Richard Benyon was elected as Conservative MP for Newbury on May 6th 2005, with a majority of 3,460, ending Newbury’s 12 years as a Liberal Democrat constituency.

Richard has been working hard for West Berkshire for many years, helping residents, businesses and charities. He has also helped run bodies committed to improving life in West Berkshire, from the West Berkshire Partnership to the Kennet and Pang Valley Countryside Projects.

In Parliament, Richard is  a member of the Opposition Front Bench serving as a Whip.   This means he is part of the team that co-ordinates the Parliamentary work of Conservative MPs.   It also means he is a member of the Shadow Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, as well as the Culture Media and Sports Front Bench teams.  Richard is also the Parliamentary Private Secretary to Lord Strathclyde, The Leader of the Opposition in the House of Lords.

As a former soldier, Richard takes a great interest in the welfare of servicemen and their families.  He is a Trustee of the charity “Help for Heroes” (www.helpforheroes.org.uk).  Other special interests include defence, Northern Ireland and the situation in Africa – particularly Zimbabwe, where he has seen the misery caused by Mugabe’s regime at first hand.

In Newbury, he aims to help keep vital services local.  From opposing plans to merge the police, NHS and fire service, to helping towns and villages hold on to banks, shops and pubs, Richard knows the damage caused when services are withdrawn.  He led a vigorous campaign to oppose the enforced closure of five local post offices.

Richard also has a wide range of local interests, from rural affairs, to regenerating rundown communities, and protecting the area from overdevelopment.

Before entering Parliament Richard was a soldier in the Royal Green Jackets, serving in Northern Ireland and the Far East.  He qualified as a Chartered Surveyor and managed a family business involving farming as well as rural and urban housing.  Richard became Opposition Leader on Newbury District Council. He fought the Newbury constituency in 1997 and 2001 before winning in 2005

Richard is married to Zoe, with whom he has two sons, Louis & Jimmy. He also has three sons, Harry, Thomas and Freddie, from his previous marriage.

If you have any questions about our privacy policy please contact Richard Benyon at: mp@richardbenyon.com