Johnny Mercer (politician)
John Luther Mercer (born 17 August 1981) is a British politician and former British Army officer who has served as Minister of State for Veterans’ Affairs since October 2022, having previously held the post from July to September 2022. He was Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence People and Veterans from July 2019 to April 2021. A member of the Conservative Party, Mercer has been Member of Parliament (MP) for Plymouth Moor View since 2015.
The Right Honourable Johnny Mercer MP | |
|---|---|
Official portrait, 2022 | |
| Minister of State for Veterans' Affairs | |
| Assumed office 25 October 2022 | |
| Prime Minister | Rishi Sunak |
| Preceded by | James Heappey |
| In office 7 July 2022 – 6 September 2022 | |
| Prime Minister | Boris Johnson |
| Preceded by | Leo Docherty |
| Succeeded by | James Heappey |
| In office 28 July 2019 – 20 April 2021 | |
| Prime Minister | Boris Johnson |
| Preceded by | Tobias Ellwood |
| Succeeded by | Leo Docherty |
| Member of Parliament for Plymouth Moor View | |
| Assumed office 7 May 2015 | |
| Preceded by | Alison Seabeck |
| Majority | 12,897 (29.2%) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | John Luther Mercer 17 August 1981 Dartford, Kent, England |
| Political party | Conservative |
| Spouse |
Felicity Cornelius (m. 2014) |
| Children | 3 |
| Alma mater | Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst |
| Website | johnnymercer |
| Military career | |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Service/ | British Army |
| Years of service | 2002–2013 |
| Rank | Captain |
| Unit | 29th Commando Regiment Royal Artillery |
| Battles/wars | War in Afghanistan
|
In April 2021, after notifying the chief whip of his intention to resign his position as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, he was dismissed by Prime Minister Boris Johnson. In July 2022, he was appointed Minister for Veterans’ Affairs at the Cabinet Office – attending Cabinet – following Johnson's announcing his intention to resign as Leader of the Conservative Party. Mercer was dismissed from the position in September 2022 by Prime Minister Liz Truss. In October 2022, he was reappointed Minister of State for Veterans' Affairs by Truss's successor Rishi Sunak.