Miriam Davies was born on 2 June 1975. She was educated at the fee-paying Royal Russell School in Croydon, and the state-sector Collyers Sixth Form College in Horsham, West Sussex. She then studied Politics and International Relations at Swansea University,[6] being the first in her family to enter higher education.[7]
After graduation, she worked primarily as a local radio presenter, reporter and producer.[6] She later worked as a road safety communications officer with the Automobile Association, the police force, and Sussex Safer Roads Partnership.[7]
Davies served as a Conservative Party town councillor for Haywards Heath Town Council and as a District councillor on Mid Sussex District Council for the Haywards Heath Lucastes ward from 2011 to 2015. Her political involvement began when she was co-opted onto Hurstpierpoint and Sayers Common Parish Council.
Parliamentary career
At the 2015 general election, Davies was elected to Parliament as MP for Eastleigh with 42.3% of the vote and a majority of 9,147.[8]
Davies was re-elected as MP for Eastleigh at the snap 2017 general election with an increased vote share of 50.4% and an increased majority of 14,179.[10]
In the House of Commons she sat on the Commons Reference Group on Representation and Inclusion and previously sat on the Consolidation Bills (Joint Committee) and Women and Equalities Committee.[12] On 23 October 2018, Davies resigned from a committee chaired by Commons Speaker John Bercow, citing lack of confidence in Bercow's ability to tackle bullying and sexual harassment problems in Parliament.[13][14][15][16]
In February 2019, in her role as Sports Minister, she called for an urgent summit with football leaders in order to address issues relating to abuse in the sport.[17] She suggested there should be a zero tolerance approach to problems concerning racist, homophobic and antisemitic chanting.[18]
In May 2019, she attended the "End the cage age" event campaigning against caged birds. This event was organised by Compassion in World Farming. Davies stated that she was against caged laying hens.[19]
Davies announced on 30 October 2019 that she would be standing down as MP for Eastleigh in order to spend more time with her children; she later announced she was to be on the shortlist for Mid Sussex.[20][21] On 9 November, she was selected to stand for the seat. At the 2019 general election, she was elected as MP for Mid Sussex with 53.3% of the vote and a majority of 18,197.[4]
On 6 July 2022 she resigned from her position as Parliamentary Under-Secretary at the Department for Work and Pensions, having lost confidence in Boris Johnson as a result of the Chris Pincher scandal.[5]
On 5 November 2024, Davies was appointed as Shadow Secretary of State for Wales in Kemi Badenoch's shadow cabinet.[25]
Personal life
She was a carer to her two elderly parents before becoming an MP, which she has said "informed a significant portion of her parliamentary work".[26] She is a keen runner and has completed several long-distance races, including the 2017 London Marathon.[27]
Notes
^As Shadow Minister for Women and Equalities from 8 July 2024 to 5 November 2024
^As Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State from 14 December 2023 to 12 April 2024
^Adams succeeded Davies as Minister of State for Sport, Media and Creative Industries and The Baroness Barran succeeded Davies as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Civil Society and Loneliness.
