Paul Holmes

Paul Holmes, the Conservative member for Eastleigh, studied politics and international relations at the University of Southampton and became one of the youngest councillors in the country when he was elected as a student to Southampton City Council in 2008. Of particular note is his time as cabinet member for children’s services & learning, which saw him work as the youngest member of a local authority cabinet in the UK. He briefly worked in the local food industry after graduating in 2009, but soon joined the office of Stephen Hammond as a senior parliamentary adviser from 2011 to 2015. After 18 months at PR giant Portland Communications, he moved to the Cabinet Office as a special adviser to Patrick McLoughlin and then Damian Green, also assisting Damian Hinds as education secretary. From 2018 to 2019, he worked for Clarion Housing Group before he was selected as the Conservative party candidate for Eastleigh, and eventually became an MP at the third time of asking following 2015 and 2017 attempts in Mitcham and Morden and Southampton Test. Holmes voted for Brexit in 2016 and won a comfortable majority of 15,607 in the 2019 general election. He replaced junior minister Mims Davies, who moved to the seat of Mid Sussex to replace the retiring Nicholas Soames. Holmes has a particular interest in the “plight of Hong Kong” under growing Chinese influence. He said he enjoys coffee and a sandwich in the Member’s Tea Room and gossiping with colleagues. Holmes advises his constituents to contact his office via email rather than social media due to social media’s adverse effects on the mental health of users.

Hot Seat

How has your experience of Committee work influenced your political outlook?

I think you sometimes go in with a preconceived view based on your own background and ideology but pragmatism should always prevail.

Best, or most memorable, speech you have witnessed in the Chamber, and when?

My good friend, Mark Fletcher, MP for Bolsover on the Domestic Abuse Bill, his personal story and journey. The way he spoke about it was deeply thought-provoking

Most disappointing moment in the Chamber?

Not having both parents in the gallery to watch my Maiden Speech. Dad had to work and couldn’t get the day off!