David Lidington

Date of birth

30 June 1956

Political profile

David Lidington entered the Commons in 1992, but was already well known in Conservative circles, having served as a special adviser to Douglas Hurd.

He did not make a big impact in the Commons chamber, but quietly began to climb through the Conservative ranks.

He became parliamentary private secretary to Michael Howard and in opposition was PPS to William Hague before becoming a junior home affairs spokesman.

He supported Michael Portillo's campaign for the leadership and backed calls for substantial party reform.

He joined the shadow treasury team under Iain Duncan Smith and in May 2002 was promoted to the shadow cabinet as agriculture spokesman following the dismissal of Ann Winterton.

Further promotion came in 2002 - when Peter Ainsworth stepped down from the front bench Mr Lidington took over as shadow environment, food and rural affairs secretary.

In November 2003, he was appointed shadow secretary of state for Northern Ireland.

Contact

lidingtond@parliament.uk

Constituency office 01296 482102