Derek Thomas

Derek Thomas was first elected as the Conservative MP for St Ives in 2015, taking the seat from the Liberal Democrat incumbent Andrew George securing a 4.5 per cent swing and winning with a majority of 2,469. Born in West Cornwall, in his early career he worked as a development manager at Mustard Seed, a voluntary organisation in Helston that worked with adults with learning disabilities, and went on to found a construction business. He began his political career in 2005 when he was elected as a councillor for Penzance Central ward on Penwith District Council. He first contested St Ives at the 2010 general election, missing out by 1,719 votes. Since election in 2015, he has sat on the Science and Technology Committee, the Environmental Audit Committee, the Work and Pensions Committee, and the Health and Social Care Committee. Thomas believes Brexit presents an ideal opportunity to reform “an outdated and unfair business rate system.” Thomas has been member of several All-Party Parliamentary Groups including chairing the groups for Brain Tumours, Vascular and Venous Disease, and Axial Spondylarthritis. He currently sits on the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee.