Louie French was elected as the Conservative Party MP for Old Bexley and Sidcup in a December 2021 by-election. The by-election was held after the death of the sitting Conservative MP and former Cabinet Minister, James Brokenshire, from lung cancer.
Mr French won the by-election with 51% of the vote, albeit on a reduced turnout, the Conservative majority dropped to 4,478.
The Old Bexley and Sidcup constituency is contained in the south eastern corner of London along the A2 and A20 down to the border with Kent. Containing a number of owner occupiers, many of the local population commute daily into central London. This is a safe Conservative seat which was previously represented in Parliament between 1950 and 2001, by the former Conservative Prime Minister, Sir Edward Heath.
Louie French worked in financial services in the City of London, specializing in sustainable investment and research, before being elected to Parliament.
French had previously been elected to Bexley Coucil for the Falconwood and Welling ward. Before his election to Parliament he was the Deputy Leader of Bexley Council between 2018 and 2021. He has lived in the area all his life. He has previously served as a school governor in Welling.
French claims to be a keen sportsman who enjoys cycling and walking. French has described his predecessor, James Brokenshire, as a ‘friend’ and ‘mentor’.
