John Penrose was first elected to parliament for Weston-super-Mare in 2005. His campaigns to make Britain’s economy work for the many, not the few, include the Energy Price Cap; making housing cheaper to own or rent by allowing urban owners and developers to Build Up Not Out, and to Make Builders Build; making Britain’s economy more generationally-just and socially-just by creating a UK Sovereign Wealth Fund and a legally-binding Fiscal Rule; and reforming formerly-nationalised utilities (eg energy, telecoms, water, rail) to put customers in charge, rather than politicians, bureaucrats or regulators instead.
The son of 2 teachers and a former Governor of Weston College, John was a successful businessman before he entered politics. He has held a variety of posts since he was elected including PPS to Oliver Letwin, Shadow Business Minister, Tourism & Heritage Minister, Government Whip (a move described by The Telegraph as a ‘deserved return’ for a ‘stand-out talent’) Constitution Minister, Northern Ireland Minister and Anti-Corruption Champion.
John has been instrumental in getting Government support and cash for critical projects like the Banwell Bypass, saving Birnbeck Pier, more police in Weston, 13,000 more GP appointments each month compared to a year ago, and helping local employers and jobseekers through his annual Weston Jobs Fair.
But John doesn’t believe in sitting back. He’s got a plan of things local people have said they want him to deliver for Weston if he’s re-elected for the next five years.
John aims to:
- Cut down traffic caused by the J21 upgrades and the Banwell Bypass work.
- Regenerate Weston by investing more in homes.
- Bring in more community police to help keep the town safe.
- Create more appointments and shorter wait lists for treatment.
- Create a high-skilled workforce to attract employers to invest in the town.
- Deliver net zero affordability for everyone. John leads the Commission for Carbon Competitiveness.
John said: "I’m thrilled and honoured that local residents have put their faith and trust in me to stick up for Weston in Parliament.
"We’ve come a long way in the last few years, with lots of new investment and jobs arriving in our town, but there’s still loads more to do.
"We can’t stop now. As the town’s motto says: ‘Ever Forward’!"
