Stephen Hammond, English banker and politician

Stephen William Hammond, born on 4 February 1962, is a prominent British Conservative Party politician who has represented the constituency of Wimbledon as its Member of Parliament (MP) since his initial election in 2005. As an MP, Mr. Hammond serves as a direct voice for his constituents in the House of Commons, actively participating in legislative debates, scrutinizing government policy, and advocating on local issues pertinent to the diverse Wimbledon area.

His career in government began on 4 September 2012, when he was appointed Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport. In this junior ministerial role, he held significant responsibilities encompassing key national sectors such as the nation's bus services, extensive rail network management, and vital shipping operations. These duties typically involve developing and implementing policy, overseeing relevant executive agencies, and representing the department in parliamentary proceedings. However, his tenure in this position concluded on 15 July 2014, when he departed the ministry during a government reshuffle – a common practice in UK politics where the Prime Minister reconfigures the cabinet to align with new priorities or leadership. He was subsequently succeeded by Claire Perry in this role.

Beyond his direct governmental roles, Mr. Hammond has also held significant party positions. On 20 July 2017, he was appointed Vice Chairman of the Conservative Party for London. This specific role typically involves overseeing party activities, coordinating election campaigns, and enhancing political engagement within the capital, a strategically vital region for any political party's electoral success. Nevertheless, his time as Vice Chairman was brief, as he was removed from the post on 16 December of the same year. This swift dismissal followed his participation in a high-profile Brexit rebellion against the government of then-Prime Minister Theresa May just three days prior. This act of parliamentary defiance, involving a vote against the government's proposed Brexit strategy, highlighted the deep ideological divisions within the Conservative Party regarding the United Kingdom's departure from the European Union.

Despite this disciplinary action, Stephen Hammond returned to a ministerial position on 16 November 2018, when he was appointed Minister of State at the Department of Health and Social Care. This senior ministerial role, which ranks just below that of a Secretary of State, saw him contribute to the formulation and execution of policies related to the National Health Service (NHS) and broader social care provision across England. His appointment occurred following the promotion of Steve Barclay to the critical position of Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, which created the vacancy in the Health Department.

A pivotal moment in his parliamentary career came on 3 September 2019, amidst escalating tensions over Brexit under Prime Minister Boris Johnson's early premiership. On this date, Mr. Hammond had the Conservative Party whip removed – a severe disciplinary measure meaning he was suspended from the parliamentary party and effectively sat as an independent MP, unable to vote with his party. This action was taken after he voted for a bill specifically designed to prevent the United Kingdom from leaving the European Union without a deal, directly opposing the government's policy at the time. This vote was part of a significant parliamentary rebellion by numerous Conservative MPs aiming to avert a potentially chaotic 'no-deal' Brexit. However, on 29 October 2019, he was notably among ten Conservative MPs who had the whip restored, allowing them to formally rejoin the parliamentary party and demonstrate a renewed sense of party unity ahead of the crucial General Election that December.

Key Highlights of Stephen Hammond's Political Career

Frequently Asked Questions about Stephen Hammond MP

When was Stephen Hammond first elected as an MP?
Stephen Hammond was first elected as the Member of Parliament for Wimbledon in 2005, a role he has held continuously since that year.
What ministerial roles has Stephen Hammond held?
He has served as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport (from 2012 to 2014) and later as Minister of State at the Department of Health and Social Care (from 2018 to 2019).
Why was Stephen Hammond disciplined by the Conservative Party?
He was dismissed as Vice Chairman in 2017 for participating in a Brexit rebellion against Prime Minister Theresa May's government. Additionally, in 2019, he had the whip removed for voting against a no-deal Brexit bill under Prime Minister Boris Johnson's government, though this suspension was later reversed.