Michelle Donelan was first elected as the Conservative MP for Chippenham in 2015, being reelected in 2019 with a majority of 11,289.
Chippenham is a relatively compact constituency found in the west of Wiltshire. It includes the towns of Corsham, Melksham, Bradford on Avon, and Chippenham. Formerly represented by the Liberal Democrat MP, Duncan Hames, himself the husband of the former Liberal Democrat Leader Jo Swinson, the Chippenham seat is traditionally a tightly fought Liberal Democrat and Conservative marginal.
Donelan was appointed Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology in February 2023. Before the department was reorganised she was Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport between September 2022 and February 2023.
Donelan was previously appointed as Secretary of State for Education by Boris Johnson in July 2022, but resigned 35 hours later in protest at the continuing leadership of Mr Johnson. She previously attended Cabinet having been appointed as the Minister of State for Universities in 2020.
Donelan was Under Secretary for Education between 2019 and 2020, and a government whip between 2019 and 2020.
Born in 1984, Donelan was educated at York University. She worked in marketing including at Marie Claire Magazine, the History Channel, and as International Marketing Manager for WWE (Worldwide Wrestling Entertainment) before being elected to Parliament.
Donelan describes herself as a Christian. She supported Remain in the 2016 EU referendum.
Email: michelle.donelan.mp@parliament.uk
Personal Website: http://michelledonelan.co.uk/
Twitter: twitter.com/michelledonelan
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/MichelleDonelanChippenham
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelledonelan
