Sir Oliver Heald

Oliver Heald is the Conservative MP for North East Hertfordshire. Born in Reading in 1954, Heald read Law at Pembroke College, Cambridge. He was called to the Bar at Middle Temple in 1977 and was a practising barrister for just under two decades. Sir Oliver chaired the North Hertfordshire Conservative Association from 1984 to 1986 and stood as the Conservative candidate for Southwark and Bermondsey at the 1987 general election, finishing in third place. At the 1992 general election, Heald was elected to North Hertfordshire, holding the seat for the Conservatives with a majority of 16,531. He was re-elected at the 1997 general election for the successor seat of North East Hertfordshire and under new leader William Hague served as an opposition whip, then spokesman for home affairs. He later served as shadow leader of the House of Commons and, under David Cameron, rose to the post of shadow chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster. Heald’s frontbench career was cut abruptly short in 2007 when he returned to the backbenches, serving for five years on the work and pensions committee before rejoining the Conservatives’ A-team as solicitor general in 2012. Under Theresa May, Heald served as minister of state at the Ministry of Justice before again returning to the backbenches in 2017. He voted remain at the 2016 referendum and voted against the government in favour of guaranteeing a meaningful vote on any Brexit deal agreed with Brussels in 2017. He nonetheless backed both Theresa May’s and Boris Johnson’s withdrawal agreements and was re-elected in 2019 with a slightly increased majority of 18,189.

Hot Seat

What domestic issues or reforms are of most concern to you?

Environment, Law and Order, modernisation of Justice.

Are you currently working with any think-tanks, local or national charities or pressure groups?

Wildlife Trusts, Rivers Trusts, WWF and many others including Finn’s Law.

What was the catalyst for you deciding to enter politics?

Helping others as a pro bono lawyer, doing inner city youth projects and life as a barrister.