Simon Hart
{{Short description|British politician (born 1963)}}
{{Use British English|date=August 2019}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2019}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| honorific-prefix = The Right Honourable
| name = The Lord Hart of Tenby
| honorific-suffix = PC
| image = Simon Hart Official Cabinet Portrait, October 2022 (cropped).jpg
| office = Chief Whip of the House of Commons
Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury
| primeminister = Rishi Sunak
| term_start = 25 October 2022
| term_end = 5 July 2024
| predecessor = Wendy Morton
| successor = Alan Campbell
| office1 = Secretary of State for Wales
| primeminister1 = Boris Johnson
| predecessor1 = Alun Cairns
| successor1 = Robert Buckland
| term_start1 = 16 December 2019
| term_end1 = 6 July 2022
| office2 = Parliamentary Secretary for the Cabinet Office
| primeminister2 = Boris Johnson
| predecessor2 = Oliver Dowden
| successor2 = Jeremy Quin
| term_start2 = 24 July 2019
| term_end2 = 16 December 2019
| office3 = Member of Parliament
for Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire
| term_start3 = 6 May 2010
| term_end3 = 30 May 2024
| predecessor3 = Nick Ainger
| successor3 = Constituency abolished
| office4 = Member of the House of Lords
Lord Temporal
| term_start4 = 28 May 2025
Life peerage
| term_end4 =
| birth_name = Simon Anthony Hart
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1963|08|15|df=yes}}
| birth_place = Wolverhampton, Staffordshire, England
| death_date =
| death_place =
| residence = Narberth, Pembrokeshire, Wales
| alma_mater = Royal Agricultural College
| nationality = British
| party = Conservative
| website = {{URL|www.simon-hart.com}}
| caption = Official portrait, 2022
}}
Simon Anthony Hart, Baron Hart of Tenby (born 15 August 1963){{London Gazette |issue=59418 |date=13 May 2010 |page=8746}}{{Cite book|title=Hart, Simon Anthony |date=1 December 2012|doi = 10.1093/ww/9780199540884.013.U4000714}} is a British Conservative politician who served as the Member of Parliament (MP) for Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire from 2010 to 2024. He served as the Chief Whip of the House of Commons and Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury from October 2022 to July 2024.{{Cite web |title=Ministerial Appointments commencing: 25 October 2022 |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/ministerial-appointments-25-october-2022 |access-date=2022-10-27 |website=GOV.UK |language=en}} He previously served as Secretary of State for Wales in the Johnson government from 2019 to 2022.
After Boris Johnson was elected as Conservative leader and appointed prime minister, Hart was appointed Parliamentary Secretary for the Cabinet Office in July 2019. In December 2019, during the formation of the second Johnson ministry, Hart was promoted to the Cabinet as Secretary of State for Wales, succeeding Alun Cairns who had resigned from the position the previous month. In July 2022, he returned to the backbenches after resigning as Welsh Secretary amid a government crisis that culminated in Johnson's resignation. In October 2022, he was appointed Chief Whip by new prime minister Rishi Sunak. His seat was abolished in the boundary changes.{{Cite web |title=Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire is a former constituency. |url=https://members.parliament.uk/constituency/3395/location |access-date=30 September 2024 |website=UK Parliament}} He stood for the new seat of Caerfyrddin in the 2024 general election, but lost.{{Cite news |last=James |first=Rhiannon |date=5 July 2024 |title=Plaid Cymru swipes two Tory seats, ousting former chief whip Simon Hart |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/simon-hart-labour-party-stephen-crabb-plaid-cymru-wales-b2574379.html |access-date=30 September 2024 |work=The Independent}}
Early life and career
Simon Hart was born on 15 August 1963 in Wolverhampton and grew up in the Cotswolds. He was privately educated at Radley College before attending the Royal Agricultural College in Cirencester.{{cite web |url=http://ukpolitics.telegraph.co.uk/Carmarthen+West+%26+Pembrokeshire+South/Simon+Hart |title=Simon Hart |work=Telegraph.co.uk UK Political Database |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120721225024/http://ukpolitics.telegraph.co.uk/Carmarthen+West+%26+Pembrokeshire+South/Simon+Hart |archive-date=21 July 2012 |url-status=dead}} He worked as a chartered surveyor in Carmarthen and Haverfordwest and served with the Territorial Army for five years in the Royal Gloucestershire Hussars (part of the Royal Wessex Yeomanry).
Hart was Master and Huntsman of the South Pembrokeshire Hunt from 1988 to 1999. He was director of the Campaign for Hunting (fox hunting) from 1999 to 2003. He was the chief executive of the Countryside Alliance from 2003 to 2010, and later its chairman from 2015 to 2019.{{cite web |title=Hart, Rt Hon. Simon (Anthony), (born 15 Aug. 1963), PC 2019; MP (C) Carmarthen West and Pembrokeshire South, since 2010; Secretary of State for Wales, since 2019 |url=http://www.ukwhoswho.com/view/article/oupww/whoswho/U4000714 |website=Who's Who 2021 |publisher=Oxford University Press |access-date=3 November 2022 |language=en |date=1 December 2020}}
Parliamentary career
At the 2010 general election, Hart was elected as MP for Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire, winning with 41.1% of the vote and a majority of 3,423.{{cite web |title=Election Data 2010 |url=http://www.electoralcalculus.co.uk/electdata_2010.txt |url-status=dead |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}}[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/election2010/results/constituency/w26.stm Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire] BBC Election 2010 - Carmarthen West and Pembrokeshire South
Hart is an outspoken supporter of fox hunting and the badger cull. In January 2013, Hart said the RSPCA's legal role needs more oversight given its "political and commercial activities" in a critique of the charity's role lobbying against fox hunting.{{cite news |last=Mason |first=Rowena |date=29 January 2013 |title=RSPCA anti-hunting lawsuits driven by 'animal rights ideology' |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/9833780/RSPCA-anti-hunting-lawsuits-driven-by-animal-rights-ideology.html |access-date=11 June 2017 |work=The Daily Telegraph |location=London}} He actively campaigned in May 2013 to overturn the 2004 Hunting Bill and assist the National Farmers Union of England and Wales.{{cite press release |url=http://www.nfu-cymru.org.uk/News/NFU-Cymru-members-express-concern-for-future-of-the-dairy-industry-to-local-MP/ |title=NFU Cymru members express concern for future of the dairy industry to local MP |date=24 May 2013 |publisher=NFU Cymru |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130703185338/http://www.nfu-cymru.org.uk/News/NFU-Cymru-members-express-concern-for-future-of-the-dairy-industry-to-local-MP/ |archive-date=3 July 2013 |url-status=dead}}
Hart was re-elected as MP for Carmathen West and South Pembrokeshire at the 2015 general election with an increased vote share of 43.7% and an increased majority of 6,054.{{cite web |title=Election Data 2015 |url=http://www.electoralcalculus.co.uk/electdata_2015.txt |url-status=dead |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}}{{cite web |title=Pembrokeshire results |url=http://www.pembrokeshire.gov.uk/content.asp?nav=101,1580,1067&parent_directory_id=646 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111218143127/http://www.pembrokeshire.gov.uk/content.asp?nav=101,1580,1067&parent_directory_id=646 |archive-date=18 December 2011 |access-date=21 September 2015 |website=Election Results |publisher=Pembrokeshire County Council}}{{Cite news |title=Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire parliamentary constituency - Election 2015 |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/politics/constituencies/W07000066#election2015-logo |via=www.bbc.co.uk}}
Despite voting Remain in the 2016 European Union referendum,{{cite news |last1=Goodenough |first1=Tom |date=16 February 2016 |title=Which Tory MPs back Brexit, who doesn't and who is still on the fence? |url=http://blogs.spectator.co.uk/2016/02/which-tory-mps-back-brexit-who-doesnt-and-who-is-still-on-the-fence/ |access-date=11 October 2016 |work=The Spectator |location=London}} Hart has consistently argued that the result must be honoured and the UK must leave the EU. He helped form and lead the Brexit Delivery Group, a group of 51 MPs who argued for a negotiated exit from the EU.{{Cite news |last1=Payne |first1=Sebastian |last2=Tilford |first2=Cale |last3=Stabe |first3=Martin |date=28 March 2019 |title=The Conservative party's Brexit tribes: an interactive guide |url=https://ig.ft.com/brexit-tory-tribes |access-date=17 December 2019 |work=Financial Times |location=London}}
At the snap 2017 general election Hart was again re-elected, with an increased vote share of 46.8% and a decreased majority of 3,110.{{Cite news |title=Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire parliamentary constituency - Election 2017 |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/politics/constituencies/W07000066#election2017-logo |via=www.bbc.co.uk}}{{cite web |title=Parliamentary General Election 2017 |url=https://www.carmarthenshire.gov.wales/media/2236/cwsp-declaration-of-result-of-poll-ro-comp.pdf |access-date=18 January 2020 |website=Carmarthen County Council}}
In June 2017 Hart faced questions over breaches of the code of conduct and was being investigated over an alleged breach of paragraph 15.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-politics-40406401|title=Two MPs face code of conduct probes|work=BBC News|date=26 June 2017}}{{Cite news|url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/politics/welsh-mp-investigated-after-claim-13275077|title=A Welsh MP was investigated for 'wrongly using an envelope'|first=David|last=Williamson|date=3 July 2017|website=Wales Online}} He was later cleared.{{Cite web |last=Williamson |first=David |date=2017-07-03 |title=A Welsh MP was investigated for 'wrongly using an envelope' |url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/politics/welsh-mp-investigated-after-claim-13275077 |access-date=2024-09-30 |website=Wales Online |language=en}}
In August 2018, Hart accused actress Maxine Peake of hypocrisy, for 'taking money from the NHS for work on an advertisement, whilst attacking the Government for lack of investment in the NHS'. Peake responded that the fee came from an advertising agency and would not have gone back to the NHS if she had returned it, and she had donated the fee to The Salford Foundation Trust children's charity regardless.{{cite news |url= https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-45082137 |work=BBC News |date=6 August 2018 |title=Maxine Peake: Actress hits back over NHS ad 'hypocrisy' claim |access-date=19 November 2019}}
On 27 July 2019, in Boris Johnson's administration, he was promoted to Parliamentary Secretary at the Cabinet Office, with responsibility for policy implementation.{{Cite web |url= https://www.gov.uk/government/people/simon-hart |title=Simon Hart MP – GOV.UK |website=www.gov.uk |access-date=27 July 2019}} He replaced fellow Conservative Oliver Dowden and stood down as Chairman of the Countryside Alliance.{{cite news|url=https://www.agriland.co.uk/farming-news/countryside-alliance-chairman-stands-down-amid-cabinet-office-appointment/|title=Countryside Alliance chairman stands down amid Cabinet Office appointment |work=Agri Land |first=Rachel |last=Martin |date=1 August 2019 |access-date=19 November 2019}}
In the run-up to the 2019 general election, Hart shared an image of a campaign placard which had been defaced during the 2017 general election. Referencing the levels of "abuse … vitriol and intimidation" to which candidates had been subjected in 2017, Hart used a Facebook post to call for high standards of conduct among candidates, a subject on which he says he has worked to find cross-party solutions since the 2017 election.{{Cite journal|last1=Priddy|first1=Sarah|last2=Johnston|first2=Neil|date=17 May 2019|title=Intimidation in public life|url=https://researchbriefings.parliament.uk/ResearchBriefing/Summary/CDP-2019-0124}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/simon-hart-pembrokeshire-swastika-graffiti-nazi-sympathy-election-christina-rees-a9226291.html|title=Tory MP accused of adding swastika graffiti to his own election placard to get sympathy|work=The Independent|date=29 November 2019|access-date=29 March 2020|last=Cockburn|first=Harry}}
At the 2019 general election, Hart was again re-elected, with an increased vote share of 52.7% and an increased majority of 7,745.{{Cite news |title=Carmarthen West & Pembrokeshire South parliamentary constituency - Election 2019 |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/politics/constituencies/W07000066 |access-date=2019-11-30 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}{{cite web |title=Parliamentary General Election 2019 |url=https://www.carmarthenshire.gov.wales/media/1221096/cwsp-declaration-of-result-of-poll-ro-comp-date-corrected.pdf |access-date=18 January 2020 |website=Carmarthen County Council}}
Hart has served on the Political and Constitutional Reform Select Committee, Welsh Affairs Select Committee, Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Select Committee, Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee, Commons Select Committee on Standards and Commons Select Committee of Privileges.{{cite web|url=https://www.parliament.uk/biographies/commons/simon-hart/3944|title=Simon Hart MP|publisher=GOV.UK |access-date=19 November 2019}}
Due to the 2023 Periodic Review of Westminster constituencies, Hart's constituency of Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire was abolished, and replaced with Caerfyrddin. In June 2024, Hart was selected as the Conservative candidate for Caerfyddin at the 2024 general election.{{cite web|date=2024-06-07|title=Election of Member of Parliament to UK Parliament - Carmarthen Constituency - Notice of Poll and Persons Nominated|url=https://www.carmarthenshire.gov.wales/media/r4ap30sa/noticeofpollandpersonsnominatedandpollinglocations_carmarthen.pdf|website=Carmarthenshire County Council|language=en}}
He lost the election for the new seat of Caerfyrddin, coming third with 8,825 votes (19.4%).{{Cite news |last=James |first=Rhiannon |date=5 July 2024 |title=Plaid Cymru swipes two Tory seats, ousting former chief whip Simon Hart |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/simon-hart-labour-party-stephen-crabb-plaid-cymru-wales-b2574379.html |access-date=30 September 2024 |work=The Independent}}
= Ministerial positions =
Following the 2019 general election, Hart was appointed Secretary of State for Wales by Prime Minister Boris Johnson,{{Cite news |url= https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-politics-50809649 |title=Simon Hart appointed new Welsh secretary |date=16 December 2019 |access-date=17 December 2019 |work=BBC News}} replacing Alun Cairns.{{Cite news|url=https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/welsh-secretary-alun-cairns-resigns-17210099|title=Welsh Secretary Alun Cairns resigns over rape trial collapse scandal|work=North Wales Live|date=6 November 2019|access-date=29 March 2020|last=Hemming|first=Jez}}
On 22 April 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, he became the second minister to speak in the Commons chamber via remote video link, answering a question from Marco Longhi, the Conservative MP for Dudley North, who also spoke remotely.{{cite news |last1=Poole |first1=Danielle |title=Marco Longhi MP makes history by asking first question in virtual Parliament |url=https://www.worcesternews.co.uk/news/regional/18396729.marco-longhi-mp-makes-history-asking-first-question-virtual-parliament/ |access-date=22 April 2020 |work=Worcester News }}{{cite web |title=Welsh minister attacks Raab over target comments |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-52385005 |website=BBC News |access-date=22 April 2020 |date=22 April 2020}}
On 6 July 2022, Hart resigned from government in the wake of widespread criticism of Boris Johnson's handling of the Chris Pincher scandal, following the earlier resignations of Chancellor Rishi Sunak and Health Secretary Sajid Javid.{{cite news |title=Welsh Secretary Simon Hart resigns from UK Government - 'no other option left' |url=https://nation.cymru/news/welsh-secretary-simon-hart-resigns-from-uk-government-no-other-option-left/ |access-date=6 July 2022 |work=Nation.Cymru |date=6 July 2022}}
On 25 October 2022, Hart was appointed Chief Whip of the Conservative Party by Rishi Sunak as part of his first cabinet.
=House of Lords=
On 11 April 2025, Hart was awarded a life peerage in Rishi Sunak's Resignation Peerages List.{{cite website|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/resignation-honours-and-peerages-april-2025 |title= Resignation Honours and Peerages: April 2025|work=gov.uk |access-date=11 April 2025}} He was created as Baron Hart of Tenby, of Lampeter Velfrey in the County of Pembrokeshire on 28 May 2025.{{London Gazette|issue=64749|page=11210|date=3 June 2025}}
Personal life
Hart lives in Pembrokeshire with his wife Abigail. He has two adult children.{{cite web |title=MP website |url=https://www.simon-hart.com/about-simon-hart |access-date=7 February 2018 |publisher=GOV.UK}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{commons category}}
- [http://simon-hart.com Simon Hart MP] official constituency website
- [http://www.conservatives.com/People/Members_of_Parliament/Hart_Simon.aspx Simon Hart MP] Conservative Party profile
- [http://www.welshconservatives.com/person/simon-hart-mp Simon Hart MP] Welsh Conservative Party profile
- [http://www.cwandspconservatives.com/ Carmarthen West & South Pembrokeshire Conservatives]
- {{UK MP links | parliament = simon-hart/3944 | hansard = | hansardcurr = 5549 | guardian = 12006/simon-hart | publicwhip = Simon_Hart | theywork = simon_hart | record = Simon-Hart/Carmarthen-West-and-South-Pembrokeshire/849 | bbc = 53927.stm | journalisted = }}
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20100604041135/http://www.countryside-alliance.org.uk/the-alliance/about-us/our-board/ Profile] at the Countryside Alliance
- [https://www.youtube.com/user/SimonHartMP Official channel] at YouTube
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{{Johnson Cabinet}}
{{Sunak Cabinet}}
{{Secretaries of State for Wales}}
{{Conservative Chief Whips}}
{{Wales Conservative Party MPs}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Hart, Simon}}
Category:Alumni of the Royal Agricultural University
Category:Members of the Parliament of the United Kingdom for Carmarthenshire constituencies
Category:Members of the Parliament of the United Kingdom for Pembrokeshire constituencies
Category:Conservative Party (UK) MPs for Welsh constituencies
Category:People educated at Radley College
Category:Secretaries of State for Wales
Category:Members of the Privy Council of the United Kingdom
Category:Member of the Committee on Standards in Public Life