Children 3 Spouse Marcus Whately (m. 2005) | Nationality British Role Politician Majority 16,652 (36.4%) Name Helen Whately | |
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Prime minister s questions 26 10 2016 helen whately
Helen Olivia Bicknell Whately (born 23 June 1976) is a British Conservative Party politician. Her early education was at Westminster School, London. Whately graduated with a bachelor's degree in Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE) from Lady Margaret Hall, Oxford. After graduation, she worked at PricewaterhouseCoopers, AOL, and McKinsey & Company. Whately was elected at the 2015 general election as the Member of Parliament (MP) for Faversham and Mid Kent, succeeding Hugh Robertson. She was re-elected in the 2017 general election.
Contents
- Prime minister s questions 26 10 2016 helen whately
- Prime minister s questions 14 12 16 helen whately mp
- Early life and career
- Parliamentary career
- Personal life
- References
Prime minister s questions 14 12 16 helen whately mp
Early life and career
Whately was born in Norwich on 23 June 1976 and grew up near Redhill, Surrey, England. Both her parents are doctors. She was educated at Westminster School in London. During her school years, she undertook work experience in hospitals with the intention of pursuing medicine as a career like her parents but Whately commented that it instead incentivised her to pursue a career in health consultancy. After taking her A Levels, she taught English in rural Nepal for a year. Whately then matriculated at Lady Margaret Hall, Oxford in 1995, graduating with a bachelor's degree in Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE). After university, she worked at PricewaterhouseCoopers for two years as a management consultant trainee before working at AOL where Whately was involved in setting up their internet film service. From 2007 to 2015, Whately worked as an engagement manager for the management consultancy firm McKinsey & Company in their healthcare division. Since 2015, she has been a vice-president of the Maidstone branch of the learning disability charity Mencap.
Whately contested the 2010 general election in the Kingston and Surbiton constituency, but lost to the Liberal Democrats candidate, Ed Davey by 7,560 votes (13.3%).
Parliamentary career
Whately was elected as MP for Faversham and Mid Kent at the 2015 general election with 24,895 votes (54%) and a majority of 16,652. Her maiden speech on 2nd June focussed on the National Health Service. In July, Whately was chosen to sit on the Commons Health Select Committee. She supports the repeal of the ban on foxhunting in England and Wales. Whately supported remaining within the European Union in the 2016 membership referendum. In July 2016, following Prime Minister Theresa May's cabinet formation, Whately was appointed as Parliamentary Private Secretary (PPS) to the International Trade Minister Greg Hands. She was also selected as the Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Mental Health and the APPG for Fruit and Vegetable Farming in October 2016.
Whately held her seat in the 2017 general election with 30,390 (61.1%) votes and an increased majority of 17,413. Following the election, she became the PPS to the Secretary of State for Education, and Minister for Women and Equalities Justine Greening. She campaigned with the Kent County Council for two new schools to be opened in Maidstone, Kent to relieve pressure on primary school places as well as offering more places for children with special needs. This resulted in the government announcing the opening of Maidstone Primary Academy and the secondary special school, Bearsted Academy (both to open in September 2018).
Personal life
Helen has been married to Marcus Whately (who she met at university) since 2005. They have three children. Marcus is the founder and co-chief executive officer of an energy company.