Amanda Milling

Milling was born on 12 March 1975 in Burton upon Trent, Staffordshire, England.{{cite book|last1=Dale|first1=Iain|last2=Smith|first2=Jacqui|title=The Honourable Ladies: Volume II: Profiles of Women MPs 1997–2019|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=E9a8DwAAQBAJ&pg=PT664|date=14 November 2019|publisher=Biteback Publishing|isbn=978-1-78590-447-9|page=664}} She attended Moreton Hall School, an independent day school in Shropshire.{{cite news|url=https://www.tatler.com/school/moreton-hall-tatler-school-guide|title=Moreton Hall|access-date=14 February 2020|work=Tatler}}{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2020/09/18/amanda-milling-pm-still-has-support-red-wall-despite-locking/|work=The Telegraph|title=Amanda Milling: 'The PM still has support of Red Wall despite locking down the North'|date=18 September 2020|last=Tominey|first=Camilla}}{{subscription required}} Milling then studied economics and statistics at University College London, graduating in 1997. Milling joined the Conservative Party while at university.{{cite book|last=Carr|first=Tim|title=The Politicos Guide to the New House of Commons 2015: Profiles of the New MPs and Analysis of the 2015 General Election Results|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=BVWqCQAAQBAJ&pg=PT335|date=18 May 2015|publisher=Biteback Publishing|isbn=978-1-84954-924-0|page=335}} Following university, Milling joined market research firm SW1 Research. She left the company in 1999 to join Quaestor where she eventually became a director. Milling then worked as head of clients for Optimisa Research between 2010 and 2014.

Milling was elected as a Conservative councillor for the Helmshore ward on the Rossendale Borough Council in Lancashire in 2009. Three years later she was promoted to deputy group leader on the council. She resigned her seat in 2014 after her selection as the Conservative candidate for the Cannock Chase constituency in Staffordshire.{{cite news|title=By-election due to be held after councillor steps down|url=https://www.rossendalefreepress.co.uk/news/local-news/by-election-due-held-after-councillor-7698144|work=Rossendale Free Press|access-date=4 March 2018|author=Dan O'Donoghue|date=1 September 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180305063739/https://www.rossendalefreepress.co.uk/news/local-news/by-election-due-held-after-councillor-7698144|archive-date=5 March 2018|url-status=live}} The incumbent Conservative MP Aidan Burley had previously announced that he would be standing down at the next election.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jan/21/tory-mp-aidan-burley-nazi-stag-party-france-offensive-not-antisemitic|work=The Guardian|title=Tory MP Aidan Burley ruled 'stupid' but not antisemitic for Nazi stag party|date=22 January 2014|access-date=14 February 2020|last1=Watt|first1=Nicholas|last2=Willsher|first2=Kim}}{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-26059862|work=BBC News|title=Nazi stag-do Tory MP Aidan Burley to step down|access-date=14 February 2020|date=5 February 2014}}

In the 2015 general election, she was elected with a majority of 4,923 (10.5%).{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/politics/constituencies/E14000618|title=Cannock Chase|access-date=14 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200214092229/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/politics/constituencies/E14000618|archive-date=14 February 2020|work=BBC News}} The following year, Milling was one of a number of MPs investigated by the Electoral Commission and the police for allegedly breaching spending regulations in the election.{{cite news| url=https://news.channel4.com/livepages/2016/election-expenses/| title=Election Expenses Exposed|publisher=Channel 4 News|access-date=27 July 2018| date=23 June 2016| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180501093140/https://news.channel4.com/livepages/2016/election-expenses/| archive-date=1 May 2018| url-status=live}} The Commission fined the Conservative Party £70,000 in March 2017 for "significant failures" in its reporting of campaign spending.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2017/mar/16/conservatives-fined-70000-for-campaign-spending-failures|work=The Guardian|title=Conservatives fined record £70,000 for campaign spending failures |date=16 March 2017|access-date=14 February 2020|last1=Elgot|first1=Jessica|last2=Mason|first2=Rowena}} After completing their investigation, the police referred the matter to the Crown Prosecution Service who concluded that, although there was evidence of inaccuracy in the reporting of spending, they would not take further action as it was not clear that candidates or agents had knowingly acted dishonestly.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-39865801|work=BBC News|title=No charges over 2015 Conservative battle bus cases|date=10 May 2017|access-date=27 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180628031934/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-39865801|archive-date=28 June 2018|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/live/2017/may/10/general-election-2017-tory-mps-expenses-one-show-politics-live?page=with:block-5912e677e4b0f5ae171e0e40|title=Corbyn says he is 'surprised' by CPS decision not to prosecute over Tory election expenses – as it happened|work=The Guardian|last=Sparrow|first=Andrew|date=10 May 2017|access-date=14 February 2020}}

During the 2015–2017 parliament, Milling served on the Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Committee, Education, Skills and the Economy Sub-Committee.{{cite web|url=https://members.parliament.uk/member/4454/career|title=Parliamentary career for Amanda Milling|access-date=14 February 2020|publisher=parliament.uk}} Parliamentary enquiries that she was part of include the collapse of BHS,{{cite web|url=https://www.parliament.uk/business/committees/committees-a-z/commons-select/work-and-pensions-committee/inquiries/parliament-2015/bhs-inquiry-16-17/membership/|title=BHS Inquiry Committee – membership|publisher=parliament.uk|access-date=30 August 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160822190103/http://www.parliament.uk/business/committees/committees-a-z/commons-select/work-and-pensions-committee/inquiries/parliament-2015/bhs-inquiry-16-17/membership/|archive-date=22 August 2016}} and the working practices at Sports Direct.{{cite web|url=https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201617/cmselect/cmbis/219/21901.htm#|title=House of Commons – Employment practices at Sports Direct – Business, Innovation and Skills Committee|publisher=parliament.uk|access-date=30 August 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160917062629/http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201617/cmselect/cmbis/219/21901.htm|archive-date=17 September 2016}} She also served on Bill Committees including for the Welfare Reform and Work Bill{{cite web|url=http://services.parliament.uk/bills/2015-16/welfarereformandwork/committees/houseofcommonspublicbillcommitteeonthewelfarereformandworkbill201516.html|title=House of Commons Public Bill Committee on the Welfare Reform and Work Bill 2015–16 — UK Parliament|publisher=parliament.uk|access-date=30 August 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160917041623/http://services.parliament.uk/bills/2015-16/welfarereformandwork/committees/houseofcommonspublicbillcommitteeonthewelfarereformandworkbill201516.html|archive-date=17 September 2016}} and Policing and Crime Bill.{{cite web|url=https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201516/cmpublic/policingandcrime/160315/am/160315s01.htm|title=House of Commons Public Bill Committee : Policing and Crime Bill (15 March 2016)|publisher=parliament.uk|access-date=30 August 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160917051000/http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201516/cmpublic/policingandcrime/160315/am/160315s01.htm|archive-date=17 September 2016}}

Milling supported the UK remaining within the European Union in the 2016 UK EU membership referendum.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-eu-referendum-35616946|title=EU vote: Where the cabinet and other MPs stand|date=22 June 2016|access-date=14 February 2020|work=BBC News}} After the referendum, she helped to organise Boris Johnson's 2016 Conservative leadership campaign.{{cite news|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/lifestyle/london-life/tory-leadership-election-boris-johnson-s-transformation-into-a-prime-minister-in-waiting-a3283781.html|work=London Evening Standard|title=Tory leadership election: Boris Johnson's transformation into a Prime Minister in waiting|last1=Murphy|first1=Joe|last2=Watts|first2=Joseph|date=29 June 2016|access-date=14 February 2020}} In the 2017 general election, she was re-elected with an increased majority of 8,391 (17.6%). She was made an assistant government whip during the reshuffle on 9 January 2018.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2018/jan/09/theresa-may-junior-ministerial-reshuffle-whos-in-whos-out|title=Theresa May's junior ministerial reshuffle: who's in and who's out|last=correspondent|first=Peter Walker Political|date=9 January 2018|work=The Guardian|access-date=9 January 2018|issn=0261-3077|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180116140702/https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2018/jan/09/theresa-may-junior-ministerial-reshuffle-whos-in-whos-out|archive-date=16 January 2018|url-status=live}} Milling voted for then Prime Minister Theresa May's Brexit withdrawal agreement in early 2019.{{cite news|url=https://ig.ft.com/brexit-exit-deal-vote/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190902092554/https://ig.ft.com/brexit-exit-deal-vote/|archive-date=2 September 2019|date=29 March 2019|title=How MPs voted on May's withdrawal deal defeat|work=Financial Times}}

After the election of Johnson as prime minister in July 2019, she was appointed as Deputy Chief Whip and Treasurer of the Household in his ministry.{{cite web|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/people/amanda-milling|title=Amanda Milling MP – gov.uk|publisher=www.gov.uk|access-date=28 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190728135003/https://www.gov.uk/government/people/amanda-milling|archive-date=28 July 2019|url-status=live}} She voted for Johnson's Brexit withdrawal agreement in October 2019.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-50145265|work=BBC News|date=22 October 2019|access-date=14 February 2020|title=Brexit deal: How did my MP vote on the Withdrawal Agreement Bill?}} In the 2019 general election, she was re-elected with an increased majority of 19,879 (42.9%). As part of the 2020 cabinet reshuffle, Milling was promoted to Chairman of the Conservative Party and Minister without Portfolio.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2020/feb/13/boris-johnson-reshuffle-whos-in-whos-out-at-a-glance|work=The Guardian|title=Boris Johnson's reshuffle: who's in, who's out, at a glance|date=13 February 2020|access-date=14 February 2020|last1=Proctor|first1=Kate|last2=Walker|first2=Peter}}

At the 2021 British cabinet reshuffle, Milling was made the new Minister of State for Asia and the Middle East, making her the only cabinet minister to leave the cabinet whilst remaining part of the government.{{cite news|title=Amanda Milling sacked as Co-Chairman of Conservative Party in cabinet reshuffle|url=https://www.denbighshirefreepress.co.uk/news/national/uk-today/19582566.amanda-milling-sacked-co-chairman-conservative-party/|date=15 September 2021|access-date=18 September 2021|website=Denbighshire Free Press}} In May 2022, she visited the British Virgin Islands (BVI), an overseas territory, following the arrest by the Drug Enforcement Administration of former premier, Andrew Fahie, for alleged drug trafficking and smuggling in Miami, Florida.{{cite news|date=30 April 2022 |title=Plan for direct UK rule of British Virgin Islands opposed by acting premier |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/apr/30/call-for-direct-rule-of-british-virgin-islands-resisted-by-acting-premier|access-date=1 May 2022|work=The Guardian}}{{cite news|date=1 May 2022|title=British Virgin Islands: UK minister dispatched for governance talks|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-61280587|access-date=1 May 2022}} The following month, the government decided not to impose direct rule which had been recommended by the BVI's governor John Rankin as part of an inquiry into governance in the territory in April 2022 but instead allow time for reform by the local government overseen by Rankin.{{cite news|url=https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cbp-9538/|title=The potential for direct rule in the British Virgin Islands|date=16 August 2023|publisher=UK Parliament}}

Milling endorsed Nadhim Zahawi during the July 2022 Conservative Party leadership election.{{cite news |last1=Madeley |first1=Peter |title=Tory leadership race: Early favourite among region's MPs as nominations deadline looms |url=https://www.expressandstar.com/news/politics/2022/07/12/tory-leadership-race-penny-mordaunt-an-early-favourite-among-regions-mps-as-nominations-deadline-looms/ |access-date=12 July 2022 |work=Express & Star |date=12 July 2022}} She was succeeded as Minister of State for Asia by Zac Goldsmith and as Minister of State for the Middle East by Tariq Ahmad, Baron Ahmad of Wimbledon in September 2022.{{cite web|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/people/zac-goldsmith|title=Lord Goldsmith|publisher=gov.uk|accessdate=2 October 2023}}{{cite web|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/people/lord-ahmad-of-wimbledon|publisher=gov.uk|title=Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon|accessdate=2 October 2023}}

In the November 2023 British cabinet reshuffle, Milling was appointed a Lord Commissioner of the Treasury.{{Cite web |date=2023-11-16 |title=Ministerial appointments: November 2023 |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/ministerial-appointments-november-2023 |access-date=2023-11-17 |website=GOV.UK |language=en}}

Milling became a Privy Counsellor in February 2020, entitling her to the honorific The Right Honourable for life.{{Cite web |title=Orders for 19 February 2020 |url=https://privycouncil.independent.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/2020-02-19-List-of-Business.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210527181203/https://privycouncil.independent.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/2020-02-19-List-of-Business.pdf |archive-date=27 May 2021 |access-date=9 April 2021 |publisher=Privy Council Office}}

She was appointed Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) on 9 June 2023 as part of the 2022 Prime Minister's Resignation Honours.{{Cite web |date=9 June 2023 |title=Resignation Honours 2023 |url=https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1162124/Resignation_Honours_2023.pdf |access-date=9 June 2023 |website=GOV.UK}}{{London Gazette|date=21 July 2023|issue=64120|page=14503|supp=y}}

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Category:1975 births

Category:Alumni of University College London

Category:Conservative Party (UK) MPs for English constituencies

Category:Female members of the Parliament of the United Kingdom for English constituencies

Category:Members of the Privy Council of the United Kingdom

Category:Living people

Category:People educated at Moreton Hall School

Category:21st-century English women

Category:21st-century English politicians

Category:21st-century British women politicians

Category:UK MPs 2015–2017

Category:UK MPs 2017–2019

Category:UK MPs 2019–2024

Category:Dames Commander of the Order of the British Empire