Priti Patel

Priti Patel
source
Name	Priti Patel
Office	Secretary of State for the Home Department
Term start	2019
Term end	2022
Predecessor	Sajid Javid
Successor	Suella Braverman

Priti Patel is a British politician who has been a member of the Conservative Party and has held various positions in the UK Government, including Secretary of State for International Development and Secretary of State for the Home Department. She has been a member of Parliament for the constituency of Witham since 2010. Patel has been associated with several prominent politicians, including Boris Johnson, Theresa May, and David Cameron. She has also been involved in various organizations, such as the Centre for Policy Studies and the Institute of Economic Affairs.

● Early Life and Education

Priti Patel was born in Harrow, London to a family of Gujarati origin. Her parents, Sushil Patel and Anjana Patel, were immigrants from Uganda who settled in England in the 1960s. Patel attended Watford Grammar School for Girls and later studied at University of Keele, where she graduated with a degree in Economics and Sociology. She also holds a postgraduate degree in British Politics and Government from the University of Essex. Patel's educational background has been influenced by institutions such as the London School of Economics and the University of Oxford, where she has interacted with notable academics like Niall Ferguson and Andrew Marr.

● Career

Before entering politics, Patel worked in the private sector, holding positions at Conservative Central Office, Reuters, and Diageo. She was also a consultant for the British Parliament and worked with organizations like the TaxPayers' Alliance and the Adam Smith Institute. Patel's career has been shaped by her interactions with prominent business leaders, including Rupert Murdoch, Alan Sugar, and Richard Branson. She has also been involved with various think tanks, such as the Centre for Social Justice and the Policy Exchange, which have influenced her policy perspectives.

● Political Career

Patel's political career began when she was elected as a Councillor for the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham in 1994. She later became a member of the Conservative Party's National Executive Committee and served as the party's Vice-Chairman. Patel has been associated with several high-profile politicians, including Michael Gove, Liam Fox, and Iain Duncan Smith. She has also been involved in various parliamentary groups, such as the Conservative Friends of Israel and the European Reform Group.

● Ministerial Career

Patel was appointed as the Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury in 2014 by David Cameron. She later served as the Secretary of State for International Development from 2016 to 2017 under Theresa May. In 2019, Patel was appointed as the Secretary of State for the Home Department by Boris Johnson, a position she held until 2022. During her ministerial career, Patel has worked with various government departments, including the Home Office, the Ministry of Justice, and the Department for International Development. She has also interacted with international leaders, such as Angela Merkel, Emmanuel Macron, and Justin Trudeau.

● Controversies

Patel has been involved in several controversies throughout her career, including a scandal surrounding her meetings with Israeli officials in 2017. She has also faced criticism for her handling of the Windrush scandal and her stance on Brexit. Patel has been accused of being a hard Brexit supporter and has been involved in debates with prominent Remain campaigners, including Nick Clegg and Andrew Adonis. She has also been criticized by organizations like Amnesty International and the Human Rights Watch for her policies on immigration and human rights.

● Personal Life

Patel is married to Alex Sawyer, a marketing consultant, and they have a son together. She is a Hindu and has spoken about the importance of her faith in her life. Patel has also been involved in various charitable organizations, including the British Asian Trust and the Prince's Trust. She has been recognized for her contributions to public life, including being named as one of the most influential British Asian women in the UK. Patel's personal life has been influenced by her interactions with prominent figures, including Prince Charles, David Beckham, and Elton John. She has also been involved in various cultural events, such as the London Mela and the Diwali celebrations on Trafalgar Square.