Desmond Swayne
Sir Desmond Angus Swayne TD VR (born 20 August 1956) is a British Conservative politician serving as the Member of Parliament for the constituency of New Forest West since 1997.
Major The Right Honourable Sir Desmond Swayne TD VR MP | |
|---|---|
Official portrait, 2017 | |
| Minister of State for International Development | |
| In office 14 July 2014 – 17 July 2016 | |
| Prime Minister | David Cameron Theresa May |
| Preceded by | Alan Duncan |
| Succeeded by | Rory Stewart |
| Vice-Chamberlain of the Household | |
| In office 7 October 2013 – 14 July 2014 | |
| Prime Minister | David Cameron |
| Preceded by | Greg Knight |
| Succeeded by | Anne Milton |
| Lord Commissioner of the Treasury | |
| In office 4 September 2012 – 7 October 2013 | |
| Prime Minister | David Cameron |
| Preceded by | Michael Fabricant |
| Succeeded by | Sam Gyimah |
| Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Prime Minister | |
| In office 12 May 2010 – 4 September 2012 | |
| Prime Minister | David Cameron |
| Preceded by | Jon Trickett & Anne Snelgrove |
| Succeeded by | Sam Gyimah |
| Member of Parliament for New Forest West | |
| Assumed office 1 May 1997 | |
| Preceded by | Constituency created |
| Majority | 24,403 (48.5%) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 20 August 1956 Bern, Switzerland |
| Nationality | British |
| Political party | Conservative |
| Spouse |
Moira Cecily Teek (m. 1987) |
| Children | 3 |
| Alma mater | University of St Andrews |
| Occupation | Politician |
| Awards | Territorial Decoration Iraq Medal Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal Volunteer Reserve Service Medal |
| Website | desmondswaynemp |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Branch/service | British Territorial Army |
| Years of service | 1978–present |
| Rank | Major |
| Unit | Royal Mercian and Lancastrian Yeomanry |
Before going into politics, Swayne was a teacher, and then a manager at the Royal Bank of Scotland. He was Parliamentary Private Secretary to David Cameron, both during his time as Leader of the Opposition, 2005–10, and then for two years while Cameron was Prime Minister. In September 2012 he was appointed as Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury and in July 2014 as Minister for International Development. Swayne was knighted in the 2016 Birthday Honours for political and parliamentary services.
He was a supporter of the Eurosceptic pressure group Leave Means Leave. He is also a prominent critic of the British government response to the COVID-19 pandemic.