David Simmonds
David Simmonds | |
|---|---|
 Simmonds in 2019 | |
| Member of Parliament for Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner | |
| Assumed office 12 December 2019 | |
| Preceded by | Nick Hurd |
| Majority | 16,394 (31.0%) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | David Timothy Simmonds Kent, United Kingdom |
| Political party | Conservative |
| Children | 2 |
| Alma mater | Durham University |
| Website | Official website |
Cllr David Timothy Simmonds CBE (born 1976) is a British Conservative politician serving as MP for Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner since 2019.[1][2] He is also a councillor on Hillingdon London Borough Council, having served since 1998.[2]
Early life and education
Simmonds was born in 1976, the son of Rory and Veronica Simmonds. He attended Cardinal Newman Comprehensive School in Pontypridd, before going to the University of Durham, where he gained a BA (Hons). Simmonds gained a Postgraduate Certificate at Birkbeck College, University of London, and a Financial Planning Certificate from the Chartered Institute of Insurers. His professional background is in financial services, where he worked for several high street banks after qualifying with the CII in 1997.
Political career
Local government
Simmonds was elected as a councillor for the London Borough of Hillingdon in 1998, gaining his seat in Cowley (at the time, part of the Uxbridge constituency) from the Labour Party.[3] Since 2002, he has represented the Ickenham ward.[4]
He has served in hung and majority administrations as a committee chairman and Cabinet Member, with responsibilities including planning, housing, social services, education and children's services. He led work for the Local Government Association in a number of high-profile areas including children's services, education, immigration and Brexit, serving as Conservative Group Leader and Deputy Chairman of the organisation representing councils. Simmonds was also Chairman of the Children and Young People Board from 2011 to 2015.[2]
At the 2005 general election, he stood in Erewash, Derbyshire, coming second to the Labour incumbent. His previous service includes as Chairman of the National Employer's Organisation for Schoolteachers (NEOST) and of the European Federation of Education Employers (EFEE), as an active member of the Committee of the Regions and leader of the UK Conservative delegation there, and at the Congress of the Council of Europe.
He is particularly well known for his work on refugee children and led the implementation of the Vulnerable Persons Relocation Scheme (VPRS) with then-Home Secretary Theresa May to resettle vulnerable refugees to areas of the UK volunteering to take them in.
He served as Deputy Chairman and previously Treasurer of the Conservative Councillors Association, and served as an associate non-executive director in his local NHS and as a magistrate in North-West London. He stepped down as Deputy Leader of Hillingdon Council and as Deputy Chairman of the LGA following his election to Parliament. He was Deputy Leader of the council from 2002 to 2020, and Deputy Chairman of the LGA from 2015 to 2020.[2]
In Parliament
Simmonds won the safe Conservative seat of Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner at the 2019 general election, succeeding the retiring incumbent, Nick Hurd. The constituency includes the Ickenham ward he represents as a Hillingdon councillor. In Parliament, Simmonds is a member of the Education Select Committee and the Finance Committee.
Honours
He was awarded a CBE in the 2015 Birthday Honours list.[5]
Personal life
Simmonds married NHS doctor Dr Suzanne Cordell in 2012; the couple have a son and daughter. He lists his recreations as travelling in Europe, wine and modern British prints.[6][7][2]
References
- ^ "Ruislip, Northwood & Pinner parliamentary constituency - Election 2019". BBC News – via www.bbc.co.uk.
- ^ a b c d e "Simmonds, David Timothy, (born 1976), MP (C) Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner, since 2019". WHO'S WHO & WHO WAS WHO. doi:10.1093/ww/9780199540884.013.u284533. Retrieved 1 May 2021.
- ^ Minors, Michael (1998). London Borough Council elections 7 May 1998 : including the Greater London Authority referendum results (PDF). Dennis Grenham, London Research Centre. Demographic and Statistical Studies Department. London: London Research Centre. Demographic and Statistical Studies. ISBN 1-85261-276-2. OCLC 40179592.
- ^ "Local Elections Archive Project — Ickenham Ward". www.andrewteale.me.uk. Retrieved 1 May 2021.
- ^ "LGA Councillor details - CLLR David Simmonds CBE". 29 February 2020.
- ^ "Adult Social Care - Tuesday 28 January 2020 - Hansard - UK Parliament". hansard.parliament.uk. Retrieved 13 January 2021.
- ^ "Free Childcare - Monday 9 March 2020 - Hansard - UK Parliament". hansard.parliament.uk. Retrieved 13 January 2021.
External links
- Profile at Parliament of the United Kingdom
- Contributions in Parliament at Hansard
- Voting record at Public Whip
- Record in Parliament at TheyWorkForYou
   | This article about a Conservative Member of the Parliament of the United Kingdom representing an English constituency is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |
 | This article about a British member of Parliament elected at the 2019 general election or a subsequent by-election is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |