herald }}</ref>

In June 2023, Leigh, along with Conservative MPs [[Sir Christopher Chope]] and [[Ian Liddell-Grainger]], were photographed with the Hungarian prime minister [[Viktor Orbán]] at a gathering of the [[European Conservatives Group and Democratic Alliance]], an increasingly populist block in the [[Council of Europe]]'s parliamentary assembly. [[Christine Jardine]], Cabinet spokesperson for the [[Liberal Democrats (UK)|Liberal Democrats]], condemned the image, stating: "Conservative MPs should not be cosying up to a far-right leader who has enforced [[homophobic]] and anti-democratic policies."<ref name=":1">{{cite news |last=Walker |first=Peter |date=2023-06-06 |title=Tory MPs accused of 'cosying up' to far-right Hungarian leader Orbán |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2023/jun/06/tory-mps-accused-of-cosying-up-to-far-right-hungarian-leader-viktor-orban |access-date=2023-06-06 |work=The Guardian |issn=0261-3077}}</ref>

In November 2024, Leigh co-wrote a piece in ''[[The Guardian]]'' with [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour]] MP [[Diane Abbott]] opposing [[Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill|Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life)]] on [[Assisted suicide in the United Kingdom|Assisted Suicide]] Bill.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Abbott |first1=Diane |last2=Leigh |first2=Edward |title=Our politics could not be more different – but we’re united against this dangerous assisted dying bill |url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2024/nov/20/politics-dangerous-assisted-dying-bill-law-illegal |access-date=20 November 2024 |work=The Guardian |date=20 November 2024}}</ref>

===Opposition to Conservative leadership===
On a number of occasions Leigh has voted against the leadership of his party where it conflicts with his personal [[principle]]s.<ref name="conservativehome.blogs.com"/> In 2003, Leigh rebelled against the leadership of his own party and the Labour government to [[Opposition to the Iraq War|oppose military intervention in Iraq]] in 2003.<ref name="Did your MP support the rebels"/> He was one of only 15 Conservative rebels who opposed it at the time.

Since the [[2016 United Kingdom European Union membership referendum|2016 European Union Referendum]], Leigh has supported [[Brexit]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://blogs.spectator.co.uk/2016/02/which-tory-mps-back-brexit-who-doesnt-and-who-is-still-on-the-fence/|title=Which Tory MPs back Brexit, who doesn't and who is still on the fence? – Coffee House|date=16 February 2016|access-date=7 December 2016|archive-date=22 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161022111657/http://blogs.spectator.co.uk/2016/02/which-tory-mps-back-brexit-who-doesnt-and-who-is-still-on-the-fence/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In October 2017, the House of Commons overwhelmingly passed an Opposition motion to delay the introduction of [[Universal Credit]] and iron out problems with the system first. Leigh strongly criticised the Government decision to ignore the vote, stating: "the road to tyranny is paved by executives ignoring parliaments."<ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2017/oct/19/were-not-ignoring-you-but-vote-doesnt-bind-pms-deputy-tells-mps We're not ignoring you but vote doesn't bind, PM's deputy tells MPs] ''[[The Guardian]]'' 19 October 2017</ref>

===Speakership elections===
A veteran [[backbencher]], Leigh was encouraged to run for the [[Speaker of the House of Commons (United Kingdom)|speakership of the House of Commons]], and after the [[2010 United Kingdom general election|2010 general election]] for one of the [[Chairman of Ways and Means|Deputy Speakerships]], but chose not to stand then as [[Constitutional convention (political custom)|parliamentary convention]] was that governing party members were not to be elected to such offices unless already ''[[in situ]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/EdwardLeighMP/status/1121367417509351424|title=When a vacancy occurs I intend to stand for the office of Speaker. I would be a traditional Speaker who does not speak much. Like a judge I would, by my conduct and dress, submerge my personality into the office.|last=Leigh|first=Sir Edward |date=25 April 2019|website=@EdwardLeighMP|access-date=25 April 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.lincolnshirelive.co.uk/news/local-news/sir-edward-leigh-reveals-wants-2796354|title=Sir Edward Leigh says he wants to replace Bercow and become Speaker|last=Lodge|first=Matthew|date=25 April 2019|website=lincolnshirelive|access-date=25 April 2019}}</ref>

Leigh ran for the speakership of the House of Commons in [[2019 Speaker of the British House of Commons election|2019]] after [[Speaker of the House of Commons (United Kingdom)|Speaker]] [[John Bercow]] retired; he stated that, if elected Speaker, he would be fair to all sides and assume a traditional role.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.politicshome.com/news/uk/politics/opinion/house-commons/106453/sir-edward-leigh-if-elected-speaker-i-would-submerge|title=Sir Edward Leigh: If elected Speaker, I would submerge my personality into the office and keep business flowing|date=11 September 2019|website=PoliticsHome.com|access-date=31 October 2019}}</ref> He was eliminated after receiving 12 votes in the first ballot.

===All-Party Parliamentary Groups===
Fluent in [[French language|French]], Leigh currently serves as Chairman of the [[All-Party Parliamentary Group]] on France and the [[All-Party Parliamentary Group]] on Italy, delivering a speech in [[Italian language|Italian]] at the [[Palace of Westminster]] to visiting [[Chamber of Deputies (Italy)|Deputies of the Italian Parliament]]. He is also the Chairman of the new [[All-Party Parliamentary Group]] on Russia, Secretary of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Insurance, and Chairman of the Foreign Affairs, Defence, and International Development subcommittee of the [[1922 Committee]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.parliament.uk/biographies/commons/sir-edward-leigh/345|title=Rt Hon Sir Edward Leigh MP|website=UK Parliament|access-date=31 October 2019}}</ref>

==Honours==
[[File:Blason Fr famille Labetz (Mixe).svg|thumb|right|100px|Leigh arms]]
Leigh received the [[Orders, decorations, and medals of the United Kingdom|accolade of the Realm]] for "public and political service":<ref name=gaz31712>{{London Gazette|issue=60534 |supp=y |page=1|date=15 June 2013}}</ref><ref name='HM Birthday Honours 2013'>{{cite web | url = https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/206698/Birthday_Honours_List_2013.pdf | title = Birthday Honours List 2013 | access-date = 14 June 2013 | date = 14 June 2013 | publisher = HM Government}}</ref>
* [[Image:Knight-Bachelor.ribbon.png|45px]] [[Knight Bachelor]] (2013)
* [[File:Legion Honneur Officier ribbon.svg|45px]] [[Officer|Officier]] of the [[Légion d'honneur]] (2015)
* [[File:Commendatore OSSI medal BAR.svg|45px]] [[Commander (order)|Commander]] of the [[Order of the Star of Italy]] (2017)
* [[File:SMOM-gc.svg|45px]] [[Orders, decorations, and medals of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta|Knight of Honour and Devotion]] of the [[Sovereign Military Order of Malta]] (1994)
* [[File:Privy Council Arms of the office (St Edwards Crown).svg|25px]] [[Privy Counsellor]] (13 February [[2019 New Year Honours|2019]]).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/privy-council-appointments-december-2018|title=Privy Council appointments December 2018|website=GOV.UK}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://privycouncil.independent.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/2019-02-13-List-of-Business-1.pdf |title=BUSINESS TRANSACTED AND ORDERS APPROVED AT THE PRIVY COUNCIL HELD BY THE QUEEN AT BUCKINGHAM PALACE ON 13TH FEBRUARY 2019  |last=Tilbrook |first=Richard |date=13 February 2019 |website=The Privy Council Office |access-date=29 November 2023 }}</ref>

==Personal life==
Leigh married Mary Goodman in London on 25 September 1984, the granddaughter of [[Duke Georg Alexander of Mecklenburg-Strelitz#Marriage|Countess Maria von Carlow]] and great-granddaughter of [[Duke Georg Alexander of Mecklenburg-Strelitz]] through her mother,<ref>[https://mecklenburg-strelitz.org/history/genealogy/ www.mecklenburg-strelitz.org]</ref> and the great-grandchild of the Arts patron [[Lady Ottoline Morrell]] and British politician [[Philip Morrell]], through her father.

Sir Edward and Lady Leigh have six children (Natalia, Tamara Shah, Benedict, Marina, Nicholas, and Theodore) and divide their time between homes in [[Westminster]] and his [[Lincolnshire]] constituency. Their three eldest children work for [[HM Government]] as [[Civil Service (United Kingdom)|civil servants]]. The family are parishioners at the [[Brompton Oratory]], [[Westminster Cathedral]] in London and [[Holy Rood Church, Market Rasen|Holy Rood Church]] in [[Market Rasen]], in his Gainsborough constituency, and members of [[The Serpentine|the Serpentine Swimming Club]].<ref name="Herald" />

Suffering from the skin condition [[rosacea]], Sir Edward spoke out in March 2020 about being mocked on [[social media]] for his appearance.<ref>{{cite news |title=Sir Edward Leigh speaks out about 'red face' mocking |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-51852521 |access-date=7 April 2021 |work=BBC News |date=12 March 2020}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category}}
{{Wikiquote}}
* [http://www.edwardleigh.org.uk/ Sir Edward Leigh MP official website]
* [http://anothercountry.edwardleigh.org.uk/ Another Country – personal blog containing 'Thoughts from a Christian perspective']
* {{UK MP links |parliament=sir-edward-leigh/345 |hansardcurr=1455 |hansard=mr-edward-leigh |publicwhip=Edward_Leigh |theywork=edward_leigh}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20120908183520/http://www.debretts.com/people/biographies/browse/l/1207/Edward+Julian.aspx ''Debrett's People of Today'']
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20051101005248/http://www.parliament.uk/parliamentary_committees/committee_of_public_accounts.cfm Public Accounts Committee]
*{{C-SPAN|1000994}}
{{S-start}}
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{{s-bef|before=[[Marcus Kimball]]}}
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{{s-new|constituency}}
{{s-ttl|title=Member of Parliament<br />for [[Gainsborough (UK Parliament constituency)|Gainsborough]]|years= [[1997 United Kingdom general election|1997]]–present}}
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{{s-ttl|title=[[Public Accounts Committee (United Kingdom)|Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee]]|years=2001–2010}}
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{{Fathers of the House}}
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{{Chairs of the Public Accounts Select Committee}}
{{2019 Speaker of the British House of Commons election}}{{Conservative Party UK MPs}}{{Authority control}}

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