Mark Spencer

Mark Spencer has been the Conservative MP for Sherwood since 2010 and is Boris Johnson’s chief whip. Born to a family of farmers, Spencer qualified at Shuttleworth Agricultural College and then joined the family business. His agricultural expertise grew in the years leading up to his election to parliament, holding senior roles in the sector including chairman of the National Federation of Young Farmers’ Clubs between 1999 and 2000. In 2001, Spencer ran unsuccessfully for the Nottinghamshire County Council seat of Hucknall. Two years later, he was elected as a councillor for Ravenshead ward on Gedling District Council, a post he held until he was elected as MP for Sherwood in 2010. Spencer has used his agricultural and business background in many of his parliamentary posts, working on the environmental audit committee and the environment, food and rural affairs committee as well as holding other roles within the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs. Given his farming background, Spencer aims to ensure that British food production is recognised and promoted as “world class”. He was appointed chief whip by the Prime Minister Boris Johnson in July 2019, following one year as Comptroller of the Household and as deputy Leader of the Commons. Spencer presided over the expulsion of 21 MPs from the Conservative party including David Gauke, Phillip Hammond and Justine Greening in September 2019 for their support of the Benn Act. After majorities of less than 700 in 2010 and 2017, Spencer solidified his constituency with a striking 16,186 majority in December 2019.