Sir Mike Penning was first elected as the Conservative MP for Hemel Hempstead in 2005, being reelected in 2019 with a majority of 14,563.
The constituency of Hemel Hempstead is found in south west Hertfordshire close to the M25 motorway at Kings Langley. It is a suburban seat focussed on the town of Hemel Hempstead, but which spills out towards Watford and St Albans. Owner occupancy in this area is below that of Hertfordshire as a whole. In general this is a Conservative leaning area but has been capable of backing Labour as it did between 1974 and 1979 and between 1997 and 2005.
Penning served in the government between 2010 and 2017 variously as Minister of State for the Armed Forces (2016-17), Minister of State at the Home Office (2014-2016), Minister of State for Disabled People (2013-2013), Minister of State at the Northern Ireland Office (2012-2013) and Under Secretary of State for Transport (2010-2012).
Penning was knighted in 2017. In May 2022, he announced that he intends to stand down from parliament at the next general election.
Penning was born in North London in 1957 and was educated in Essex at Appleton and King Edmund Comprehensive Schools. After leaving school, he joined the Army and served with the Grenadier Guards in Northern Ireland, Kenya and Germany. He also undertook ceremonial duties in London including Trooping of the Colour.
On leaving the Army Mike served as a full time fireman in Essex for many years. As part of a very varied career, he later became a political reporter for the Daily Express newspaper. He was a senior advisor to William Hague during his period as Leader of the Opposition prior to 2001.
Sir Mike Penning is Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Groups on Basketball; Child an Youth Crime; Loan Charges; Road Freight and Logistics; Roadside Rescue and Recovery. He is Vice Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Groups on Kashmir; Angling; Boxing; Deafness; Hormone Pregnancy Tests; Pension Clawback; and Kashmir.
He is married with two daughters, and employs his wife as an Office Manager. He likes rugby and football.
According to the Register of Members Interests, he is a Non-Executive Director of JT Consultancy Ltd, and Non-Executive Director of Law Abroad Ltd.
Email: mike.penning.mp@parliament.uk
Personal Website: http://www.penning4hemel.com
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/Penning4Hemel
