Personal Life and Early Career
I was born at the Horton General Hospital. I grew up on the mixed family farm in Aynho and have always lived locally.
I attended Royal Holloway, University of London and Downing College, Cambridge from where I gained degrees in English and Law. It was at Cambridge University that I met my future husband, Sebastian.
In 1995 I qualified as a barrister. For seventeen years, I worked in the Civil Service as a lawyer, and until November 2014 was head of the Government’s Justice and Security team.
I founded the Oxford Hospital Trust’s Benefactors’ Board, which I chaired for over nine years. I have also been involved with a number of other local charities, including Leonard Cheshire, the Northamptonshire Parent Infant Partnership (NorPIP), and my parish church. I have acted as Churchwarden and have been deeply involved in several campaigns about local issues, particularly the fight to retain vital services at the Horton General Hospital.
I love living in the village of Somerton, right in the centre of the Banbury constituency, with my husband and two daughters. My family are active members of the village community and take part in, and host, many events, including May Day and an annual cider making festival.
Every year, I organise the church nativity service, which includes donkeys, sheep, chickens, and, of course, a baby to play the part of Jesus! I am a passionate advocate of buying locally produced goods and have enjoyed raising pigs, sheep and cattle at home. My family are also partial to a pub lunch and can speak with knowledge on many pubs in the constituency.
Parliamentary Career
I was first elected in 2015. In Parliament, I sat on the Justice Select Committee, and made regular appearances in the House of Commons. I helped organise two national campaigns – Singing for Syrians, raising money for charities working in Syria, and the Great British Spring Clean. I was also Vice-Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Baby Loss.
In February 2020 I was appointed Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department for Environment and Rural Affairs (Defra) and in September 2021, I was appointed Minister of State at Defra. During this time, I was responsible for Farming, Fisheries and Food.
In September 2022, I was appointed Minister of State at the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). During this time, I was responsible for Work and Welfare.
In October 2022, I was appointed Attorney General for England and Wales and Advocate General for Northern Ireland.