Victoria Mary Atkins (born 22 March 1976)[1] is a British politician who served in various ministerial positions under Prime Ministers Theresa May, Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak between 2017 and 2024, lastly as Secretary of State for Health and Social Care from November 2023 to July 2024. A member of the Conservative Party, she has been the Member of Parliament (MP) for Louth and Horncastle since 2015 and Shadow Secretary of State for Health and Social Care July to November 2024.[6] Before her political career, she worked as a barrister specialising in organised crime.[1]
Atkins was appointed Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Safeguarding at the Home Office in November 2017 by Prime Minister Theresa May. Following the formation of the first Johnson ministry in July 2019, she remained in her post. On 16 September 2021, during the cabinet reshuffle, Boris Johnson appointed Atkins Minister of State for Prisons and Probation and Minister for Afghan Resettlement; she oversaw Operation Pitting in the latter role until she was replaced in March 2022. She resigned as Prisons Minister during the July 2022 government crisis, and called on Johnson to resign. After Rishi Sunak became Prime Minister in October 2022, she was appointed Financial Secretary to the Treasury before being promoted to Health Secretary in the November 2023 cabinet reshuffle.
Early life and career
editVictoria Atkins was born on 22 March 1976 in London, the daughter of Sir Robert Atkins,[1] a former Conservative MP and MEP, and Lady (Dulcie) Atkins, a Conservative councillor and mayor. She was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at the age of three.[7]
Atkins was privately educated at Arnold School, a co-educational school in Blackpool in Lancashire, and studied law at the University of Cambridge where she was an undergraduate student at Corpus Christi College, Cambridge.[8]
Atkins was called to the bar (Middle Temple) in 1998.[9] She worked as a barrister in the field of fraud in London.[9][10]
Political career
editIn 2010, Atkins was shortlisted for the safe seat of Salisbury, eventually losing out to John Glen, who was elected MP for the seat.[11] In November 2012, she stood unsuccessfully in the first ever Police and Crime Commissioner elections for the Gloucestershire Constabulary area. Although she garnered the most first preference votes, she lost to former police superintendent Martin Surl (an independent candidate) when second preferences were counted.[12][13]
For the 2015 election, she was on the shortlist for the Tonbridge and Malling seat, along with Edward Argar, Chris Philp, and Tom Tugendhat. Tugendhat won the selection; Atkins and her other opponents were selected for seats elsewhere in time for the same election.[14]
Parliamentary career
editAtkins was selected over three others in July 2014 as the Conservative candidate for Louth and Horncastle, at a meeting (referred to as an "Open Primary" by the party)[15] of around 200 local party members in Spilsby. It is a safe Conservative seat; all areas of it have been continuously held by the party since 1924.[16][17]
The retiring MP was Sir Peter Tapsell, who at that time was Father of the House of Commons, having served the area for nearly 50 years in addition to his previous Parliamentary service. Former Prime Minister John Major (who first entered the House of Commons at the same time as her father) supported her first parliamentary election campaign, and has known her since she was a young girl.[18]
1st term (2015–2017)
editAtkins was elected as the MP for Louth and Horncastle at the 2015 general election, winning 51.2% of the vote and with a majority of 14,977 votes.[19][20] After being elected, Atkins was appointed as a member of the Home Affairs Select Committee in July 2015.[21]
Atkins supported the UK remaining within the EU before the 2016 EU membership referendum, but consistently voted in favour of a referendum being held.[22][23] After the referendum, she voted in favour of triggering Article 50 in February 2017.[24][25]
2nd term (2017–2019)
editAt the snap 2017 general election, she retained the seat with 63.9% of the votes and an increased majority, of 19,641.[26]
In June 2017, Atkins was appointed as a junior minister.[27] Following Priti Patel's resignation as International Development Secretary, she replaced Sarah Newton as Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Vulnerability, Safeguarding and Countering Extremism in the Home Office.[28]
In the House of Commons she has sat on the Draft Investigatory Powers Bill (Joint Committee) and the Home Affairs Committee.[29]
In April 2018, Atkins said she did not know the number of police officers in the country during an 'awkward' interview with Nick Ferrari on the LBC radio station. Ferrari informed her that the number was 123,142. This followed the leak of a Home Office report that concluded cuts to police numbers had "likely contributed" to a rise in serious violent crime.[30] The following month, she voluntarily recused herself from speaking on drug policy in relation to cannabis after it was reported that her husband Paul Kenward's company, British Sugar, grows under permit a non‐psychoactive variety of cannabis which is used in children's epilepsy medicine.[31]
In June 2019, Atkins vetoed the appointment of Niamh Eastwood, the director of Release, to the independent advisory NGO Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD). She did so as Eastwood had previously been critical of the Home Office's drug policy on social media, including criticising a letter by Atkins in which she opposed the introduction of drug consumption rooms. Eastwood had previously been approved by a Home Office advisory assessment panel. A subject access request by Eastwood revealed that ministers vetted social media profiles of appointments to public bodies including references to "Windrush", "the government", "Brexit", and "anything diversity-related".[32] In October 2019, Professor Alex Stevens, a criminal justice expert, resigned from the ACMD over alleged "political vetting" of panel members by the government.[33] Kit Malthouse, the Minister for Policing, replaced Atkins as the minister responsible for the government's drug policy on 7 October.[34]
3rd term (2019–2024)
editIn the 2019 general election, Atkins was re-elected for Louth and Horncastle with an increased majority of 28,868, obtaining 72.7% of the vote[35] from a turnout of 65.7%.
In September 2021, following the withdrawal of foreign defence forces from Afghanistan and takeover by the Taliban, Atkins became Minister of State for Prisons and Probation at the Ministry of Justice and the Minister for Afghan Resettlement. She oversaw "Operation Pitting", the government's Afghan resettlement programme.[36] On 6 July 2022, during the July 2022 United Kingdom government crisis, Atkins resigned as justice minister, citing concerns with party leadership.[37][38]
In the November 2023 Cabinet reshuffle, Atkins was appointed Secretary of State for Health and Social Care.[39]
Atkins was sworn in as a member of the Privy Council on 15 November 2023 at Buckingham Palace following her appointment, entitling her to the honorific prefix "The Right Honourable" for life.[40]
4th term (2024–)
editAt the 2024 general election, Atkins was again re-elected, with a decreased vote share of 37.5%, from a turnout of 61% and a decreased majority of 5,506. She was voted for by 22.7% of the electorate.[41]
Following the subsequent formation of the Starmer ministry, Atkins was appointed Shadow Secretary of State for Health in Rishi Sunak's caretaker Shadow Cabinet.[42]
During a debate in the House of Commons on 19 July 2024, Atkins was admonished by Acting Deputy Speaker Sir Christopher Chope for behaving "abominably" after attempting to intervene from the despatch box as Environment Secretary Steve Reed delivered a ministerial statement. Her spokesperson defended her actions, saying Reed had failed to answer her questions.[43][44]
Personal life
editAtkins is married to Paul Kenward,[3] the managing director of British Sugar.[31] They have one son.[4][5]
Notes
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c d Anon (2015). "Atkins, Victoria Mary". Who's Who (online Oxford University Press ed.). Oxford: A & C Black. doi:10.1093/ww/9780199540884.013.U283965. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)
- ^ Jamieson, Sophie (29 April 2015). "Female MPs: Parliament's future front bench stars". The Telegraph. Telegraph Media Group. Archived from the original on 25 June 2020. Retrieved 28 April 2020.
- ^ a b "Mr P.R. Kenward and Miss V.M. Atkins – Engagements Announcements". Telegraph Announcements. Telegraph Media Group. 2007. Archived from the original on 11 September 2019. Retrieved 28 April 2020.
- ^ a b "About Victoria". Victoria Atkins MP. Archived from the original on 30 April 2021. Retrieved 15 September 2016.
- ^ a b Goodman, Paul (1 May 2015). "Cameron's Children: The next generation of Conservative MPs". ConservativeHome. Archived from the original on 29 April 2021. Retrieved 28 April 2020.
Family: Married to Paul, the Managing Director of a food company and has one son, Monty
- ^ "Louth & Horncastle". Election 2015. BBC News. 7 May 2015. Archived from the original on 1 December 2019. Retrieved 28 April 2020.
- ^ Bawden, Anna (17 January 2024). "'This is personal': Victoria Atkins sets out women's health priorities". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 15 August 2024.
- ^ "Victoria Atkins follows in her political parents' footsteps". Lancashire Post. JPI Media. 16 November 2017. Archived from the original on 18 August 2020. Retrieved 28 April 2020.
- ^ a b "Profile". The Telegraph. Archived from the original on 10 May 2015. Retrieved 10 May 2015.
- ^ Simmons, Richard, Meet the lawyers standing for Parliament Lawyer 2B, 10 April 2015
- ^ Carr, Tim (18 May 2015). The Politicos Guide to the New House of Commons 2015: Profiles of the New MPs and Analysis of the 2015 General Election Results. Biteback Publishing. ISBN 9781849549240. Archived from the original on 24 February 2024. Retrieved 18 June 2017 – via Google Books.
- ^ "Gloucestershire PCC vote: Independent Martin Surl elected". BBC News. 16 November 2012. Archived from the original on 18 August 2020. Retrieved 28 April 2020.
- ^ "Police and Crime Commissioner for Gloucestershire election". BBC News. 16 November 2012. Archived from the original on 18 August 2020. Retrieved 28 April 2020.
- ^ "Evening Briefing: A new breed of MP? – Telegraph Blogs". 20 April 2014. Archived from the original on 20 April 2014.
- ^ Wallace, Mark (30 July 2014). "Victoria Atkins wins hard-fought Louth and Horncastle Open Primary". ConservativeHome. Archived from the original on 18 August 2020. Retrieved 28 April 2020.
- ^ "Victoria Atkins named Conservative Parliamentary candidate for Louth and Horncastle after hard fought primary". Grimsby Telegraph. Local World. 29 July 2014. Archived from the original on 25 May 2015. Retrieved 25 May 2015.
- ^ "Victoria Atkin selected as Conservative Party Primary candidate to succeed Sir Peter Tapsell". Louth Leader. JPI Media. 28 July 2014. Archived from the original on 19 August 2014. Retrieved 25 May 2015.
- ^ "Sir John Major visits to back Victoria Atkins in fight against UKIP's Colin Mair". Louth Leader. JPI Media. 5 February 2015. Archived from the original on 6 February 2015. Retrieved 25 May 2015.
- ^ "Election Data 2015". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 17 October 2015. Retrieved 17 October 2015.
- ^ "Louth & Horncastle parliamentary constituency". BBC News. Archived from the original on 1 December 2019. Retrieved 8 May 2015.
- ^ "Home Affairs Committee: Committee membership announced". UK Parliament. 8 July 2015. Archived from the original on 22 August 2016. Retrieved 28 April 2020.
- ^ "Victoria Atkins MP, Louth and Horncastle". TheyWorkForYou. Archived from the original on 18 August 2020. Retrieved 28 April 2020.
- ^ Goodenough, Tom (16 February 2016). "Which Tory MPs back Brexit, who doesn't and who is still on the fence?". The Spectator. Archived from the original on 2 May 2019. Retrieved 11 October 2016.
- ^ "MP confirms she will vote in favour of triggering Article 50 if the issue comes before Parliament". Victoria Atkins. 4 November 2016. Archived from the original on 18 August 2020. Retrieved 28 April 2020.
- ^ Daly, Patrick (1 February 2017). "North Lincolnshire MPs help Article 50 vote to pass overwhelmingly". Grimsby Telegraph. Archived from the original on 1 February 2017. Retrieved 3 April 2017.
- ^ "Louth & Horncastle parliamentary constituency". BBC News. Election 2017. 9 June 2017. Archived from the original on 1 December 2019. Retrieved 28 April 2020.
- ^ Bolger, Hope. "Lincolnshire MP becomes junior minister". BBC News. Archived from the original on 18 August 2020. Retrieved 28 April 2020.
- ^ "Victoria Atkins MP becomes Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Home Office". Louth Leader. JPI Media. 12 November 2017. Archived from the original on 18 August 2020. Retrieved 28 April 2020.
- ^ "Victoria Atkins MP". UK Parliament. Archived from the original on 31 October 2019. Retrieved 28 April 2020.
- ^ Simons, Ned (9 April 2018). "Tory Home Office Minister Victoria Atkins Admits She Does Not Know How Many Police Officers There Are". HuffPost UK. Archived from the original on 7 September 2018. Retrieved 28 April 2020.
- ^ a b Khan, Shehan (17 May 2018). "Drugs minister accused of 'hypocrisy on a grand scale' over husband's involvement in legal cannabis farm". The Independent. Archived from the original on 17 August 2022. Retrieved 28 April 2020.
- ^ Busby, Mattha (11 June 2019). "Drugs expert barred from policy panel after criticising Home Office". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 6 May 2020. Retrieved 28 April 2020.
- ^ Busby, Mattha (6 October 2019). "Expert quits Home Office drug panel over 'political vetting'". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 15 October 2019. Retrieved 15 October 2019.
- ^ Busby, Mattha (7 October 2019). "Britain's minister responsible for drug policy replaced". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 15 December 2019. Retrieved 28 April 2020.
- ^ "Victoria Atkins 'honoured and delighted' after election victory". Louth Leader. JPI Media. 13 December 2019. Archived from the original on 24 February 2024. Retrieved 28 April 2020.
- ^ "Operation Warm Welcome". gov.uk. 29 August 2021. Archived from the original on 4 June 2023. Retrieved 9 July 2023.
- ^ Forrest, Adam (6 July 2022). "Ministers John Glen and Victoria Atkins quit citing PM's 'poor judgement'". The Independent. Archived from the original on 17 August 2022. Retrieved 6 July 2022.
- ^ "Lincolnshire MP Victoria Atkins resigns as justice minister". BBC News. 6 July 2022. Archived from the original on 9 July 2023. Retrieved 9 July 2023.
- ^ "Rishi Sunak's reshuffle: Who is in the prime minister's cabinet?". BBC News. 15 November 2023. Archived from the original on 16 November 2023. Retrieved 17 November 2023.
- ^ "Orders Approved and Business Transacted at the Privy Council held by the King at Buckingham Palace on 15th November 2023" (PDF). The Privy Council Office. 15 November 2023. Archived (PDF) from the original on 16 November 2023. Retrieved 16 November 2023.
- ^ "Louth and Horncastle – General election results 2024". BBC News. 5 July 2024. Retrieved 5 July 2024.
- ^ "Tories add to front bench from post-election ranks". BBC News. Retrieved 20 July 2024.
- ^ "MP who behaved 'abominably' says she wanted answers". BBC News. Retrieved 20 July 2024.
- ^ "Lincolnshire MP told off for behaving 'abominably' in the Commons". Rayo. Retrieved 20 July 2024.
External links
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