Lee Anderson
Reform UK · Ashfield
FULL PROFILELee Anderson is the Reform UK MP for Ashfield, first elected in 2019. As an opposition MP, they are expected to vote against the government on most whipped divisions. They have changed party during this parliament.
Ideology
Voting Behaviour
Key Interests
Immigration and asylum policy · Welfare reform · Local services and housing · Mental health (particularly youth suicide) · Cost of living and food prices
Positions
Immigration — Supports strict controls and caps on migration
strong
Asylum system — Advocates for much stricter asylum processes
strong
Welfare — Believes current benefits are generous, supports reform
strong
EU relations — Strongly opposes closer EU integration
strong
Abortion — Opposes easier access to abortion services
moderate
COVID restrictions — Opposed health regulations and vaccine passports
moderate
Youth mental health — Advocates for better support following local tragedy
moderate
Local services — Prioritises housing and healthcare for existing residents
strong
Notable Rebellions
2021-12-14 — Voted against COVID vaccine passport requirements, reflecting libertarian stance on health restrictions
2024-01-17 — Supported amendments to strengthen the Rwanda asylum policy, showing harder line than Conservative government
2020-09-02 — Supported recall mechanism for MPs who change parties, despite later switching parties himself
Reasoning Style
Populist and constituency-focused, using plain-speaking language and personal anecdotes ('mi duck', references to local businesses like Wade's cheese counter) to connect policy arguments to everyday experiences of working-class voters in Ashfield.
Background
Anderson worked in mining and later as a Labour councillor before switching to the Conservatives and then Reform UK, bringing working-class credentials and local government experience to Parliament.