The Westminster lensMP · Conservative and Unionist Party · Sitting since 7 May 2015

James Cartlidge.

Conservative and Unionist Party MP for South Suffolk.

Commons votes
383/526
73% attendance · top 50% of MPs
Party alignment
36%
on whipped divisions
Speeches
248
across 105 debates · 63,152 words
Written Qs
3,171
3,163 answered · 8 pending
Dispatch
3 Jun 2026

Conservative and Unionist Party MP in Green Party of England and Wales-controlled territory.

James Cartlidge is the Conservative MP for South Suffolk, and has been an MP continually since 7 May 2015. He currently undertakes the role of Shadow Secretary of State for Defence.

§ 01Voting record.383 divisions · most recent 23 Mar 2026

By issue — what do they vote on most?

Top eight by total divisions voted, this parliament. Volume measures engagement, not direction — see Notable Votes for free-vote moments and rebellions.

Taxation90
Economy74
Employment49
Crime & Policing39
Education28
Constitution and Democracy25
Housing21
Welfare and Benefits21

Source · The Public Whip · Hansard

Notable votes — free votes & rebellions.

Moments where the whip was free, or where Cartlidge broke ranks. Free votes are the truer signal of personal stance.

DateBill / motionVoteWhip
20 Jun 2025Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill: Third ReadingYes
Freevs party
16 May 2025Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill Report Stage: Amendment (a) to New Clause 10No
Freevs party
16 May 2025Closure motionYes
Freevs party
§ 02Speeches.248 contributions · 105 debates · 63,152 words

Words spoken, by topic.

Defence62,667
Economy & Jobs36,687
Technology10,566
Fiscal Policy8,659
Social Care5,795
Immigration5,208
Culture Community5,186
Con avg / MP All-MP avgper topic, words per MP

Source · Hansard

Recent contributions.

1 Jun

Topical Questions

Treasury has not signed off defence investment plan; Labour must cut welfare to fund defence credibly, as Lord Robertson and Tony Blair have warned.

165 words·Read
20 May

Defence Readiness

The Government must urgently publish the Defence Readiness Bill and Defence Investment Plan, commit to 3% GDP defence spending, and scrap the Northern Ireland Troubles Bill to prot

2,631 words·Read
24 Mar

Defence

Defence Investment Plan delay is creating procurement freeze and defence industry collapse; UK must spend 3% GDP on defence this Parliament, funded by two-child cap and redirecting

2,542 words·Read
23 Mar

Middle East

Welcomes air defence capabilities but criticises government double standards on US base access, questions delays in confirming Diego Garcia attack, demands accelerated procurement

930 words·Read
Showing 4 of 248·All 248 speeches
§ 03Committees & roles.Select & joint committees
None recorded

Cartlidge holds no select-committee seat this session. New 2024-intake MPs typically wait one term before being appointed.

§ 04Written questions.3,171 tabled · 3,163 answered · 4 Oct 2024 → 20 May 2026

Top departments asked.

DepartmentQsShare
Ministry of Defence2,78187.7%
Treasury902.8%
Department of Health and Social Care561.8%
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs541.7%
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government300.9%
Cabinet Office250.8%
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology210.7%
Department for Culture, Media and Sport190.6%

Most recent.

20 May 2026·Department for Energy Security and Net Zero·Pending

What discussions he has had with fuel suppliers regarding the availability of kerosene for domestic heating oil users in South Suffolk.

Awaiting answer.

20 May 2026·Department for Energy Security and Net Zero·Pending

Whether his Department has conducted contingency planning relating to potential disruption of kerosene supplies used for domestic heating in South Suffolk constituency.

Awaiting answer.

20 May 2026·Department for Energy Security and Net Zero·Pending

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of changes in the level of aviation fuel demand on the availability and pricing of kerosene for domestic heating consumers in South Suffolk constituency.

Awaiting answer.

20 May 2026·Department for Energy Security and Net Zero·Pending

What progress he has made on introducing new consumer protections for heating oil customers.

Awaiting answer.

Showing 4 of 3171·All 3,171 written questions
§ 05Register & expenses.4 declared interests · £281k claimed FY 24_25

Register of interests.

Dr Sarah Ingham
£10,000 to provide a member of staff.
Dr Sarah Ingham
Sponsorship of a fundraising dinner, value £2,005.90
James Uffindell
£5,000 donation towards the provision of a member of staff
Dr Sarah Ingham
£5,000

Source · Members API · Last amended 19 May 2026

IPSA expenses.

Category£Share
Staffing223,96879.6%
Accommodation36,59913.0%
Office Costs14,8895.3%
Staff Travel3,1551.1%
MP Travel2,6180.9%
Total · 143 claims281,257100%
Showing 6 of 143·All 143 IPSA claims

Source · IPSA · FY 24_25

§ 06This week in Westminster.Order paper · refreshed daily

Nothing tabled for Cartlidge on the published Order Paper this week.

§ 07Electoral history.4 contests · 2015, 2024
YearConstituencyVotesShareResult
2024South Suffolk16,08233.0%Won
2019South Suffolk33,27062.2%Won
2017South Suffolk32,82960.5%Won
2015South Suffolk27,54653.1%Won

2024 — full result, South Suffolk.

CandidateVotes%
James CartlidgeWONCon16,08233.0

Showing the MP’s own row only. Full result table: see South Suffolk

Sources, methods & last update
Method The dispatch paragraphs are AI-generated from the public sources listed below. Every figure links to its source. If we’re wrong, please tell us — corrections within 48 hours.
DivisionsHansard
The Public Whip
Updated 3 Jun 2026
SpeechesHansard · 63,152 words
17 Jul 2024 → 1 Jun 2026
Written QsMembers API
3,171 tabled · 3,163 answered
CommitteesCommittees API
None recorded
RegisterMembers API
4 entries
ExpensesIPSA
£281,257 · FY 24_25
Order paperUK Parliament
Refreshed daily
ElectionsElectoral Commission
DCLEAPIL