Mark Francois was first elected as the Conservative MP for Rayleigh in Essex in 2001. He was reelected in 2019 with an absolutely massive majority of 31,000.
The constituency of Rayleigh and Wickford is found in South Essex, inland immediately to the north of Southend on Sea. It contains the small towns of Rayleigh, Wickford, Hawkwell, and Hockley. This area of England has long been safe territory for the Conservative Party, and at over four fifths, owner occupancy is amongst the highest in the country. Some 68% of the population here backed Brexit in the 2016 EU referendum.
Francois served as Minster for Defense Personnel in September 2012, and held the office until 2013, when he was appointed Minister of State for the Armed Forces. Between 2015 and 2016, he served as Minister of State for Communities and Resilience and Minister of State for Portsmouth.
Born in Islington in 1965, Francois moved to Basildon in 1971. He attended Bristol University and King’s College, London.
After leaving University, Francois served as an infantry officer in the Territorial Army, including with the local Royal Anglian Regiment. Francois later joined Lloyds Bank as a management trainee, before later becoming a lobbyist. He set up his own lobbying firm, which he closed upon his election to Parliament.
Francois was elected to Basildon council between 1991 and 1995.
Francois is on the right of the Conservative Party and was a supporter of Leave in the 2016 EU referendum. He became Chairman of the Conservative European Research Group of MPs in 2020.
During the Brexit battles between 2016 and 2019, Francois was one of the most outspoken critics of Theresa May, regularly appearing on television to vent his concerns. He submitted a letter of no confidence in Theresa May in 2018, and backed Boris Johnson in the 2019 Conservative Party leadership election.
Mark Francois is an Officer of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Bahrain. He enjoys hill walking and military history.
Email: mark.francois.mp@parliament.uk
Website: https://www.markfrancois.com/
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/MarkFrancoisRayleighandWickford
