Sir Mel Stride
Conservative · Central Devon
FULL PROFILESir Mel Stride is the Conservative MP for Central Devon, first elected in 2010. He is 64 years old. As an opposition MP, they are expected to vote against the government on most whipped divisions.
Ideology
Voting Behaviour
Key Interests
Economic policy and fiscal responsibility · Welfare reform and employment support · Financial services regulation · Defence spending · Immigration and asylum policy
Positions
Immigration — Supports stricter immigration and asylum systems
strong
Taxation — Opposes increases to higher rate taxes and supports tax cuts
strong
Financial regulation — Advocates for deregulation and 'Big Bang' approach to financial services
strong
Welfare reform — Supports reforms to reduce welfare expenditure and improve work incentives
strong
EU relations — Pragmatic approach balancing Brexit implementation with economic interests
moderate
Defence spending — Scrutinises defence budget allocations and NATO spending commitments
moderate
COVID-19 measures — Supported government action to reduce spread of COVID-19
moderate
Government transparency — Mixed record on openness measures, opposing some transparency initiatives
weak
Reasoning Style
Highly detail-oriented and forensic in approach, using precise questioning to scrutinise government policy and expenditure. Combines technical financial expertise with political pragmatism, often focusing on implementation details and fiscal implications rather than broad ideological arguments.
Background
Before entering Parliament, Mel Stride had a career in finance and business, bringing private sector experience to his political role. He was educated at Oxford University and worked in the financial services industry before his election in 2010.