Richard Drax

Richard Drax was born on 29 January 1958 in Westminster, London, into the Drax family. He was privately educated at Harrow School before going to the Royal Agricultural College in Cirencester, where he graduated with a diploma in rural land management in 1990, receiving a further diploma in journalism in 1995.{{Cite web|url=http://www.freebmd.org.uk/cgi/information.pl?cite=ZiuE2HybjRDcNso9RyLScg&scan=1|title=Index entry|access-date=23 November 2016|work=FreeBMD|publisher=ONS}}{{cite web |title=DRAX, Richard Grosvenor |url=http://www.ukwhoswho.com/view/article/oupww/whoswho/U251566 |work=Who's Who 2013 |publisher=A & C Black |access-date=29 June 2013 |date=November 2012}}

Drax passed out from the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst and was commissioned in the British Army joining the Coldstream Guards on 9 December 1978 as a second lieutenant.{{London Gazette |issue=47757 |date=29 January 1979 |page=1300 |supp=y}} Drax was promoted to lieutenant on 9 December 1980,{{London Gazette |issue=48460 |date=22 December 1980 |page=17809 |supp=y}} before being transferred to the Regular Army Reserve of Officers after active service on 9 December 1983, ending his first period of full-time military service.{{London Gazette |issue=49574 |date=19 December 1983 |page=16793 |supp=y}}

Drax was reinstated on the Active List on 10 September 1984, beginning his second and final period of regular service. He retained the rank of lieutenant with seniority from 10 September 1981 to reflect the three years he had served.{{London Gazette |issue=49904 |date=22 October 1984 |page=14268 |supp=y}} He was promoted to captain on 10 March 1986.{{London Gazette |issue=50461 |date=17 March 1986 |page=3836 |supp=y}}

He relinquished his British Army commission on 9 September 1987, thereby retiring after nine years' service as a Coldstreamer.{{London Gazette |issue=51067 |date=21 September 1987 |page=11736 |supp=y}}

Drax worked at York's Evening Press as a reporter in 1991, before joining BBC South, where he appeared on both radio and television media, including the daily television news programme South Today.{{cite web|title=Dorset South Tories choose Drax|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/dorset/5223286.stm|publisher=BBC News|date=28 July 2006|access-date=29 June 2013}}

Drax was selected as a Conservative prospective parliamentary candidate in July 2006. In 2009, Drax faced criticism from political rivals for "hiding his aristocratic roots" by not using his full quadruple-barrelled name. It was suggested the then leader of the Conservative Party, David Cameron, had asked wealthy Conservative candidates to shorten their names to appear more in touch with normal people. Drax denied the accusations, saying that he used the shortened version of his name only because of the "logistic mouthful", while Cameron's comments were a "throw away joke".{{Cite news |last=Phillips |first=Miriam |date=8 December 2009 |title=Richard Drax hits out over name change claims |url=http://www.dorsetecho.co.uk/news/4782465.Richard_Drax_hits_out_over_name_change_claims/ |access-date=4 September 2018 |work=Dorset Echo}}

At the 2010 general election, Drax was elected as MP for South Dorset with 45.1% of the vote and a majority of 7,443.{{cite news |url=http://www.dorsetecho.co.uk/news/8153395.Election_2010__Sweeping_victory_for_Tory_Richard_Drax |newspaper=Dorset Echo |title=Election 2010: Sweeping victory for Tory Richard Drax |date=7 May 2010 |first= Laura|last= Kitching |author2=Catherine Bolado}}{{cite web |title=Election Data 2010 |url=http://www.electoralcalculus.co.uk/electdata_2010.txt |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130726162034/http://www.electoralcalculus.co.uk/electdata_2010.txt |archive-date=26 July 2013 |access-date=17 October 2015 |publisher=Electoral Calculus}}{{Cite web |last=Grainger |first=Tom |date=20 April 2010 |title=Statement of Persons Nominated and Notice of Poll |url=http://www.dorsetforyou.com/media.jsp?mediaid=147497&filetype=pdf |access-date=24 April 2010 |work=Acting Returning Officer |publisher=Weymouth & Portland Borough Council |format=PDF}} He was re-elected as MP for South Dorset at the 2015 general election with an increased vote share of 48.7% and an increased majority of 11,994.{{cite web |title=Election Data 2015 |url=http://www.electoralcalculus.co.uk/electdata_2015.txt |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151017112223/http://www.electoralcalculus.co.uk/electdata_2015.txt |archive-date=17 October 2015 |access-date=17 October 2015 |publisher=Electoral Calculus}}

In the House of Commons he has sat on the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee and served on the European Scrutiny Committee.{{cite web|title=Richard Drax|url=https://www.parliament.uk/biographies/commons/richard-drax/4132|website=Parliament UK|access-date=4 September 2018}}

Drax campaigned for Brexit during the 2016 referendum.{{cite web |title=Vote Leave |url=https://www.richarddrax.com/campaigns/vote-leave |website=Richard Drax |access-date=21 April 2021}}

At the snap 2017 general election, Drax was again re-elected, with an increased vote share of 56.1% and a decreased majority of 11,695.{{cite web |year=2017 |title=South Dorset |url=https://electionresults.parliament.uk/election/2017-06-08/results/Location/Constituency/South%20Dorset |access-date=27 December 2020 |work=2017 Election Results |publisher=UK Gov}}

In April 2019, in a speech in the House of Commons, Drax said that he "made the wrong call" by supporting the government's Brexit deal and called for the resignation of Theresa May if she failed to take the UK out of the EU by 12 April.{{cite news |last1=Evans |first1=Albert |title=Tory MP Richard Drax says he made a mistake voting for Theresa May's Brexit deal |url=https://inews.co.uk/news/uk/brexit-vote-richard-drax-theresa-may-deal-commons-video-275500 |access-date=21 April 2021 |work=inews |date=1 April 2019}} Drax praised May's successor, Boris Johnson, for achieving a trade deal in December 2020,{{cite news |last1=Nash |first1=Vicky |title=South Dorset MP, Richard Drax, praises Brexit trade deal |url=https://www.dorsetecho.co.uk/news/18981837.south-dorset-mp-richard-drax-praises-brexit-trade-deal/ |access-date=21 April 2021 |work=Dorset Echo |date=2 January 2021}} but in February 2021 expressed concern over the Northern Ireland Protocol and disruption to trade in Northern Ireland.{{cite news |last1=Woodcock |first1=Andrew |title=Brexiteers failed to take UK out of EU as single country, Tory MP admits |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/brexit-northern-ireland-uk-eu-drax-b1799315.html |access-date=21 April 2021 |work=The Independent |date=8 February 2021}}

During the 2019 general election campaign, Drax apologised after his Land Rover, with a campaign poster on the vehicle, was photographed parking across two disabled parking spaces outside his campaign headquarters. Drax responded to the incident by saying: "I popped in to get some literature and very thoughtlessly parked on those lines which I immediately regretted and apologise to the organisation straight away. I rushed in and rushed out. I've never done it before and never done it since but it was a real moment of thoughtlessness and it won't happen again."{{cite news|title='Moment of thoughtlessness' says Richard Drax after parking across disabled bay|url=https://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/18090555.richard-drax-parked-disabled-spaces-moment-thoughtlessness/|first=Faith|last= Eckersall|date=11 December 2019|access-date=24 June 2021|website=Bournemouth Echo|language=en}}{{Cite web|last=Jankowicz|first=Mia|date=10 December 2019|title=Tory candidate left his campaign vehicle across TWO disabled parking spots|url=https://www.theneweuropean.co.uk/brexit-news/richard-drax-ranger-rover-disabled-parking-64800|access-date=24 June 2021|website=The New European|language=en-UK}} He was again re-elected at the 2019 general election, with an increased vote share of 58.8% and an increased majority of 17,153.{{Cite web |title=Statement of Persons Nominated |url=https://www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/councillors-committees-elections/elections-and-voting/pdfs/2019-UK-Parliamentary/statement-of-persons-nominated-and-notice-of-poll-south-dorset.pdf}}{{cite news |title=Dorset South Results |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/politics/constituencies/E14000936 |access-date=13 December 2019 |website=BBC News}}

In June 2020, Drax wrote an article in the Dorset Echo suggesting that rioters linked to the Black Lives Matter protests had been responsible for desecrating The Cenotaph war memorial in London.{{cite news|url=https://www.dorsetecho.co.uk/news/18530263.column-mp-richard-drax/|title=Column: A wave of intolerance has swept this country|first=Richard |last=Drax|date=20 June 2020|work=Dorset Echo}}

In May 2022, Drax criticised the decision by Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak to introduce a windfall tax on oil and gas firms to fund economic support for the public during the cost-of-living crisis, accusing him of "throwing red meat to socialists".{{cite news |last1=Alfonso |first1=Marie-Claire |title=Dorset MP Richard Drax criticises new windfall tax announcement |url=https://www.dorsetecho.co.uk/news/20168222.dorset-mp-richard-drax-criticises-new-windfall-tax-announcement/ |access-date=27 May 2022 |work=Dorset Echo |date=26 May 2022}}

Drax endorsed Suella Braverman during the July 2022 Conservative Party leadership election.{{cite news |last1=Alfonso |first1=Marie-Claire |title=MP Richard Drax backs Attorney General Suella Braverman to become Johnson's successor |url=https://www.dorsetecho.co.uk/news/20268705.mp-richard-drax-backs-attorney-general-suella-braverman-become-johnsons-successor/ |access-date=10 July 2022 |work=Dorset Echo |date=10 July 2022}} After Braverman was eliminated, he supported Liz Truss.{{cite news |title=Next Tory Leader. Which MP is backing whom – the updated list. Truss on 149, Sunak on 132. The Foreign Secretary's lead amongst MPs grows. |url=https://conservativehome.com/2022/08/25/next-tory-leader-whos-backing-whom-our-working-list/ |access-date=28 September 2022 |work=ConservativeHome |date=25 August 2022}}

He endorsed Boris Johnson in the October 2022 Conservative Party leadership election.{{Cite web |title='I'm backing Boris': South Dorset MP's support for ex-PM in Tory leadership race|first=Martin |last=Lea |url=https://www.dorsetecho.co.uk/news/23070802.south-dorset-mps-support-boris-johnson/ |access-date=2022-10-22 |website=Dorset Echo |date=22 October 2022 |language=en}} Drax voted against the Windsor Framework.{{Cite web |title=Two Dorset MPs part of Conservative rebel group over new Brexit deal with EU|first=Jason |last=Lewis |url=https://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/23408300.two-dorset-mps-part-rebel-group-brexit-deal-eu/ |access-date=2023-03-25 |website=Bournemouth Echo |date=24 March 2023 |language=en}}

In March 2024, Drax was criticised by wildlife charities after he called for the culling of animals, such as deer and foxes, to control their numbers.{{Cite news |date=2024-03-08 |title=Animal charities call MP Richard Drax cull comments 'ignorant' |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-dorset-68502229 |access-date=2024-03-09 |work=BBC News|first=Charlotte |last=Andrews |language=en-GB}}{{Cite news |date=2024-03-05 |title=MP Richard Drax calls for more wild animals to be culled|first=Charlotte |last=Andrews |author2= PA Media |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-dorset-68470898 |access-date=2024-03-09 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}

In the 2024 United Kingdom general election, Drax lost his 17,153 (33.6%) majority to Labour candidate Lloyd Hatton.{{cite web|url=https://www.somersetlive.co.uk/news/local-news/hold-general-election-2024-conservatives-9389184|title=General Election 2024: Conservatives lose South Dorset as Labour's Lloyd Hatton clinches seat|first=Mike|last=Taylor|website=SomersetLive|date=5 July 2024|access-date=13 December 2024}}

File:Arms of Drax of Charlborough Park.svg]]{{Main|Plunkett-Ernle-Erle-Drax}}

Drax lives in his family's ancestral seat, Charborough House – a Grade I listed manor house in rural Dorset. He is the largest individual landowner in Dorset, owning approximately {{convert|13,870| acre|ha}}, equivalent to 2% of the land in Dorset.{{cite web |last1=Shrubsole |first1=Guy |title=The ten landowners who own one-sixth of Dorset. |url=https://whoownsengland.org/2020/01/04/the-ten-landowners-who-own-one-sixth-of-dorset/ |website=Who Owns England?|date=4 January 2020}} He also owns the {{convert|2,200|acre|ha|adj=on}} Ellerton Abbey farming estate in Swaledale, North Yorkshire, and the nearby {{convert|520|acre|ha|adj=on}} Copperthwaite Allotment grouse moor.{{cite news|first=Paul|last= Lashmar|author2= Jonathan Smith|date=12 December 2020|title=He's the MP with the Downton Abbey lifestyle. But the shadow of slavery hangs over the gilded life of Richard Drax|url=http://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/dec/12/hes-the-mp-with-the-downton-abbey-lifestyle-but-the-shadow-of-slavery-hangs-over-the-gilded-life-of-richard-drax|access-date=13 December 2020|newspaper=The Guardian|language=en}}

Drax is the eldest son of Henry Walter Plunkett-Ernle-Erle-Drax (1928–2017){{cite news|url=http://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/15425586.Obituary__Henry_Walter_Plunkett_Ernle_Erle_Drax/ |work=Daily Echo|title=Obituary of Henry Walter Plunkett-Ernle-Erle-Drax|first=Michaela|last= Horsfield|date= 21 July 2017|access-date=20 April 2018}} and The Hon. Pamela Weeks (1931–2019) and a grandson of Admiral The Hon. Sir Reginald Drax, younger son of the 17th Lord Dunsany thereby being a member of the Barony of Dunsany. His great-uncle was the writer and playwright the 18th Lord Dunsany, and a cousin of his is the 21st and present Lord Dunsany.{{cite book |title=Burke's Peerage & Baronetage |title-link=Burke's Peerage |publisher=Burke's Peerage & Gentry Ltd |year=2003 |isbn=0-9711966-2-1 |editor-last=Mosley |editor-first=Charles |edition=107th |location=London |page=1240 (DUNSANY, B)}}

His first wife was Zara Legge-Bourke, younger sister of the royal nanny Tiggy Legge-Bourke, relations of the Earl of Dartmouth. They divorced in 1997. Drax married his second wife; Eliza, daughter of Commander James Dugdale, in 1998. Drax since married his third wife, Norwegian-born Elsebet Bødtker, and has four children in total.

At least six of his ancestors, including John Samuel Wanley Sawbridge Erle-Drax and the 17th Lord Dunsany, were Members of Parliament for Dorset and Gloucestershire between the 1680s and 1880s.

A 2020 investigation by The Guardian found that Richard Drax still owns and grows sugar on the same Drax Hall Estate in Barbados that made the family's fortune. Over 200 years, 30,000 slaves died at this and the other Drax plantations, according to Professor Sir Hilary Beckles, Chair of CARICOM's Reparations Commission, who has said: "The Drax family has done more harm and violence to the black people of Barbados than any other."

In 2023, the Barbados Government announced it was seeking reparations from Drax for his ancestors' involvement in slavery.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/nov/26/barbados-tory-mp-pay-reparations-family-slave-richard-drax-caribbean-sugar-plantation|title=Barbados plans to make Tory MP pay reparations for family's slave past|first=Paul |last=Lashmar|author2=Jonathan Smith|access-date=26 November 2022|work=The Guardian|date=26 November 2022}} The Reparations Commission wanted Drax Hall to be returned to Barbados, to be made into a museum. However, in 2024, the case was dropped due to public opposition to the proposed purchase.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/apr/24/barbados-leader-halts-3m-payout-to-uk-mp-for-drax-hall-plantation|title=Barbados leader halts £3m payout to UK MP for Drax Hall plantation|first=Paul |last=Lashmar|author2=Jonathan Smith|newspaper=The Guardian|date=24 April 2024}}{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/world/barbados-halts-ps3m-tory-plantation-b2533864.html|title=Barbados halts £3m plan to purchase Tory MP's former slavery plantation amid backlash|author-link=Nadine White|first=Nadine|last=White|access-date=10 July 2024|work=The Independent|date=24 April 2024}}

• Baron of Dunsany
• Baron Plunket

{{Reflist}}

{{commons category}}

• {{official website|http://richarddrax.com}}
• {{UK MP links | parliament = richard-drax/4132 | publicwhip = Richard_Drax | theywork = richard_drax }}
• [http://www.conservatives.com/People/Members_of_Parliament/Drax_Richard.aspx Drax's Conservative Party Profile] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100515141158/http://www.conservatives.com/People/Members_of_Parliament/Drax_Richard.aspx |date=15 May 2010 }}
• [http://www.dorsetlife.co.uk/2013/01/not-your-usual-mp/ Dorset Life]
• {{C-SPAN|76068}}

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{{s-bef|before = Jim Knight }}

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| title = Member of Parliament
for South Dorset

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{{s-aft|after=Lloyd Hatton}}

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Category:1958 births

Category:20th-century British journalists

Category:21st-century English politicians

Category:Alumni of the Royal Agricultural University

Category:BBC newsreaders and journalists

Category:British Eurosceptics

Category:Coldstream Guards officers

Category:Conservative Party (UK) MPs for English constituencies

Richard

Category:Ernle family

Category:Graduates of the Royal Military College, Sandhurst

Category:Living people

Category:Members of the Parliament of the United Kingdom for South Dorset

Category:People educated at Harrow School

Category:People from Westminster

Category:UK MPs 2010–2015

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