Robert Seely
MBE MP
Official portrait, 2017
Member of Parliament
for Isle of Wight
Assumed office
8 June 2017[1]
Preceded byAndrew Turner
Majority23,737 (31.9%)
Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
In office
7 January 2019 – 16 July 2019
Prime MinisterTheresa May
Preceded byCraig Tracey
Personal details
Born (1966-06-01) 1 June 1966
Marylebone, London, England[2]
Political partyConservative
RelativesJ. E. B. Seely, 1st Baron Mottistone (great-great-uncle)
Residence(s)Brighstone, Isle of Wight
EducationHarrow School
Alma materKing's College London
Websitewww.bobseely.org.uk
Military service
Allegiance United Kingdom
Branch/serviceBritish Army
RankCaptain

Robert William Henry Seely[3] MBE (born 1 June 1966) is a British Conservative Party politician who has served as the Member of Parliament (MP) for the Isle of Wight since June 2017.[4] He was re-elected at the general election in December 2019 with an increased vote and majority. Seely is a former journalist and soldier. From 1990 to 1995, he worked as a foreign correspondent in the USSR/post-Soviet states. From 2008 to 2017, he served in the British Armed Forces on the Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya and ISIS campaigns.[5]

Early life and career

Seely was born on 1 June 1966 in Marylebone, London. He was educated in North London at Arnold House School and Harrow School, and studied at King's College London.[6]

Military

Seely on active service in Iraq

Seely served as both an NCO and officer in the UK Armed Forces. As a sergeant in the British Army, he was awarded a Joint Commanders Commendation in 2009 for his tour in Iraq. He then served on the Afghanistan, Libya and ISIS campaigns.[7] Seely was later commissioned as an officer.

Seely was awarded the Military MBE in the 2016 Operational Awards and Honours List whilst serving in the Intelligence Corps.[8][9]

Academia

Seely has been a research associate at the Changing Character of War Programme at the University of Oxford.[10]

The Kremlin's hybrid warfare

In June 2018 Seely produced a definition of Russian hybrid war, in a paper entitled "A Definition of Contemporary Russian Conflict: how does the Kremlin Wage War?"[11] The peer reviewed paper was produced by the Henry Jackson Society and presented in an event in the House of Commons on 4 June.[12]

Investigation into Huawei

On 16 May 2019 Seely co-authored, with Peter Varnish and John Hemmings, an investigation into the Chinese tech giant Huawei and its possible role in the development of 5G.[13] The report, published by the Henry Jackson Society, recommended barring Huawei from involvement in the UK's 5G infrastructure network. The report was endorsed by both Sir Richard Dearlove and former Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull.[14]

Surkov leaks report

In July 2019 Seely wrote for the Royal United Service Institute (RUSI) on the Surkov leaks, analysing the leaked emails to provide "a guide to Russian subversive warfare".[15] Seely argued that: "Russia's modern practice of political subversion can be understood as a reinvention of 'active measures', a form of political conflict pioneered by the Soviet Union."[15]

2022 Doctoral thesis on Ways of Contemporary Russian Warfare

Seely's PhD in International Security Studies was awarded by King’s College, London, in April 2022 for a thesis entitled: "Uniting Ways of War for Perpetual Conflict, An Examination of Contemporary Russian Warfare".[16]

Political career

Seely's political career began as a personal assistant to Shaun Woodward, until Woodward's defection to the Labour Party in 1999.[17] Following this he worked at Conservative Central Office as an adviser on foreign affairs to Michael Howard, Francis Maude and Sir Malcolm Rifkind.

Elections

Seely at the 2017 General Election count at his Isle of Wight constituency

In 2005, Seely stood in the Broxtowe constituency but lost to the sitting Labour MP Nick Palmer by 2,296 votes.[18]

In 2013, he was elected for the Central Wight ward on the Isle of Wight Council for the Conservatives, and retained the seat in 2017. After the decision by sitting Conservative MP Andrew Turner to stand down at the 2017 general election, Seely was selected as the candidate for the Isle of Wight seat. During his campaign, he suggested that were he to be elected, he would campaign for improvements to the Island Line rail network.[19] He resigned as a county Councillor in late 2017.[20]

In the 2017 United Kingdom general election which returned Theresa May to office, Seely gained 38,190 votes, which was 51.3% of the vote.

In the 2019 general election which saw Boris Johnson elected Prime Minister, Seely was re-elected with 56.2% of the votes cast.

First term as MP (2017–2019)

In his maiden speech, Seely called for a better deal for the Isle of Wight from government.[21] The "They Work For You" website describes Seely as "an occasional rebel".[22] Seely has voted against Government over the 10pm Covid curfew. He also campaigned for the government to make changes to proposed housing and planning laws, to improve the provision of affordable housing and to prevent greenfield sprawl.[23]

Seely's first vote as a Member of Parliament took place on 28 June 2017, where he voted against removing a pay cap for police and fire services. This was deemed controversial by some following his comments during his election campaign where he praised the emergency services following the fire at Grenfell Tower.[24]

On 12 July 2017 Seely established the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for UK Islands, to promote the interests of islands around the UK. The APPG aimed to encourage MPs and Peers from all political parties to join together to lobby government for their respective islands.[25]

In October 2018 BBC News Online reported that Seely had accepted two free overseas trips abroad costing £4,410, which included a trip to Bahrain paid for by its government.[26][27]

In October 2018 Seely hosted a press conference in parliament, in conjunction with the online investigative journalist website Bellingcat, to announce the identity of the second Skripal assassin suspect.[28][29]

Seely was appointed the position of Parliamentary Private Secretary (PPS) to the Ministerial team at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs in January 2019.[30] On 16 July 2019 Seely resigned from this position following his decision to vote against Government over HS2.[31][32]

Seely voted in favour of the Police Crime Sentencing and Courts Bill at the second debate on 16 March 2021. The Bill was considered controversial in media reports, in part due to the perceived restrictions it would place on protests and protestors. Seely was subsequently criticised on social media.[33]

Select Committees

In February 2018 Seely was elected by his Conservative colleagues to sit on the cross-party Foreign Affairs Select Committee, whose remit is to examine the expenditure, administration and policy of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO).[34]

In July 2018 Seely was elected to the Committees on Arms Export Controls.[35]

Island manifesto

Seely's manifesto, A Vision for the Island, was published a year after he entered parliament, in July 2018.[36] In it, Seely set out how he believed that the Isle of Wight should develop over the coming decades, and covers areas such as housing, transport, health and education.[37]

Second term as MP (2019–present)

Seely continued his membership on the Foreign Affairs Select Committee.

All-Party Parliamentary Group memberships

Seely was listed Chair & Registered Contact of the APPG on Ukraine, which he joined 30 November 2022. As of February 2023, he also was listed on the Anti-Corruption and Responsible Tax, Dark Skies, Events, Hong Kong, Iraq, Latvia, Lithuania, Mexico, Russia, and South Western Railway APPGs.[38]

Coronavirus pandemic

In early May 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Government announced that a contact-tracing app would be trialled on the Isle of Wight, a move for which Seely had lobbied Government.[39][40] Prior to the lockdown, Seely had warned ministers to ensure the emergency supply to the island, and threatened to amend legislation unless the Government acted. Shortly after, the Department of Transport, the Isle of Wight Council and the IOW Transport Infrastructure Board, announced an emergency package to support the island.[41]

Tens of thousands of people downloaded the app in the initial period, some of whom were off-island. Seely believed that after three weeks or so of the app's use on the island, approximately 55,000 islanders had downloaded it out of 80,000 who were able to do so, equating to a rate of about 70 percent.[42]

In a subsequent article on Conservative Home, Seely argued that working with central Government to pilot national schemes was the best way to ensure the Isle of Wight was able to be at the cutting edge of innovative tech to improve its quality of life, especially in healthcare.[40] He cited the use of drones to supply St Mary's Hospital and money for the island's telemedicine project.

On 22 May 2020 Seely and his then girlfriend (Iona Stewart-Richardson, at that time a reporter for Isle of Wight Radio) attended a gathering in the village of Seaview to speak to Freddy Gray, deputy editor of The Spectator. By attending, Seely breached social distancing restrictions. He stated that he had gone to speak to Gray regarding his article about the app. Seely apologised two weeks later, saying that "I called this wrong". In an interview with Isle of Wight Radio, Seely said he "only had half a sausage" whilst in the garden and did not enter the house.[43][44]

On 11 June 2020 The Times quoted Seely in a report that the NHS app may have had a role in suppressing the virus on the Isle of Wight. Seely told his local County Press newspaper that the analysis needed more research to ensure its accuracy. "In blunt terms", he said, "this is the best evidence we may get that the app saved lives of Islanders".[45] On the same day, Seely spoke on a House of Commons debate on zoos, welcoming their reopening following the COVID-19 lockdown, and urging the UK Government to support zoos and animal sanctuaries on the island.[46]

"Breaking the China Supply Chain" report

Seely contributed to an April 2020 study examining the strategic trade dependency on China of the "Five Eyes" group of nations.[47] The report coincided with a letter written by Seely and a group of UK Conservative MPs to request the Government be legally required to update Parliament annually on the UK's strategic trade dependency on China and potentially other nations.[47] The letter – which cited the Henry Jackson Society report – was signed by 21 MPs.[47]

Expenses

Between September – January 2022 Seely received a total of £6,448.15 for foreign trips from The Victor Pinchuk Foundation and Yalta European Strategy.[48]

Conservative Party leadership

On 31 May 2019 Seely wrote an article for CapX stating that he was supporting Michael Gove in his bid to become leader of the Conservative Party.[49]

In June 2022 Seely voted to have confidence in the Conservative Party leadership of Boris Johnson after receiving council funding assurances.[50] In the final round of the July–September 2022 Conservative Party leadership election during August of that year, Seely backed Liz Truss to become leader and Prime Minister, arguing that she was the “candidate best able to deal with” the major issues facing the country, particularly on the economy and foreign affairs.[51]

In the further leadership election in 2022 following the collapse of the Truss administration, Seely backed Penny Mordaunt.[52]

Personal life

Seely was born to an English father and German mother. He comes from a family long involved in politics. His great-great-uncle, Jack Seely (later created 1st Baron Mottistone), was MP for the Isle of Wight between 1900 and 1906 and again between 1923 and 1924.

He is a keen swimmer and has swum the Solent a number of times for charity, most recently in August 2020[53] to raise funds for the West Wight Sports and Community Centre.[54]

In July 2018 Seely took part in the parade for Isle of Wight Pride, where he was joined by Conchita Wurst. In an interview with Pink News following the event, Seely stated that he felt that "for dictators, gays are the new Jews".[55]

Bibliography

  • War and Humanitarian Action in Chechnya (Occasional paper) (Thomas J. Watson Jr. Institute for International Studies, 1996) ASIN B0006QNGGS
  • Russo-Chechen Conflict, 1800–2000: A Deadly Embrace (Soviet Russian Military Experience) (Routledge, 2001) ISBN 0714680605

See also

Honours

Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE)2016
Iraq Medal
OSM for Afghanistan
Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal2012

References

  1. ↑ "Contact information for Bob Seely - MPS and Lords - UK Parliament".
  2. ↑ "Robert William H Seely". FamilySearch. Retrieved 7 November 2019.
  3. ↑ "Declaration of Result of Poll". Isle of Wight Council. Retrieved 9 June 2017.
  4. ↑ Wallace, Mark (5 May 2017). "Seely wins Isle of Wight selection". ConservativeHome. Retrieved 8 June 2016.
  5. ↑ "About Bob Seely". Bob Seely MP. Retrieved 25 April 2022.
  6. ↑ "Seely, Bob". politics.co.uk. Retrieved 26 February 2022.
  7. ↑ "Bob Seely MP - Who is he?". Politics.co.uk. Retrieved 20 September 2022.
  8. ↑ Perry, Sally (19 October 2016). "Bob Seely 'interested in standing' as Isle of Wight MP". OnTheWight.
  9. ↑ "Honours and Awards 2016" (PDF). London Gazette. 21 October 2016.
  10. ↑ "Robert W. H. Seely". robertseely.academia.edu. Archived from the original on 20 September 2018. Retrieved 23 November 2017.
  11. ↑ Seely, Bob (2018). A Definition of Contemporary Russian Conflict: how does the Kremlin Wage War? (PDF). Henry Jackson Society.
  12. ↑ "A Definition of Contemporary Russian Conflict: How Does the Kremlin Wage War?". Henry Jackson Society. Retrieved 14 June 2020.
  13. ↑ "Defending our Data: Huawei, 5G and the Five Eyes". Henry Jackson Society. Retrieved 7 July 2019.
  14. ↑ Sabbagh, Dan; Henley, Jon (16 May 2019). "Huawei poses security threat to UK, says former MI6 chief". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 7 July 2019.
  15. 1 2 Shandra, Alya; Seely, Bob (16 July 2019). "The Surkov Leaks: The Inner Workings of Russia's Hybrid War in Ukraine". www.rusi.org.
  16. ↑ "Dr Kate Utting: Research Students and Staff". King's College London. Retrieved 25 February 2023.
  17. ↑ Wintour, Patrick (19 December 1999). "How Hague lost a rising star". The Guardian. Retrieved 7 October 2018.
  18. ↑ Perry, Sally (7 May 2017). "Isle of Wight Conservative's pick their MP hopeful". Isle of Wight News from OnTheWight.
  19. ↑ Taylor, Haydn (30 May 2017). "Time to look at re-opening Isle of Wight railway routes, says Tory candidate". Isle of Wight County Press. Isle of Wight County Press. Retrieved 12 June 2017.
  20. ↑ "MP Bob Seely to quit Isle of Wight Council role". www.iwcp.co.uk. Retrieved 13 February 2018.
  21. ↑ Bob Seely MP (5 July 2017), Bob Seely MP: Maiden Speech, retrieved 24 February 2019
  22. ↑ "Bob Seely MP, Isle of Wight". TheyWorkForYou. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
  23. ↑ "Theresa May attacks 'ill-conceived' planning reforms". BBC News. 8 October 2020. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
  24. ↑ "Bob Seely MP's first vote in Parliament: No to 'fair pay rise' for firefighters, police, nurses or teachers". Isle of Wight News from OnTheWight. 29 June 2017. Retrieved 8 June 2019.
  25. ↑ "Bob Seely chairs first meeting of parliamentary group on UK Islands". Bob Seely MP. 12 July 2017. Retrieved 24 February 2019.
  26. ↑ "MPs sign up for £2m of free overseas trips". BBC News. 18 October 2018. Retrieved 23 July 2021.
  27. ↑ "House of Commons Register of Financial Interests" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 26 March 2020.
  28. ↑ "Bellingcat: Announcement of the Identity of Second Skripal Suspect". Eventbrite. Retrieved 24 February 2019.
  29. ↑ "Second Skripal attack suspect 'is doctor'". 9 October 2018. Retrieved 24 February 2019.
  30. ↑ ""About the Authors" p2 'Global Britain: A twenty-first century Britain'" (PDF).
  31. ↑ "MP Bob Seely quits government role after refusing to back HS2 plan". Isle of Wight County Press. Retrieved 3 August 2019.
  32. ↑ Seely, Bob (17 July 2019). "Why I resigned my government position to oppose HS2". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 3 August 2019.
  33. ↑ "Isle of Wight MP comes under fire for voting in favour of new Policing Bill that includes limits on public protest". Isle of Wight News from OnTheWight. 17 March 2021. Retrieved 17 March 2021.
  34. ↑ "Bob's Vlog 16: Hampshire and the Foreign Affairs Select Committee". Bob Seely MP. Retrieved 24 February 2019.
  35. ↑ "Mr Bob Seely MP". UK Parliament. Retrieved 24 February 2019.
  36. ↑ "Isle of Wight MP Bob Seely publishes Island Manifesto". Island Echo. 17 July 2018. Retrieved 24 February 2019.
  37. ↑ "My Vision for the Island". Island Manifesto. Retrieved 24 February 2019.
  38. ↑ "Ukraine APPG". Parallel Parliament. 22 February 2023.
  39. ↑ Perry, Sally (14 May 2020). "Contact Tracing App: 73,000 downloads so far, with 'significant number' by Islanders". On the Wight. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
  40. 1 2 "Bob Seely: What the Isle of Wight has learned from trialling the NHS's Coronavirus App". Conservative Home. 20 May 2020. Retrieved 14 June 2020.
  41. ↑ "Emergency fund of up to £10.5 million to support lifeline transport links to the Isle of Wight and the Isles of Scilly". GOV.UK. 24 April 2020. Retrieved 14 June 2020.
  42. ↑ "Clarification on the number of Covid-19 app downloads". Bob Seely MP. 18 May 2020. Retrieved 14 June 2020.
  43. ↑ Murphy, Simon; Walker, Peter (5 June 2020). "Tory MP attended lockdown barbecue with journalists". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 14 June 2020.
  44. ↑ ""I Had Half A Sausage" - Isle Of Wight MP Admits Attending Seaview Soirée". Isle of Wight Radio. Retrieved 23 July 2021.
  45. ↑ "Test and trace app: 'Some evidence of success' of Isle of Wight trial". Isle of Wight County Press. 11 June 2020. Retrieved 14 June 2020.
  46. ↑ Seely, Bob (11 June 2020). "11.06.20 Adjournment debate on the reopening of zoos, aquariums and wildlife sanctuaries". YouTube.
  47. 1 2 3 Fisher, Lucy (14 May 2020). "UK is too dependent on China for critical goods, Tories warn". The Times. ISSN 0140-0460. Retrieved 14 June 2020.
  48. ↑ "List of MPs financial interests". Parliament.uk. 24 February 2023. Retrieved 24 February 2023.
  49. ↑ "Why I'm backing Michael Gove". CapX. 31 May 2019. Retrieved 8 June 2019.
  50. ↑ "Bob Seely: Tory MP says he backed PM after council funding assurances". BBC News. 7 June 2022. Retrieved 8 June 2022.
  51. ↑ "Bob Seely declares who he will support in the final two Conservative leadership race". www.onthewight.co.Uk. 1 August 2022. Retrieved 13 October 2022.
  52. ↑ Grierson, Jamie (21 October 2022). "Johnson, Mordaunt or Sunak: who is backing whom as next Tory leader". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 22 October 2022. Retrieved 21 October 2022.
  53. ↑ "BOB SEELY SUPPORTS SOLENT SWIM FOR WEST WIGHT SPORTS CENTRE". Bob Seely MP. Retrieved 29 September 2022.
  54. ↑ "Bob Seely MP joins Solent Swimmers – West Wight Sports and Community Centre". West Wight Sports and Community Centre. 17 June 2018. Archived from the original on 10 September 2018. Retrieved 9 September 2018.
  55. ↑ "Tory MP: For dictators, gays are the new Jews". www.pinknews.co.uk. 24 July 2018. Retrieved 9 June 2019.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.