Dominic Raab

Dominic Raab is a British politician who has served as the Member of Parliament for Esher and Walton since 2010. He was born in Buckinghamshire and educated at Dr. Challoner's Grammar School, before studying at Lady Margaret Hall, Oxford and later at Jesus College, Cambridge. Raab's early life and education laid the foundation for his future career in politics, which has been influenced by his experiences at Oxford University and his involvement with the Conservative Party. His interests in European Union law and human rights were shaped by his time at Cambridge University and his work with Amnesty International.

● Early Life and Education

Dominic Raab was born to Peter Raab, a food manager, and Jean Raab, a National Health Service nurse, in Buckinghamshire. He grew up in Gerards Cross and attended Dr. Challoner's Grammar School, where he developed an interest in politics and history. Raab's education continued at Lady Margaret Hall, Oxford, where he studied law and was influenced by the works of John Locke and Edmund Burke. He later pursued a master's degree at Jesus College, Cambridge, focusing on European Union law and international law, with a particular interest in the Treaty of Rome and the European Convention on Human Rights.

● Career

Before entering politics, Raab worked as a Foreign and Commonwealth Office lawyer, advising on European Union law and human rights, including the European Court of Human Rights and the United Nations. He also worked at Linklaters, a London-based law firm, and was involved with the Centre for Policy Studies, a think tank founded by Margaret Thatcher and Sir Keith Joseph. Raab's career has been shaped by his experiences working with Amnesty International and his interest in international relations, particularly in regards to the United Nations Security Council and the G7.

● Parliamentary Career

Raab was first elected as the Member of Parliament for Esher and Walton in 2010, defeating the Liberal Democrats candidate, Lionel Blackman. He has since been re-elected in 2015, 2017, and 2019, increasing his majority each time, and has served on various committees, including the Justice Select Committee and the Foreign Affairs Select Committee. Raab has been a strong advocate for Brexit, supporting the Leave campaign during the 2016 United Kingdom European Union membership referendum, and has worked closely with Boris Johnson and Michael Gove on Brexit-related issues, including the Chequers Agreement and the Withdrawal Agreement.

● Ministerial Career

Raab has held various ministerial positions, including Minister of State for Justice and Minister of State for Housing and Planning, working under David Cameron and Theresa May. In 2018, he was appointed as the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, playing a key role in the Brexit negotiations with the European Union, including the European Commission and the European Parliament. Raab has also served as the First Secretary of State and Deputy Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, working closely with Boris Johnson and Sajid Javid on issues such as Brexit and national security, including the Five Eyes intelligence alliance and the NATO.

● Personal Life

Raab is married to Erika Rey, a Brazilian-born marketing executive, and they have two children together, living in Thames Ditton. He is a keen sport enthusiast, enjoying running and boxing, and has completed the London Marathon several times, raising money for charities such as Help for Heroes and the Royal British Legion. Raab is also a fan of Aston Villa Football Club and has spoken about the importance of mental health and wellbeing, supporting organizations such as Mind and the Samaritans. His interests in philosophy and history have been influenced by the works of Aristotle and Winston Churchill, and he has spoken about the importance of democracy and human rights in the United Kingdom and around the world, including the European Court of Human Rights and the United Nations Human Rights Council.