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| Simon Fell (politician) | |
|---|---|
| Name | Simon Fell |
| Nationality | British |
| Occupation | Politician |
| Party | Conservative Party |
| Office | Member of Parliament for Barrow and Furness |
| Term start | 2019 |
Simon Fell (politician) is a British politician who has served as the Member of Parliament for Barrow and Furness since the 2019 general election. He represents the Conservative Party and has been active on issues relating to shipbuilding, defence procurement, and regional development in Cumbria. His parliamentary tenure intersects with national debates involving the Parliament, the Cabinet, and departmental bodies such as the Ministry of Defence.
Fell was born and raised in Cumbria and attended local schools before pursuing higher education at institutions tied to Lancaster University and vocational training linked with regional industry partners. During his formative years he engaged with community organisations including local branches of the Rotary movement and networks connected to the Federation of Small Businesses, shaping links to stakeholders in Barrow-in-Furness. His educational background combined academic studies with placements relevant to shipbuilding and maritime sectors prevalent in Barrow and Furness.
Before entering national politics, Fell worked in private-sector roles connected to industrial engineering and manufacturing firms operating in the North West England region, collaborating with suppliers to major contractors such as BAE Systems and local employers in the shipbuilding supply chain. He served on boards and advisory panels for regional development bodies, interacting with organisations like the Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership and trade groups representing trade unions and employer federations. Fell also engaged with community institutions including the Barrow-in-Furness Town Council and charitable trusts supporting heritage projects connected to the Furness Abbey and maritime museums.
Elected at the 2019 general election, Fell took his seat in the House of Commons and became involved in select committees and all-party parliamentary groups concerned with defence, transport, and industrial strategy. He participated in parliamentary activity addressing delivery programmes associated with the Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carrier and Type 26 frigate contracts, interacting with departments including the Department for Transport and the Department for Business and Trade. Fell has contributed to debates during sittings presided over by the Speaker of the House of Commons and voted in divisions reflecting his constituency priorities. His tenure has coincided with national events such as the COVID-19 pandemic response and legislative programmes introduced by successive Prime Ministers.
Fell's voting record aligns broadly with the Conservative Party whip on matters including industrial contracts and fiscal policy. He has supported positions advocating for defence investment tied to the Ministry of Defence procurement pipeline and has voted on legislation concerning regional infrastructure funding with reference to proposals from the Treasury. On social and constitutional questions he has followed Conservative leadership on key divisions in the House of Commons, often emphasizing constituency impact tied to projects at BAE Systems yards in Barrow-in-Furness and supply-chain implications for firms registered with Companies House. Fell has engaged with all-party groups on energy policy involving stakeholders such as National Grid and has responded to consultations from the Environment Agency on coastal and flood resilience.
In parliament and locally, Fell has campaigned for delivery of naval contracts for shipbuilders in Barrow-in-Furness and promoted investment in transport links connecting to the West Coast Main Line and regional road improvements under schemes discussed with Highways England. He has backed initiatives for skills training through partnerships with institutions like Lancaster University and local colleges to support apprenticeships with employers including BAE Systems and regional suppliers. Fell has engaged with local authorities such as the Cumbria County Council and borough representatives to support regeneration schemes, heritage conservation around Furness Abbey, and coastal defences coordinated with the Environment Agency.
Fell has faced scrutiny typical for MPs representing industrial constituencies, including criticism over close ties to defence contractors such as BAE Systems and debates about procurement transparency raised by watchdogs and opposition MPs from the Labour Party and the Liberal Democrats. Opponents have questioned the balance between national procurement priorities set by the Ministry of Defence and local employment outcomes in Barrow-in-Furness, citing parliamentary questions and press coverage in regional outlets. He has also been involved in disputes over local planning and infrastructure decisions referenced in council meetings of the Barrow-in-Furness Borough Council.
Fell maintains residence in Cumbria and participates in community organisations including local sports clubs and heritage groups associated with Barrow-in-Furness history. He has family ties in the region and has appeared at constituency events alongside representatives from organisations such as the Chamber of Commerce and voluntary groups. Outside parliamentary duties, Fell has attended events related to maritime heritage and industrial apprenticeships, engaging with stakeholders from the Federation of Small Businesses and educational partners.
Category:Members of the Parliament of the United Kingdom for constituencies in Cumbria Category:Conservative Party (UK) MPs Category:People from Barrow-in-Furness