Mark Garnier

Early life

Garnier was born in London in 1963. He was educated at Charterhouse School. In 1981 he joined the London Stock Exchange as a junior clerk on the Gilts Markets. In 1986 he left to join a succession of investment banks, working in the Far East Equity markets. His occupation prior to becoming an MP was a Fund Manager. He set up his own investment company from 1999.

Political career

Garnier was a district councillor of the Forest of Dean District Council from 2003 to 2007. He stood as the Conservative candidate in the 2005 general election, and then the 2010 general election for Wyre Forest where was elected Member of Parliament. The election saw a 7.4% swing towards Garnier, giving him a majority of almost 3,000 votes.

The bulk of Garnier's work in Parliament is focused on the constituency of Wyre Forest, including education, healthcare and economic development. In the latter category, Garnier is an enthusiastic supporter of HS2. He believes that Birmingham Airport will be an increasingly significant hub for the region that will help to ease pressure on Heathrow. He has also taken a centralist business approach to EU membership, choosing to eschew scepticism, but focus on the economic and trading gains to be had from trading relationships. Developing the theme of deregulation Garnier perceives the right environment for business to be essential. This can be achieved for young people through vocational courses in higher education that offer practical skills to become entrepreneurial.

In Westminster, Garnier serves on the Treasury Select Committee and raised a debate in the House on Commons on 29 November 2010 (with several other Conservative MPs) on the regulation of independent financial advisors. Garnier also serves on several All Party Parliamentary Groups and is Deputy Chairman of the APPG concerning Space.

In a speech on 19 January 2012, Garnier criticised a Labour proposal to set a minimum age for owning a shotgun certificate, arguing that shooting was a major competitive sport and that based on Countryside Alliance statistics there was "no reason" to feel uncomfortable with under 10s having licensed access to shotguns.

Garner was named by Conservative Home as one of a minority of loyal Conservative backbench MPs not to have voted against the government in any significant rebellions In September 2012. Garner was subsequently one of 80 Conservative MPs to oppose the Coalition's Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act 2013.

Garnier expressed disappointment at the decision of the regulator not to investigate incentives, pay and culture of the banks and their potential association with misconduct including the Libor scandal.

In the lead-up to the United Kingdom European Union membership referendum, 2016 Garnier supported the unsuccessful remain campaign. On 17 July 2016 he was appointed to the newly created position of Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for International Trade.

Controversy

Throughout his time in Parliament, Garnier (himself a smoker) has campaigned strongly to end tobacco smuggling. However, in 2012 it was revealed he had accepted tickets for the Chelsea Flower Show from Japan Tobacco International (JTI), costing £1,100. Commenting on this he said "All of us who are MPs in Worcestershire have taken pay cuts of some form or other from coming out of the private sector... If we wanted to have our nose in the trough I could go back to being an investment banker. The reason I'm an MP is the complete opposite to having my nose in the trough. Two years of hundred hour weeks. To pick on this one thing is really irritating."

In December 2014 he was criticised for comments he made during a speech at the Institute of Economic Affairs, arguing that his party shouldn't worry about attracting "dog-end voters" who live in "the outlying regions" of Britain.

Personal life

Garnier is married to Caroline, and they have three children. They live in Worcestershire, near the Wyre Forest constituency.

His cousin is Sir Edward Garnier QC, MP was Solicitor General from 2010 until 2012 and was the Member of Parliament for Harborough from 1992 until 2017.

He is a governor of Kidderminster College.