Dr Neil Hudson
Conservative · Epping Forest
FULL PROFILEDr Neil Hudson is the Conservative MP for Epping Forest, first elected in 2019. As an opposition MP, they are expected to vote against the government on most whipped divisions.
Ideology
Voting Behaviour
Key Interests
Animal welfare and biosecurity · Healthcare and mental health services · Rural communities and farming · Youth protection (vaping, social media) · Trade standards and food security
Positions
Animal welfare — Strong advocate for high welfare standards in farming and trade deals
strong
Biosecurity — Supports robust measures to prevent animal disease outbreaks
strong
Healthcare funding — Advocates for adequate mental health service funding and opposes policies that burden healthcare
moderate
Youth protection — Supports measures to prevent youth vaping and address social media harms
moderate
Trade standards — Opposes lowering UK food and welfare standards in trade deals
strong
Rural connectivity — Advocates for better mobile coverage and digital access in rural areas
moderate
Immigration — Supports stricter immigration and asylum systems
moderate
International aid — Opposed cuts to international aid spending
weak
Notable Rebellions
2020-2021 — Repeatedly voted against government to maintain EU-level standards in trade deals, particularly on food safety and animal welfare
2021-09-20 — Voted against government's approach to benefit uprating, showing concern for welfare support
2021-07-13 — Opposed government's reduction in international aid spending from 0.7% to 0.5% of GDP
Reasoning Style
Evidence-based and professionally informed, drawing heavily on veterinary expertise when addressing animal welfare, biosecurity, and food standards. Takes a constituency-focused approach to rural issues while maintaining pragmatic positions that sometimes conflict with party line when professional judgment or local interests are at stake.
Background
Dr Neil Hudson is a qualified veterinary surgeon who worked in veterinary practice before entering Parliament in 2019. His professional background in animal health and welfare has shaped his parliamentary focus on biosecurity, farming standards, and animal welfare issues.