Julian Lewis

Julian Lewis is a British politician who has served as the Member of Parliament for New Forest East since the 2001 general election. A long-standing member of the Conservative Party, he has built a reputation as a formidable parliamentarian with a deep expertise in defence policy and national security. His career has been marked by significant roles on influential committees, including a notable period as Chairman of the Intelligence and Security Committee of Parliament.

Early life and education

He was born in Swansea, Wales, and attended Dynevor School before pursuing higher education. He studied at Balliol College, Oxford, where he was awarded a DPhil in politics. His academic focus continued at the University of Sussex, where he was a research fellow at the Science Policy Research Unit. During this period, he developed a strong interest in strategic studies, contributing to debates on Cold War deterrence and publishing work that examined nuclear strategy.

Political career

Elected to the House of Commons in 2001, he quickly became involved in defence scrutiny. He served for many years on the Defence Select Committee, establishing himself as a critical voice on issues ranging from equipment procurement to military operations. In 2015, he was elected by fellow MPs to the Intelligence and Security Committee of Parliament, a key body overseeing the work of agencies like MI5 and MI6. His most prominent moment came in 2020 when he was elected Chairman of that committee, a move that involved bypassing the preferred candidate of then-Prime Minister Boris Johnson, which led to his brief expulsion from the Conservative Party. He has also served as a member of the Joint Committee on the National Security Strategy.

Political positions and views

He is widely regarded as a staunch Atlanticist and a strong supporter of the UK–US relationship and NATO. His views are often characterized as Eurosceptic, and he was a prominent campaigner for a 'Leave' vote in the 2016 EU referendum. A dedicated advocate for robust defence spending, he has frequently criticized government decisions he perceives as weakening the Armed Forces. His positions often align with the Conservative Way Forward group, and he has been a consistent critic of what he views as excessive judicial activism.

Electoral history

He first contested the Swansea West constituency in the 1992 general election, finishing second behind Labour candidate Alan Williams. He was selected for the safe Conservative seat of New Forest East prior to the 2001 election, succeeding David Day. He has been re-elected in every subsequent general election, including the 2005, 2010, 2015, 2017, and 2019 contests, often with substantial majorities.

Personal life

He is married to Dr. Lily Lewis, a former NHS physician. His interests outside politics include history, particularly military history, and music. He is a supporter of the Countryside Alliance and is known for his involvement in local issues within the New Forest district. An avid reader, his published works include the book Changing Direction: British Military Planning for Post-war Strategic Defence, 1942-1947.

Category:Conservative Party (UK) MPs Category:Members of the Parliament of the United Kingdom for English constituencies Category:Alumni of Balliol College, Oxford