Maria Caulfield was elected as the Conservative Party MP for Lewes in 2015, being reelected in 2019 with a majority of 2,457.
The constituency of Lewes is found on the East Sussex Coast between Eastbourne and Brighton, and includes the seaside resort of Seaford, the port of Newhaven, a number of rural villages in the South Downs, and the County town of Lewes. A relatively affluent constituency, this has been a long standing Liberal Democrat and Conservative marginal constituency. Having been held by the Lib Dems between 1997 and 2015, it has been narrowly won by the Conservatives ever since.
Caulfield was appointed Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department of Health in September 2021. She previously worked as an assistant government whip between 2019 and 2021, having previously served as PPS to Grant Shapps.
Caulfield was born in 1973, and grew up on a council estate in Wandsworth, London.
Prior to being elected to Parliament, Maria was a nurse at the Royal Marsden hospital in Chelsea, where she led a specialist breast cancer research team. Caulfield is a Breast Cancer Now ambassador. Her own mother died of breast cancer when she was a teenager.
According to the Register of Members Interests, she continued working at the Marsden from time to time during 2020, undertaking a number of 12 hour shifts.
She served on Brighton and Hove Council between 2007 and 2011.
Caufield is a Catholic, and is a member of the Conservative Christian Fellowship (CCF). She is in favour of reducing the time limit on abortion.
Caulfield was a supporter of Brexit, and in 2018 resigned as Vice Chair of the Conservative Party in protest at Theresa May’s then Brexit strategy.
According to the Register of Members Interests, she employs her partner, Steve Bell, as Office Manager.
Email: maria.caulfield.mp@parliament.uk
Personal Website: http://www.mariacaulfield.co.uk/contact
Twitter: @mariacaulfield
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/mariacaulfieldlewes
