Nick Herbert
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| Nick Herbert | |
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| Name | Nick Herbert |
| Birth date | 1963-04-10 |
| Birth place | Westminster, London |
| Alma mater | University of Oxford (Magdalen College, Oxford) |
| Occupation | Politician |
| Party | Conservative Party (UK) |
| Office | Member of Parliament for Arundel and South Downs |
| Term start | 2005 |
| Term end | 2019 |
Nick Herbert
Nick Herbert is a British politician and author who served as the Member of Parliament for Arundel and South Downs from 2005 to 2019 and as a minister in the Cabinet Office and the Home Office under Prime Ministers David Cameron and Theresa May. He has been associated with the Conservative Party (UK)'s modernizing wing and engaged with issues spanning criminal justice reform, civil liberties, and liberal conservatism. Herbert has also written on public policy and contributed to debates on privacy law, counter-terrorism policy, and party organization.
Early life and education
Born in Westminster, London, Herbert was educated at Eton College and later read Philosophy, Politics and Economics at Magdalen College, Oxford, part of the University of Oxford. At Oxford he participated in student politics and debating, engaging with societies linked to figures in British politics and public policy circles. His early career included work with think tanks and political advisers connected to the Conservative Research Department and other policy institutes.
Political career
Herbert began his parliamentary ambitions contesting earlier marginal seats before being elected MP for Arundel and South Downs in the 2005 general election, succeeding a retiring Conservative predecessor. In Parliament he served on committees related to Home Affairs and contributed to debates on criminal justice and civil liberties, aligning with colleagues from the moderate pro-market wing of the Conservative Party (UK). He was re-elected in subsequent general elections until 2019, participating in internal party contests including a leadership bid in the 2005 Conservative Party leadership election and later contesting shadow portfolios during periods in opposition.
Ministerial roles
Herbert was appointed to government roles following the 2010 coalition formation between the Conservative Party (UK) and the Liberal Democrats (UK), serving initially in ministerial posts with responsibilities in the Ministry of Justice and the Home Office. He held the ministerial brief for policing and victims' rights and was later promoted to a role in the Cabinet Office as a minister for civil liberties and security policy under Prime Minister David Cameron. Under Prime Minister Theresa May he was appointed as a minister of state in the Home Office, where he worked on programmes intersecting with counter-terrorism policy, surveillance law, and reforms linked to the Criminal Justice Act. His ministerial tenure involved collaboration with senior figures such as Theresa May, Robert Buckland, and Nick Clegg on cross-departmental initiatives.
Political positions and controversies
Herbert positioned himself as a liberal conservative advocating for reform on issues of civil liberties, policing, and the balance between security and privacy law. He supported modernising measures within the Conservative Party (UK) and called for changes to party structures during debates involving leaders like David Cameron and Michael Howard. Controversies during his career included public disagreements over counter-terrorism legislation, disputes with civil liberties groups such as Liberty (advocacy group), and criticism from parliamentary opponents including members of the Labour Party (UK) and the Liberal Democrats (UK) over policy specifics. His stance on welfare reform and local planning issues occasionally drew opposition from activists and regional MPs in West Sussex and neighbouring constituencies.
Post-parliamentary activities
After standing down from the House of Commons in 2019, Herbert engaged in commentating, writing, and consultancy work on public policy, contributing to debates in outlets frequented by political figures including former cabinet ministers and think tanks across the political spectrum. He joined boards and advisory panels associated with organisations focusing on criminal justice reform, data protection, and party renewal, collaborating with groups linked to figures from both centre-right and liberal movements. Herbert also participated in lecture series and conferences alongside academics from institutions such as the London School of Economics and the Institute for Government.
Personal life and honours
Herbert is married with children and has been active in constituency life in Arundel and South Downs National Park communities. His interests include local heritage, countryside matters, and issues related to rural development, leading to engagement with organisations connected to environmental stewardship and regional charities. He has received party recognitions and local civic honours during his career and continues to be cited in discussions involving former ministers and commentators such as William Hague and Michael Gove.
Category:1963 births Category:Living people Category:Conservative Party (UK) MPs Category:Members of the Parliament of the United Kingdom for English constituencies Category:Alumni of Magdalen College, Oxford