Derek as an MP

Derek was first elected as Member of Parliament for the constituency of West Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly (St Ives) in the 2015 General Election, becoming the first Conservative MP for the area since 1997. He was re-elected in 2017 and 2019.

Derek's work in Parliament 2015-2021

Select Committees 

  • Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Select Committee 2020 - present

  • Environmental Audit Select Committee, 2019 

  • Work and Pensions Select Committee, 2018 - 2019

  • Health and Social Care Select Committee, 2018 - 2019

  • Science and Technology Select Committee, 2015-17

The committees, to which MPs are elected by their peers at the start of the new parliament, exists to ensure that Government policy and decision-making is based on expert advice and evidence. Derek is an active member of the Environmental, Food and Rural Affairs Committee, which is chaired by Neil Harris MP. This cross-party committee exists to to scrutinise the administration, spending and policy of the Government’s Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

All Party Parliamentary Groups (APPGs): 

All-Party Parliamentary Groups (APPGs) are cross-party groups formed by MPs and Members of the House of Lords who share a common interest in a particular policy area, region or country.

While they are not official parliamentary committees these groups can be influential because of their non-partisan, bicameral approach to an issue.

Office holder for:

Other: 

  • Member of the Great South West Alliance

To view Derek's activity in Parliament, including speeches and voting in parliament, please click here.

News

MP's column

2021 will be remembered for various reasons - for many these memories are painful.

MP's column

Hopefully many will have received prior notice of my ‘drop-in’ events that are planned for this weekend. They take place in Porthleven, Newlyn, Pendeen, Goldsithney, Long Rock, Godolphin, St Buryan and Manaccan.

New boats for Scilly

In this afternoon’s budget, the Chancellor of the Exchequer has announced that the Levelling Up Fund will invest £48.4m in three new vessels for the Isles of Scilly.  “Levelling up” is the government’s strategy for its manifesto commitment: “not just investing in our rural and coastal areas, but

MP's column

I was shocked, sickened and angry when I learned of the murder of my colleague Sir David Amess. He had been an MP for a long time but he did not treat us newer intakes with anything but respect, humour and friendship. He certainly had little interest in point-scoring or self-promotion.

MP's column

As we get older, if you are like me, we hang on to the belief that we are still with it when it comes to the latest trends, fashion and music. Unfortunately I was found out when I was invited to meet Tom Parker, a singer of the band The Wanted which has sold more than 10m records worldwide.

MP's column

If there was ever a time to tackle loneliness and isolation it is now. One of the severe ‘side-effects’ of the covid pandemic has been the sharp increase in people who are lonely and isolated and, as a result, feel anxious and fearful.

MP's Column

This Parliament is unique in that it is able to debate and pass legislation paving the way for trading agreements around the world - something the UK Parliament has not been able to do for decades.

MP's Column

There are many aspects of the job of Member of Parliament for West Cornwall and Scilly that are rewarding and worthwhile but not much tops the opportunity to meet constituents at the drop-in events, the latest of which I hosted in various pubs last week.

MP's Column

A vibrant tourism sector relies on good transport networks and, at the moment, public transport is nowhere near to offering a viable alternative to cars for most tourists. Therein lies the problem.