Penny Mordaunt
Penny Mordaunt is a British politician who currently serves as the MP (Member of Parliament) for Portsmouth North. She has held various positions in the UK government, including Minister of State for Disabled People, Work and Health, and Minister of State for the Armed Forces. Mordaunt was also the Secretary of State for International Development from 2017 to 2019. In addition to her political career, Mordaunt has a background in the Royal Navy and is a trained diver
Penny Mordaunt is a British politician who has served in various government positions over the years. She was born on March 4, 1973, in Torquay, Devon, England. Mordaunt is a member of the Conservative Party and has been a Member of Parliament (MP) since 2010, representing the constituency of Portsmouth North.
Mordaunt began her career as a magician’s assistant and worked in communications and public relations before entering politics. She was elected as a local councillor for the City of Portsmouth in 1997 and served in that position until 2003. In 2006, she was elected as a Member of the European Parliament (MEP) for the South East England constituency and served in that role until 2010.
In 2010, Mordaunt was elected to the UK Parliament as the MP for Portsmouth North. She quickly rose through the ranks and was appointed as the Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Secretary of State for Defence in 2012. She later served as the Minister of State for Armed Forces from 2017 to 2019, where she was responsible for defence personnel, welfare, and estates.
In 2019, Mordaunt was appointed as the Secretary of State for Defence, becoming the first woman to hold the position in the UK. During her tenure, she oversaw the UK’s military operations and led efforts to modernize the armed forces. She was also responsible for the country’s national security and played a key role in negotiations with the US government over the UK’s involvement in the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program.
Mordaunt has been a vocal advocate for women’s rights and gender equality. In 2014, she founded the Girls’ Brigade in Parliament, a group aimed at empowering girls and young women. She has also been a supporter of the Armed Forces Covenant, which aims to ensure that members of the armed forces and their families are treated fairly.
In addition to her political career, Mordaunt has been involved in various charitable activities. She is a patron of the Wessex Cancer Trust and the RSPCA Portsmouth and District Branch. She has also raised money for various causes, including the Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity and the Royal British Legion.
In 2016, Mordaunt was appointed as Minister of State for Disabled People, Health and Work, where she worked on improving employment opportunities for disabled people and promoting mental health in the workplace. She also led the government’s efforts to reduce the disability employment gap and improve access to healthcare for disabled people.
In 2017, Mordaunt was appointed as the UK’s International Development Secretary, where she oversaw the country’s foreign aid budget and worked on initiatives to reduce poverty and promote sustainable development in developing countries. During her time in this role, she launched the Department for International Development’s first disability inclusion strategy and campaigned for greater gender equality in international development.
In 2019, Mordaunt was appointed as the UK’s Defence Secretary, becoming the first woman to hold the position. In this role, she was responsible for overseeing the country’s armed forces and ensuring national security. She also worked on improving mental health support for veterans and promoting greater diversity in the armed forces.
Throughout her career, Mordaunt has been a strong advocate for social justice and equality. She has championed causes such as disability rights, gender equality, and access to healthcare and education for all. She has also been a vocal supporter of Brexit and campaigned for the UK to leave the European Union.
In 2010, Mordaunt was elected as the Member of Parliament (MP) for Portsmouth North, becoming the first woman to hold the seat. She was re-elected in 2015 and 2017 with increased majorities, and in the 2019 general election, she was elected as the MP for the nearby constituency of Portsmouth North.
During her time as an MP, Mordaunt held a number of positions, including serving as the Minister of State for Disabled People, Work and Health in the Department for Work and Pensions, and as the Minister of State for Armed Forces in the Ministry of Defence. In May 2019, she was appointed as the first female Defence Secretary, following the resignation of Gavin Williamson.
As Defence Secretary, Mordaunt oversaw the UK’s military operations and strategic defence policy, including the deployment of British troops to various conflict zones around the world. She also worked to improve the welfare of military personnel and their families, and to promote diversity and inclusivity within the armed forces.
In addition to her government roles, Mordaunt has been actively involved in various charitable and community initiatives throughout her career. She has been a patron of the charity Autism Wessex, a trustee of the Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity, and a supporter of the Royal British Legion.
Mordaunt is also a trained Royal Navy Reservist and was the first MP to be appointed as an Honorary Royal Naval Reserve Officer. She has been involved in various military and naval activities, including being the first serving reservist to swim the Solent in 2007 to raise funds for the Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity.
Overall, Penny Mordaunt is a highly accomplished and respected politician who has held a number of important roles in government, including serving as the UK’s first female Defence Secretary. She has also been actively involved in charitable and community initiatives, and has a strong commitment to supporting the armed forces and promoting diversity and inclusivity.