Andrea Leadsom

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Andrea Leadsom, Minister of state for the Department of Energy and Climate Change, with John Blaymires Chief Operating Officer at IGas

Andrea Leadsom is the UK Conservative Party MP for South Northamptonshire,

She was appointed as the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs by incoming Prime Minister Theresa May on 14 July 2016.

Leadsom entered government as economic secretary to the HM Treasury in April 2014, as part of a reshuffle prompted by the resignation of Maria Miller from the cabinet.

Previously, Leadsom was appointed minister of state at the Department for Energy and Climate Change, following the 2015 general election.

Background

Before entering politics Leadsom worked in the banking and finance industry for 25 years. Her most recent role was head of corporate governance and senior investment officer at Invesco Perpetual.

From 1997-99 Leadsom was managing director of De Putron Fund Management. She then became a senior investment officer at Invesco Perpetual from 1999 until 2009.

Advocacy for fracking

Leadsom has consistently expressed support for fracking. In an article in the Yorkshire Post in May 2016, Leadsom wrote:

'We need a system fit for the 21st century, replacing coal with gas, nuclear, and renewables, and fracking is a key part of those plans. A shale gas industry will not only boost our economy and create thousands of jobs across the supply chain – it will help to guarantee a secure energy supply which is an absolute must for this government [...] I really believe that this is an opportunity we can’t afford to miss.'

In an interview with PoliticsHome, she said:

'There’s the ridiculous argument that somehow we don’t need gas, we can just do it with windfarms and solar. Of course that’s absolutely implausible. [...] Don’t be brow beaten by very scaremongering accusations into failing to take a decision or making a negative decision.'

She was also a key note speaker in support of fracking at both a meeting of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Unconventional Oil and Gas in October 2015 and at a meeting of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Shale Gas Regulation and Planning in April 2016 .

Delayed fracking impact report

In November 2016, leaked em-mails revealed Leadsom colluded with other minsters to delay the release a report which was critical of fracking until after Cuadrilla's application to frack in Lancashire was settled. A heavily redacted version of the report was originally released in 2014, which the government said was not'robust' enough to influence policy. The full report is critical of fracking and suggests the industry would negatively affect the tourism, congestion, housing and noise pollution of rural economies.

Voting record

Leadsom has generally voted against increased regulation on fracking.

• 26 January 2015: voted against making fracking companies apply for an environmental permit before conducting exploratory drilling. She voted against an amendment to the Infrastructure Bill to include an 18 month moratorium on fracking.
• 11 February 2015: voted in favour of requiring more pre-conditions for where fracking can take place.
• 16 December 2015: voted in favour of weakening regulations on fracking in protected areas and national parks.

Controversy

Using data gathered by the Washington-based organisation the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists, a July 2014 report by The Guardian found that Peter de Putron - brother-in-law of Andrea Leadsom and founder of De Putron Fund Management - had donated £816,000 to the Conservative Party since 2010, and £680,000 to the Open Europe think tank since its foundation in 2005. The donations to both the Conservatives and to Open Europe were channelled through the company Gloucester Research (now called G-Research), at which Andrea’s husband, Ben Leadsom, is a director.

The Fresh Start Project and the All-Party Parliamentary Group for European Reform

The Fresh Start Project is a parliamentary grouping of Conservative MPs concerned by EU issues, and the All-Party Parliamentary Group for European Reform. It was co-founded in October 2011 by Leadsom and George Eustice MP, ex-CEO of Business for Sterling. According to the minutes of their meetings, the group bases their discussions on the right wing think tank Open Europe's reports.

The APPG for European Reform was founded at a similar time to the Fresh Start Project, holding its inaugural meeting on 10 November 2011. At this meeting, Leadsom was elected co-chair of the group, and Eustice an officer. Open Europe was instituted as secretariat to the group, giving them very close proximity to MPs.

Leadsom’s connections to Open Europe however predate her involvement in the founding of the APPG and the Fresh Start Project.

Education

After attending Tonbridge Girls Grammar School in Kent, Leadsom read political science at Warwick University.

Select committees

• Public Accounts Committee, May 2014 - Mar 2015
• Treasury Committee, Jul 2010 - May 2014

Affiliations

This article is part of the Spinwatch Fracking Portal and project

• Open Europe think tank
• All Party Parliamentary Group on Unconventional Oil and Gas, member