Biography

Having worked in the City before becoming an MP, Theresa has experience of life outside Westminster. Having started her career at the Bank of England, she went on to hold posts at the Association for Payment Clearing Services (APACS) as Head of the European Affairs Unit from 1989-1996, and Senior Adviser on International Affairs between 1996-97.

Theresa has been involved in politics at all levels for many years, starting out stuffing envelopes at her local Conservative Association before going on to be a councillor in the London Borough of Merton from 1986 to 1994. During that time Theresa was Chairman of Education between 1988 and 1990 and Deputy Group Leader and Housing Spokesman between 1992 and 1994.

Theresa was elected Member of Parliament for Maidenhead in May 1997. She lives in the constituency and is an active local campaigner. Her recent local activity has included campaigns to improve the local train service, bring a minor injuries unit to St Marks Hospital in Maidenhead, get a new bridge built across the River Thames (ongoing!), save the resident lock keepers and stop over-development locally.

Theresa had a varied education spanning both the state and private sectors, and both grammar school and comprehensive school. She read Geography at St Hugh’s College, Oxford University.

Theresa has held several positions within Parliament since 1997. She has been a member of the Shadow Cabinet since 1999, including as Shadow Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1999-2001), Shadow Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions (2001-02), Shadow Secretary of State for the Family (2004-05, including Culture, Media and Sport in 2005), and Shadow Leader of the House of Commons (2005-09).

From 2002 to 2003 she was the first woman Chairman of the Conservative Party.

She is currently the Shadow Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (since 2009) and the Shadow Minister for Women (since 2007).