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{{Short description|British politician (born 1973)}}
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'''Penelope Mary Mordaunt''' ({{IPAc-en|'|m|ɔːr|d|ə|n|t}}; born 4 March 1973) is a British [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative]] politician who served as [[Lord President of the Council]] and [[Leader of the House of Commons]] from 2022 until 2024. She was the [[Member of Parliament (United Kingdom)|Member of Parliament]] (MP) for [[Portsmouth North]] from [[2010 United Kingdom general election|2010]] to [[2024 United Kingdom general election|2024]]. She has run twice for the [[Leader of the Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative party leadership]] in [[July–September 2022 Conservative Party leadership election|July–September]] and [[October 2022 Conservative Party leadership election|October 2022]], losing to [[Liz Truss]] and [[Rishi Sunak]] respectively. In the [[2024 United Kingdom general election|2024 general election]], Mordaunt lost her Portsmouth North seat to Labour's [[Amanda Martin]].
'''Penelope Mary '''"'''Penny'''"''' Mordaunt''' ({{IPAc-en|'|m|ɔːr|d|ə|n|t}}; born 4 March 1973) is a former British [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative]] politician who served as [[Lord President of the Council]] and [[Leader of the House of Commons]] from 2022 until 2024. She was the [[Member of Parliament (United Kingdom)|Member of Parliament]] (MP) for [[Portsmouth North]] from [[2010 United Kingdom general election|2010]] to [[2024 United Kingdom general election|2024]]. She ran twice for the [[Leader of the Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative party leadership]] in [[July–September 2022 Conservative Party leadership election|July–September]] and [[October 2022 Conservative Party leadership election|October 2022]], losing to [[Liz Truss]] and [[Rishi Sunak]] respectively. In the [[2024 United Kingdom general election|2024 general election]], Mordaunt lost her Portsmouth North seat to Labour's [[Amanda Martin]].


Mordaunt read philosophy at the [[University of Reading]], before working in the public relations industry. She held roles under [[Leader of the Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative Party leaders]] [[John Major]] and [[William Hague]], and also worked for [[George W. Bush]]'s presidential campaigns in 2000 and 2004. Mordaunt was elected to the [[British House of Commons|House of Commons]] at the 2010 general election. Under the [[Cameron-Clegg coalition|coalition government]] of [[David Cameron]], she served as [[Department for Communities and Local Government|Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Decentralisation]] from 2014 to 2015. After the [[2015 United Kingdom general election|2015 general election]], Cameron promoted her to [[Minister of State for the Armed Forces]], the first woman to hold the post. Mordaunt supported [[Brexit]] in the [[2016 United Kingdom European Union membership referendum|2016 referendum on EU membership]]. Following [[Theresa May]]'s appointment as Prime Minister, Mordaunt was appointed [[Minister of State for Disabled People, Work and Health]]. In 2017, following the resignation of [[Priti Patel]], she was appointed [[Secretary of State for International Development]]. She also served as [[Minister for Women and Equalities]] from 2018 to 2019.
Mordaunt read philosophy at the [[University of Reading]], before working in the public relations industry. She held roles under [[Leader of the Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative Party leaders]] [[John Major]] and [[William Hague]], and also worked for [[George W. Bush]]'s presidential campaigns in 2000 and 2004. Mordaunt was elected to the [[British House of Commons|House of Commons]] at the 2010 general election. Under the [[Cameron-Clegg coalition|coalition government]] of [[David Cameron]], she served as [[Department for Communities and Local Government|Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Decentralisation]] from 2014 to 2015. After the [[2015 United Kingdom general election|2015 general election]], Cameron promoted her to [[Minister of State for the Armed Forces]], the first woman to hold the post. Mordaunt supported [[Brexit]] in the [[2016 United Kingdom European Union membership referendum|2016 referendum on EU membership]]. Following [[Theresa May]]'s appointment as prime minister, Mordaunt was appointed [[Minister of State for Disabled People, Work and Health]]. In 2017, following the resignation of [[Priti Patel]], she was appointed [[Secretary of State for International Development]]. She also served as [[Minister for Women and Equalities]] from 2018 to 2019.


In May 2019, Mordaunt was appointed to the Cabinet position of [[Secretary of State for Defence]], replacing [[Gavin Williamson]], becoming the first woman to hold the post. She served as Defence Secretary for 85 days before returning to the [[backbenches]], having been removed from office by the new Prime Minister [[Boris Johnson]]. In the [[2020 British cabinet reshuffle|February 2020 reshuffle]], she re-entered government as [[Paymaster General]]. In the [[2021 British cabinet reshuffle|2021 reshuffle]], she was appointed Minister of State for Trade Policy.
In May 2019, Mordaunt was appointed to the Cabinet position of [[Secretary of State for Defence]], replacing [[Gavin Williamson]], becoming the first woman to hold the post. She served as Defence Secretary for 85 days before returning to the [[backbenches]], having been removed from office by the new prime minister [[Boris Johnson]]. In the [[2020 British cabinet reshuffle|February 2020 reshuffle]], she re-entered government as [[Paymaster General]]. In the [[2021 British cabinet reshuffle|2021 reshuffle]], she was appointed Minister of State for Trade Policy.


Following Johnson's announcement in July 2022 that he would resign as Leader of the Conservative Party and Prime Minister, Mordaunt entered the leadership contest to succeed him, but was eliminated in the final round of voting among Conservative MPs and subsequently endorsed Truss. Mordaunt was appointed as [[Leader of the House of Commons]] and [[Lord President of the Council]] when Truss became Prime Minister. Following Truss's resignation on 20 October 2022, Mordaunt made a second bid to become Conservative leader and Prime Minister. She pulled out of the election after being unable to gain the necessary endorsement of 100 MPs, allowing Sunak to become Conservative Leader and Prime Minister unopposed. Sunak later retained Mordaunt in his cabinet, continuing as Leader of the House of Commons and Lord President, giving her a notable role at the [[coronation of Charles III and Camilla]]. In the 2024 general election, Mordaunt was one of many high-profile Conservative politicians who lost their seats in Labour’s landslide victory, alongside Liz Truss, [[Grant Shapps]], [[Jacob Rees-Mogg|Jacob-Rees Mogg]] and [[Johnny Mercer (politician)|Johnny Mercer]].<ref name=":4" />
Following Johnson's announcement in July 2022 that he would resign as Leader of the Conservative Party and prime minister, Mordaunt entered the leadership contest to succeed him, but was eliminated in the final round of voting among Conservative MPs and subsequently endorsed Truss. Mordaunt was appointed as [[Leader of the House of Commons]] and [[Lord President of the Council]] when Truss became prime minister. Following Truss's resignation on 20 October 2022, Mordaunt made a second bid to become Conservative leader and prime minister. She pulled out of the election after being unable to gain the necessary endorsement of 100 MPs, allowing Sunak to become Conservative Leader and prime minister unopposed. Sunak later retained Mordaunt in his cabinet, continuing as Leader of the House of Commons and Lord President, giving her a notable role at the [[coronation of Charles III and Camilla]]. In the 2024 general election, Mordaunt was one of many high-profile Conservative members of parliament who lost their seats in Labour’s landslide victory, alongside [[Liz Truss]], [[Grant Shapps]], [[Jacob Rees-Mogg]] and [[Johnny Mercer (politician)|Johnny Mercer]].<ref name=":4" />


==Early life and education==
==Early life and education==
Penelope Mordaunt was born on 4 March 1973<ref>{{London Gazette |issue=59418 |date=13 May 2010 |page=8744}}</ref><ref>{{cite AV media |last=Mordaunt |first=Penny |date=2009 |title=Penny welcome video blog |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_bdZm62HYH0 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211218/_bdZm62HYH0 |archive-date=18 December 2021 |url-status=live|access-date=21 December 2018 |time=0:05 |publisher=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{cite web |title=Mordaunt, Rt Hon. Penelope Mary, (Rt Hon. Penny), (born 4 March 1973), PC 2017; MP (C) Portsmouth North, since 2010; Minister of State, Department for International Trade, since 2021 |url=https://www.ukwhoswho.com/view/10.1093/ww/9780199540884.001.0001/ww-9780199540884-e-251190 |access-date=14 July 2022 |website=WHO'S WHO & WHO WAS WHO |language=en |doi=10.1093/ww/9780199540884.013.u251190 |isbn=978-0-19-954088-4 |archive-date=14 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210814150411/https://www.ukwhoswho.com/view/10.1093/ww/9780199540884.001.0001/ww-9780199540884-e-251190 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Henderson |first=Guy |date=15 July 2022 |title=Tory leadership candidate Penny Mordaunt under fire as battle turns nasty |url=https://www.devonlive.com/news/local-news/tory-leadership-candidate-penny-mordaunt-7336674 |access-date=19 July 2022 |website=DevonLive |language=en |archive-date=19 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220719010755/https://www.devonlive.com/news/local-news/tory-leadership-candidate-penny-mordaunt-7336674 |url-status=live }}</ref> in [[Torquay]], [[Devon]].<ref>[https://search.ancestry.co.uk/cgi-bin/sse.dll?indiv=1&dbid=8782&h=49574008&tid=&pid=&queryId=430d186c0d4acb8f547c64f003c3fe3b&usePUB=true&_phsrc=Sfe1&_phstart=successSource "Penelope Mary Mordaunt"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220720171103/https://www.ancestry.co.uk/cs/offers/join?sub=11540774699171840&dbid=8782&url=https%3a%2f%2fsearch.ancestry.co.uk%2fcgi-bin%2fsse.dll%3findiv%3d1%26dbid%3d8782%26h%3d49574008%26queryId%3d430d186c0d4acb8f547c64f003c3fe3b%26usePUB%3dtrue%26_phsrc%3dSfe1%26_phstart%3dsuccessSource%26requr%3d11540774699171840%26ur%3d0&gsfn=&gsln=&h=49574008 |date=20 July 2022 }} in ''England & Wales, Civil Registration Birth Index, 1916-2007'', ancestry.co.uk, accessed 20 July 2022 {{subscription required}}</ref> The daughter of a former [[Parachute Regiment (United Kingdom)|paratrooper]], she says that she was named after {{HMS|Penelope|97|6}}.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/2010-06-21/debates/1006219000001/StrategicDefenceAndSecurityReview#contribution-10062128000001 |title=Strategic Defence and Security Review |date=21 June 2010 |work=Hansard – UK Parliament |access-date=3 May 2019 |archive-date=12 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210612121545/https://hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/2010-06-21/debates/1006219000001/StrategicDefenceAndSecurityReview#contribution-10062128000001 |url-status=live }}</ref> Her father, John Mordaunt, born at [[Hilsea Barracks]], served in the [[Parachute Regiment (United Kingdom)|Parachute Regiment]] before retraining as a teacher, and later became a youth worker for [[Hampshire County Council]].<ref name="ageuk">{{cite web |title=Meet Your Portsmouth North MP |url=https://www.ageuk.org.uk/portsmouth/about-us/news/articles/2017/meet-your-portsmouth-north-mp/ |website=[[Age UK]] |access-date=13 July 2022 |archive-date=16 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220716212206/https://www.ageuk.org.uk/portsmouth/about-us/news/articles/2017/meet-your-portsmouth-north-mp/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Her mother, Jennifer (''née'' Snowden), was a special needs teacher at schools in [[Purbrook]].<ref name="ageuk"/> Through her mother she is a relative of [[Philip Snowden]], the first [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour]] [[Chancellor of the Exchequer]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/penny-mordaunt-get-fresh-and-the-mermaid-of-westminster-will-break-your-arm-dh5jscgxflc |title=Penny Mordaunt: Get fresh and the mermaid of Westminster will break your arm |first=Rosie |last=Kinchen |date=12 January 2014 |work=The Sunday Times |url-access=subscription |access-date=2 May 2019 |archive-date=2 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190502212459/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/penny-mordaunt-get-fresh-and-the-mermaid-of-westminster-will-break-your-arm-dh5jscgxflc |url-status=live }}</ref> The actress [[Dame Angela Lansbury]] was her grandmother's cousin,<ref name=penportraits/><ref>{{cite news |last=Bell |first=Matthew |title=''The Feral Beast:'' Cecilia pins her hopes on the Pope |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/diary/the-feral-beast-cecilia-pins-her-hopes-on-the-pope-8547065.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220525/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/diary/the-feral-beast-cecilia-pins-her-hopes-on-the-pope-8547065.html |archive-date=25 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |work=[[The Independent]] |date=18 March 2004 |access-date=16 May 2009}}</ref> thus she is distantly related to former [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour Party]] leader [[George Lansbury]].<ref>[https://conservativehome.com/2016/03/17/profile-penny-mordaunt-a-risque-but-not-revolting-contender-for-the-tory-leadership/ Profile: Penny Mordaunt, a risqué but not revolting potential Tory leadership contender] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220713135347/https://conservativehome.com/2016/03/17/profile-penny-mordaunt-a-risque-but-not-revolting-contender-for-the-tory-leadership/ |date=13 July 2022 }} ''[[Conservative Home]]'', 17 March 2016. Retrieved 13 July 2022.</ref>
Penelope Mordaunt was born on 4 March 1973<ref>{{London Gazette |issue=59418 |date=13 May 2010 |page=8744}}</ref><ref>{{cite AV media |last=Mordaunt |first=Penny |date=2009 |title=Penny welcome video blog |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_bdZm62HYH0 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211218/_bdZm62HYH0 |archive-date=18 December 2021 |url-status=live|access-date=21 December 2018 |time=0:05 |publisher=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{cite web |title=Mordaunt, Rt Hon. Penelope Mary, (Rt Hon. Penny), (born 4 March 1973), PC 2017; MP (C) Portsmouth North, since 2010; Minister of State, Department for International Trade, since 2021 |url=https://www.ukwhoswho.com/view/10.1093/ww/9780199540884.001.0001/ww-9780199540884-e-251190 |access-date=14 July 2022 |website=WHO'S WHO & WHO WAS WHO |language=en |doi=10.1093/ww/9780199540884.013.u251190 |isbn=978-0-19-954088-4 |archive-date=14 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210814150411/https://www.ukwhoswho.com/view/10.1093/ww/9780199540884.001.0001/ww-9780199540884-e-251190 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Henderson |first=Guy |date=15 July 2022 |title=Tory leadership candidate Penny Mordaunt under fire as battle turns nasty |url=https://www.devonlive.com/news/local-news/tory-leadership-candidate-penny-mordaunt-7336674 |access-date=19 July 2022 |website=DevonLive |language=en |archive-date=19 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220719010755/https://www.devonlive.com/news/local-news/tory-leadership-candidate-penny-mordaunt-7336674 |url-status=live }}</ref> in [[Torquay]], [[Devon]].<ref>[https://search.ancestry.co.uk/cgi-bin/sse.dll?indiv=1&dbid=8782&h=49574008&tid=&pid=&queryId=430d186c0d4acb8f547c64f003c3fe3b&usePUB=true&_phsrc=Sfe1&_phstart=successSource "Penelope Mary Mordaunt"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220720171103/https://www.ancestry.co.uk/cs/offers/join?sub=11540774699171840&dbid=8782&url=https%3a%2f%2fsearch.ancestry.co.uk%2fcgi-bin%2fsse.dll%3findiv%3d1%26dbid%3d8782%26h%3d49574008%26queryId%3d430d186c0d4acb8f547c64f003c3fe3b%26usePUB%3dtrue%26_phsrc%3dSfe1%26_phstart%3dsuccessSource%26requr%3d11540774699171840%26ur%3d0&gsfn=&gsln=&h=49574008 |date=20 July 2022 }} in ''England & Wales, Civil Registration Birth Index, 1916-2007'', ancestry.co.uk, accessed 20 July 2022 {{subscription required}}</ref> The daughter of a former [[Parachute Regiment (United Kingdom)|paratrooper]], she says that she was named after {{HMS|Penelope|97|6}}.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/2010-06-21/debates/1006219000001/StrategicDefenceAndSecurityReview#contribution-10062128000001 |title=Strategic Defence and Security Review |date=21 June 2010 |work=Hansard – UK Parliament |access-date=3 May 2019 |archive-date=12 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210612121545/https://hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/2010-06-21/debates/1006219000001/StrategicDefenceAndSecurityReview#contribution-10062128000001 |url-status=live }}</ref> Her father, John Mordaunt, born at [[Hilsea Barracks]], served in the [[Parachute Regiment (United Kingdom)|Parachute Regiment]] before retraining as a teacher, and later became a youth worker for [[Hampshire County Council]].<ref name="ageuk">{{cite web |title=Meet Your Portsmouth North MP |url=https://www.ageuk.org.uk/portsmouth/about-us/news/articles/2017/meet-your-portsmouth-north-mp/ |website=[[Age UK]] |access-date=13 July 2022 |archive-date=16 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220716212206/https://www.ageuk.org.uk/portsmouth/about-us/news/articles/2017/meet-your-portsmouth-north-mp/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Her mother, Jennifer (''née'' Snowden), was a special needs teacher at schools in [[Purbrook]].<ref name="ageuk"/> Through her mother she is a relative of [[Philip Snowden]], the first [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour]] [[Chancellor of the Exchequer]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/penny-mordaunt-get-fresh-and-the-mermaid-of-westminster-will-break-your-arm-dh5jscgxflc |title=Penny Mordaunt: Get fresh and the mermaid of Westminster will break your arm |first=Rosie |last=Kinchen |date=12 January 2014 |work=The Sunday Times |url-access=subscription |access-date=2 May 2019 |archive-date=2 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190502212459/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/penny-mordaunt-get-fresh-and-the-mermaid-of-westminster-will-break-your-arm-dh5jscgxflc |url-status=live }}</ref> The actress [[Dame Angela Lansbury]] was her grandmother's cousin,<ref name=penportraits/><ref>{{cite news |last=Bell |first=Matthew |title=''The Feral Beast:'' Cecilia pins her hopes on the Pope |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/diary/the-feral-beast-cecilia-pins-her-hopes-on-the-pope-8547065.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220525/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/diary/the-feral-beast-cecilia-pins-her-hopes-on-the-pope-8547065.html |archive-date=25 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |work=[[The Independent]] |date=18 March 2004 |access-date=16 May 2009}}</ref> thus she is distantly related to former [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour Party]] leader [[George Lansbury]].<ref>[https://conservativehome.com/2016/03/17/profile-penny-mordaunt-a-risque-but-not-revolting-contender-for-the-tory-leadership/ Profile: Penny Mordaunt, a risqué but not revolting potential Tory leadership contender] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220713135347/https://conservativehome.com/2016/03/17/profile-penny-mordaunt-a-risque-but-not-revolting-contender-for-the-tory-leadership/ |date=13 July 2022 }} ''[[Conservative Home]]'', 17 March 2016. Retrieved 13 July 2022.</ref>


Mordaunt has two brothers: her twin, James, and a younger brother, Edward.<ref name="profile"/> She was educated at [[Oaklands Catholic School|Oaklands Roman Catholic School]] in [[Waterlooville]], [[Hampshire]], and studied drama at the Victoryland Theatre School.<ref>{{cite web |title=Penny Mordaunt: Member of Parliament for Portsmouth North |url=http://www.conservatives.com/OurTeam/Members_of_Parliament/Mordaunt_Penny.aspx |website=conservatives.com |access-date=8 May 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141216083409/https://www.conservatives.com/OurTeam/Members_of_Parliament/Mordaunt_Penny.aspx |archive-date=16 December 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Mordaunt was 15 when her mother died of breast cancer and after leaving school, she became her younger brother Edward's primary caregiver. The following year her father was also diagnosed with cancer, from which he recovered. To support her time at university Mordaunt worked in a [[Johnson & Johnson]] factory, and became a [[magician's assistant]] to Will Ayling, a past president of the [[Portsmouth and District Magic Circle]] and of the British Ring of the [[International Brotherhood of Magicians]].<ref name=BE17>{{cite news|url=https://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/15651817.new-minister-penny-mordaunt-sawn-in-half-in-bournemouth-hotels/|title=New minister Penny Mordaunt sawn in half in Bournemouth hotels|author=Darren Slade|date=9 November 2017|work=[[Bournemouth Echo]]|accessdate=6 July 2022|archive-date=6 July 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220706100021/https://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/15651817.new-minister-penny-mordaunt-sawn-in-half-in-bournemouth-hotels/|url-status=live}}</ref>
Mordaunt has two brothers: her twin, James,<ref>{{cite web |title=Penny Mordaunt's twin James: this is the 'the most anti-LGBT government I've seen' |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/londoners-diary/penny-mordaunt-twin-james-antilgbt-tories-suella-braverman-b1114610.html |website=www.standard.co.uk|date=19 October 2023 }}</ref> and a younger brother, Edward.<ref name="profile"/> She was educated at [[Oaklands Catholic School|Oaklands Roman Catholic School]] in [[Waterlooville]], [[Hampshire]], and studied drama at the Victoryland Theatre School.<ref>{{cite web |title=Penny Mordaunt: Member of Parliament for Portsmouth North |url=http://www.conservatives.com/OurTeam/Members_of_Parliament/Mordaunt_Penny.aspx |website=conservatives.com |access-date=8 May 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141216083409/https://www.conservatives.com/OurTeam/Members_of_Parliament/Mordaunt_Penny.aspx |archive-date=16 December 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Mordaunt was 15 when her mother died of breast cancer and after leaving school, she became her younger brother Edward's primary caregiver. The following year her father was also diagnosed with cancer, from which he recovered. To support her time at university Mordaunt worked in a [[Johnson & Johnson]] factory, and became a [[magician's assistant]] to Will Ayling, a past president of the [[Portsmouth and District Magic Circle]] and of the British Ring of the [[International Brotherhood of Magicians]].<ref name=BE17>{{cite news|url=https://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/15651817.new-minister-penny-mordaunt-sawn-in-half-in-bournemouth-hotels/|title=New minister Penny Mordaunt sawn in half in Bournemouth hotels|author=Darren Slade|date=9 November 2017|work=[[Bournemouth Echo]]|accessdate=6 July 2022|archive-date=6 July 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220706100021/https://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/15651817.new-minister-penny-mordaunt-sawn-in-half-in-bournemouth-hotels/|url-status=live}}</ref>


Mordaunt has attributed her interest in politics to her experiences whilst working in hospitals and orphanages of [[Romania]] in the aftermath of the [[Romanian Revolution of 1989|1989 revolution]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Murphy |first=Joe |title=Howard's harem |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130505104507/http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/news/article-9713092-details/Howard's+harem/article.do |archive-date=5 May 2013 |url=http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/news/article-9713092-details/Howard's+harem/article.do |work=[[Evening Standard]] |date=18 March 2004 |access-date=8 May 2015}}</ref> Mordaunt read philosophy at the [[University of Reading]], graduating in 1995 with upper second class honours. Although her parents had both undertaken [[further education]], Mordaunt was the first member of her family to attend university.<ref name="profile">{{cite web |title=Penny Mordaunt profile |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100430133318/http://www.conservatives.com/People/Prospective_Parliamentary_Candidates/Mordaunt_Penny.aspx |archive-date=30 April 2010 |url=http://www.conservatives.com/People/Prospective_Parliamentary_Candidates/Mordaunt_Penny.aspx |work=conservatives.com |access-date=8 May 2015}}</ref> Mordaunt was active in student politics and served as president of the Reading University [[Student unionism in the United Kingdom|Students' Union]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Penny Mordaunt MP renames landmark University building and gives annual Edith Morley Lecture |url=https://www.reading.ac.uk/news-archive/press-releases/pr713870.html |work=University of Reading |access-date=14 August 2021 |date=10 March 2017 |archive-date=13 July 2022 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20220713161627/https://www.reading.ac.uk/news-archive/press-releases/pr713870.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
Mordaunt has attributed her interest in politics to her experiences whilst working in hospitals and orphanages of [[Romania]] in the aftermath of the [[Romanian Revolution of 1989|1989 revolution]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Murphy |first=Joe |title=Howard's harem |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130505104507/http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/news/article-9713092-details/Howard's+harem/article.do |archive-date=5 May 2013 |url=http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/news/article-9713092-details/Howard's+harem/article.do |work=[[Evening Standard]] |date=18 March 2004 |access-date=8 May 2015}}</ref> Mordaunt read philosophy at the [[University of Reading]], graduating in 1995 with upper second class honours. Although her parents had both undertaken [[further education]], Mordaunt was the first member of her family to attend university.<ref name="profile">{{cite web |title=Penny Mordaunt profile |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100430133318/http://www.conservatives.com/People/Prospective_Parliamentary_Candidates/Mordaunt_Penny.aspx |archive-date=30 April 2010 |url=http://www.conservatives.com/People/Prospective_Parliamentary_Candidates/Mordaunt_Penny.aspx |work=conservatives.com |access-date=8 May 2015}}</ref> Mordaunt was active in student politics and served as president of the Reading University [[Student unionism in the United Kingdom|Students' Union]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Penny Mordaunt MP renames landmark University building and gives annual Edith Morley Lecture |url=https://www.reading.ac.uk/news-archive/press-releases/pr713870.html |work=University of Reading |access-date=14 August 2021 |date=10 March 2017 |archive-date=13 July 2022 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20220713161627/https://www.reading.ac.uk/news-archive/press-releases/pr713870.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
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Mordaunt was appointed [[Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State]] for Decentralisation at the [[Department for Communities and Local Government]] by Prime Minister [[David Cameron]] in the [[2014 British cabinet reshuffle|2014 cabinet reshuffle]].<ref name=penportraits>{{cite news |last=Hope |first=Christopher |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/10969676/Pen-portraits-of-the-10-Conservative-women-ministers-who-were-promoted-in-the-reshuffle.html |title=Pen portraits of the 10 Conservative women ministers who were promoted in the reshuffle |work=[[The Daily Telegraph|The Telegraph]] |date=15 July 2014 |access-date=15 July 2014 |url-access=subscription |archive-date=17 May 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170517122250/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/10969676/Pen-portraits-of-the-10-Conservative-women-ministers-who-were-promoted-in-the-reshuffle.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Kelly |first=Liam |url=https://www.theguardian.com/housing-network/2014/jul/15/brandon-lewis-housing-planning-minister-reshuffle |title=Brandon Lewis promoted to housing and planning minister in reshuffle |work=The Guardian |date=15 July 2014 |access-date=15 July 2014 |archive-date=16 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140716053127/http://www.theguardian.com/housing-network/2014/jul/15/brandon-lewis-housing-planning-minister-reshuffle |url-status=live }}</ref> During her tenure, she was accused by the [[Fire Brigades Union]] "of misleading MPs over assurances given to firefighters from fire authorities regarding what would happen to their pensions if they fail fitness tests". This dispute led to strike action by firefighters over the increase of retirement age.<ref name=Firefighters>{{cite news |agency=[[Press Association]] |title=Firefighters in England announce new industrial action |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/feb/16/firefighters-england-industrial-action-fire-brigades-union-strike-government-pensions |date=16 February 2016 |work=[[The Guardian]] |access-date=6 February 2016 |archive-date = 30 December 2015|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20151230015056/http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/feb/16/firefighters-england-industrial-action-fire-brigades-union-strike-government-pensions |url-status=live}}</ref>
Mordaunt was appointed [[Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State]] for Decentralisation at the [[Department for Communities and Local Government]] by Prime Minister [[David Cameron]] in the [[2014 British cabinet reshuffle|2014 cabinet reshuffle]].<ref name=penportraits>{{cite news |last=Hope |first=Christopher |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/10969676/Pen-portraits-of-the-10-Conservative-women-ministers-who-were-promoted-in-the-reshuffle.html |title=Pen portraits of the 10 Conservative women ministers who were promoted in the reshuffle |work=[[The Daily Telegraph|The Telegraph]] |date=15 July 2014 |access-date=15 July 2014 |url-access=subscription |archive-date=17 May 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170517122250/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/10969676/Pen-portraits-of-the-10-Conservative-women-ministers-who-were-promoted-in-the-reshuffle.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Kelly |first=Liam |url=https://www.theguardian.com/housing-network/2014/jul/15/brandon-lewis-housing-planning-minister-reshuffle |title=Brandon Lewis promoted to housing and planning minister in reshuffle |work=The Guardian |date=15 July 2014 |access-date=15 July 2014 |archive-date=16 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140716053127/http://www.theguardian.com/housing-network/2014/jul/15/brandon-lewis-housing-planning-minister-reshuffle |url-status=live }}</ref> During her tenure, she was accused by the [[Fire Brigades Union]] "of misleading MPs over assurances given to firefighters from fire authorities regarding what would happen to their pensions if they fail fitness tests". This dispute led to strike action by firefighters over the increase of retirement age.<ref name=Firefighters>{{cite news |agency=[[Press Association]] |title=Firefighters in England announce new industrial action |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/feb/16/firefighters-england-industrial-action-fire-brigades-union-strike-government-pensions |date=16 February 2016 |work=[[The Guardian]] |access-date=6 February 2016 |archive-date = 30 December 2015|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20151230015056/http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/feb/16/firefighters-england-industrial-action-fire-brigades-union-strike-government-pensions |url-status=live}}</ref>


Mordaunt was appointed [[Minister of State for the Armed Forces]] in May 2015, becoming the first woman to hold the post.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.itv.com/news/update/2015-05-11/penny-mordaunt-first-female-armed-forces-minister/ |title=Penny Mordaunt first female Armed Forces Minister |work=[[ITV News]] |date=11 May 2015 |access-date=30 July 2022 |archive-date=20 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201020180136/https://www.itv.com/news/update/2015-05-11/penny-mordaunt-first-female-armed-forces-minister/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Major Robert Campbell, who was investigated and exonerated over the death of an Iraqi in 2003, criticised Mordaunt for backing the [[Iraq Historic Allegations Team]] while she was Armed Forces Minister, stating: "Now she is depicting herself as the armed forces champion but she never did anything for me. She needs to apologise for how we were treated. She failed us as the armed forces champion."<ref>{{cite news |last1=Mendick |first1=Robert |title=Penny Mordaunt 'failed to protect Iraq veterans from witch-hunts' |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2022/07/13/penny-mordaunt-accused-failing-iraq-veterans-subjected-witch/ |access-date=16 July 2022 |work=The Telegraph |date=13 July 2022 |archive-date=15 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220715171645/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2022/07/13/penny-mordaunt-accused-failing-iraq-veterans-subjected-witch/ |url-status=live}}</ref> In July 2016, following [[Theresa May]]'s appointment as Prime Minister, Mordaunt was appointed [[Minister of State for Disabled People, Work and Health]] at the [[Department for Work and Pensions]].
Mordaunt was appointed [[Minister of State for the Armed Forces]] in May 2015, becoming the first woman to hold the post.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.itv.com/news/update/2015-05-11/penny-mordaunt-first-female-armed-forces-minister/ |title=Penny Mordaunt first female Armed Forces Minister |work=[[ITV News]] |date=11 May 2015 |access-date=30 July 2022 |archive-date=20 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201020180136/https://www.itv.com/news/update/2015-05-11/penny-mordaunt-first-female-armed-forces-minister/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Major Robert Campbell, who was investigated and exonerated over the death of an Iraqi in 2003, criticised Mordaunt for backing the [[Iraq Historic Allegations Team]] while she was Armed Forces Minister, stating: "Now she is depicting herself as the armed forces champion but she never did anything for me. She needs to apologise for how we were treated. She failed us as the armed forces champion."<ref>{{cite news |last1=Mendick |first1=Robert |title=Penny Mordaunt 'failed to protect Iraq veterans from witch-hunts' |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2022/07/13/penny-mordaunt-accused-failing-iraq-veterans-subjected-witch/ |access-date=16 July 2022 |work=The Telegraph |date=13 July 2022 |archive-date=15 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220715171645/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2022/07/13/penny-mordaunt-accused-failing-iraq-veterans-subjected-witch/ |url-status=live}}</ref> In July 2016, following [[Theresa May]]'s appointment as prime minister, Mordaunt was appointed [[Minister of State for Disabled People, Work and Health]] at the [[Department for Work and Pensions]].


===Secretary of State for International Development: 2017–2019===
===Secretary of State for International Development: 2017–2019===
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===Secretary of State for Defence: 2019===
===Secretary of State for Defence: 2019===
[[File:Penny Mordaunt at RUSI cropped.jpg|thumb|upright=1.15|right|Mordaunt in 2019]]
[[File:Penny Mordaunt at RUSI cropped.jpg|thumb|upright=1.15|right|Mordaunt in 2019]]
On 1 May 2019, Mordaunt was appointed as the first female [[Secretary of State for Defence]] following the dismissal of [[Gavin Williamson]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-48126974 |title=Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson sacked over Huawei leak |work=BBC News |date=1 May 2019 |access-date=1 May 2019 |archive-date=26 September 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190926013520/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-48126974 |url-status=live }}</ref> After [[Boris Johnson]] was elected Conservative Leader and appointed Prime Minister, he sacked Mordaunt as Defence Secretary, thus she left the [[Her Majesty's Government (term)|Government]] on 24 July 2019.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Devlin |first1=Kate |title=Penny Mordaunt sacked as defence secretary |url=https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/hammond-leads-wave-of-resignations-qcf6brskw |access-date=29 November 2020 |work=[[The Times]] |date=24 July 2019 |url-access=subscription |archive-date=8 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220708033003/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/hammond-leads-wave-of-resignations-qcf6brskw |url-status=live }}</ref> Mordaunt had been a prominent supporter of Johnson's opponent, [[Jeremy Hunt]], in the [[2019 Conservative Party leadership election]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/jun/10/jeremy-hunt-wins-support-penny-mordaunt-conservative-leadership |title=Jeremy Hunt pitches himself as the 'serious leader' in Tory race |date=10 June 2019 |work=[[The Guardian]] |location=London |accessdate=30 July 2022 |archive-date=10 June 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190610235700/https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/jun/10/jeremy-hunt-wins-support-penny-mordaunt-conservative-leadership |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/defence-secretary-penny-mordaunt-backs-jeremy-hunt-for-tory-leader_uk_5cfe347ae4b02ee3477a0137 |title=Defence Secretary Penny Mordaunt Backs Jeremy Hunt For Tory Leader |work=Huffingtonpost.co.uk |date=10 June 2019 |access-date=30 July 2022 |archive-date=7 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220707195409/https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/defence-secretary-penny-mordaunt-backs-jeremy-hunt-for-tory-leader_uk_5cfe347ae4b02ee3477a0137 |url-status=live }}</ref>
On 1 May 2019, Mordaunt was appointed as the first female [[Secretary of State for Defence]] following the dismissal of [[Gavin Williamson]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-48126974 |title=Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson sacked over Huawei leak |work=BBC News |date=1 May 2019 |access-date=1 May 2019 |archive-date=26 September 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190926013520/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-48126974 |url-status=live }}</ref> After [[Boris Johnson]] was elected Conservative Leader and appointed prime minister, he sacked Mordaunt as Defence Secretary, thus she left the [[Her Majesty's Government (term)|Government]] on 24 July 2019.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Devlin |first1=Kate |title=Penny Mordaunt sacked as defence secretary |url=https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/hammond-leads-wave-of-resignations-qcf6brskw |access-date=29 November 2020 |work=[[The Times]] |date=24 July 2019 |url-access=subscription |archive-date=8 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220708033003/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/hammond-leads-wave-of-resignations-qcf6brskw |url-status=live }}</ref> Mordaunt had been a prominent supporter of Johnson's opponent, [[Jeremy Hunt]], in the [[2019 Conservative Party leadership election]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/jun/10/jeremy-hunt-wins-support-penny-mordaunt-conservative-leadership |title=Jeremy Hunt pitches himself as the 'serious leader' in Tory race |date=10 June 2019 |work=[[The Guardian]] |location=London |accessdate=30 July 2022 |archive-date=10 June 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190610235700/https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/jun/10/jeremy-hunt-wins-support-penny-mordaunt-conservative-leadership |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/defence-secretary-penny-mordaunt-backs-jeremy-hunt-for-tory-leader_uk_5cfe347ae4b02ee3477a0137 |title=Defence Secretary Penny Mordaunt Backs Jeremy Hunt For Tory Leader |work=Huffingtonpost.co.uk |date=10 June 2019 |access-date=30 July 2022 |archive-date=7 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220707195409/https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/defence-secretary-penny-mordaunt-backs-jeremy-hunt-for-tory-leader_uk_5cfe347ae4b02ee3477a0137 |url-status=live }}</ref>


===Re-entry into Government===
===Re-entry into Government===
In [[2020 British cabinet reshuffle|a cabinet reshuffle in February 2020]], Mordaunt re-entered the Government, joining the [[Cabinet Office]] as [[Paymaster General]] in succession to [[Oliver Dowden]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Paymaster General|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/ministers/paymaster-general|access-date=17 June 2020|work=GOV.UK|archive-date=17 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200617233234/https://www.gov.uk/government/ministers/paymaster-general|url-status=live}}</ref> She was the UK alternate co-chair of the [[Brexit withdrawal agreement|EU Withdrawal Agreement Joint Committee]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/876873/Withdrawal-Agreement-Joint-Committee-Fact-Sheet-FINAL.pdf|title=Withdrawal Agreement Joint Committee – Fact Sheet|work=GOV.UK|access-date=7 December 2020|archive-date=28 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200928054311/https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/876873/Withdrawal-Agreement-Joint-Committee-Fact-Sheet-FINAL.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> She was appointed [[Minister of State for Trade Policy]] in the [[2021 British cabinet reshuffle|2021 cabinet reshuffle]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Reshuffle sees Portsmouth MP Penny Mordaunt out as paymaster general in move to trade|url=https://www.portsmouth.co.uk/news/politics/reshuffle-sees-portsmouth-mp-penny-mordaunt-out-as-paymaster-general-in-move-to-trade-as-minister-of-state-3384942|access-date=16 September 2021|work=Portsmouth News|last=Fishwick|first=Ben|date=16 September 2021|archive-date=16 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210916195237/https://www.portsmouth.co.uk/news/politics/reshuffle-sees-portsmouth-mp-penny-mordaunt-out-as-paymaster-general-in-move-to-trade-as-minister-of-state-3384942|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Lord Frost]] was critical of her time as his deputy in the [[Brexit]] [[negotiation]]s, saying he had "grave reservations" about her being Prime Minister and that "she did not master the detail that was necessary when we were in negotiations".<ref>{{cite news |title=David Frost has 'grave reservations' about Penny Mordaunt as Tory leader |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2022/jul/14/david-frost-grave-reservations-penny-mordaunt-tory-leader |work=The Guardian |date=14 July 2022 |language=en |access-date=16 July 2022 |archive-date=16 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220716113341/https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2022/jul/14/david-frost-grave-reservations-penny-mordaunt-tory-leader |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Lord Frost says Penny Mordaunt isn't up to the job |url=https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/watch-lord-frost-says-penny-mordaunt-isn-t-up-the-job |access-date=16 July 2022 |work=The Spectator |language=en |archive-date=16 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220716112938/https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/watch-lord-frost-says-penny-mordaunt-isn-t-up-the-job |url-status=live }}</ref>
In [[2020 British cabinet reshuffle|a cabinet reshuffle in February 2020]], Mordaunt re-entered the Government, joining the [[Cabinet Office]] as [[Paymaster General]] in succession to [[Oliver Dowden]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Paymaster General|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/ministers/paymaster-general|access-date=17 June 2020|work=GOV.UK|archive-date=17 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200617233234/https://www.gov.uk/government/ministers/paymaster-general|url-status=live}}</ref> She was the UK alternate co-chair of the [[Brexit withdrawal agreement|EU Withdrawal Agreement Joint Committee]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/876873/Withdrawal-Agreement-Joint-Committee-Fact-Sheet-FINAL.pdf|title=Withdrawal Agreement Joint Committee – Fact Sheet|work=GOV.UK|access-date=7 December 2020|archive-date=28 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200928054311/https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/876873/Withdrawal-Agreement-Joint-Committee-Fact-Sheet-FINAL.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> She was appointed [[Minister of State for Trade Policy]] in the [[2021 British cabinet reshuffle|2021 cabinet reshuffle]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Reshuffle sees Portsmouth MP Penny Mordaunt out as paymaster general in move to trade|url=https://www.portsmouth.co.uk/news/politics/reshuffle-sees-portsmouth-mp-penny-mordaunt-out-as-paymaster-general-in-move-to-trade-as-minister-of-state-3384942|access-date=16 September 2021|work=Portsmouth News|last=Fishwick|first=Ben|date=16 September 2021|archive-date=16 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210916195237/https://www.portsmouth.co.uk/news/politics/reshuffle-sees-portsmouth-mp-penny-mordaunt-out-as-paymaster-general-in-move-to-trade-as-minister-of-state-3384942|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Lord Frost]] was critical of her time as his deputy in the [[Brexit]] [[negotiation]]s, saying he had "grave reservations" about her being prime minister and that "she did not master the detail that was necessary when we were in negotiations".<ref>{{cite news |title=David Frost has 'grave reservations' about Penny Mordaunt as Tory leader |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2022/jul/14/david-frost-grave-reservations-penny-mordaunt-tory-leader |work=The Guardian |date=14 July 2022 |language=en |access-date=16 July 2022 |archive-date=16 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220716113341/https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2022/jul/14/david-frost-grave-reservations-penny-mordaunt-tory-leader |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Lord Frost says Penny Mordaunt isn't up to the job |url=https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/watch-lord-frost-says-penny-mordaunt-isn-t-up-the-job |access-date=16 July 2022 |work=The Spectator |language=en |archive-date=16 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220716112938/https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/watch-lord-frost-says-penny-mordaunt-isn-t-up-the-job |url-status=live }}</ref>


===Leader of the House of Commons: 2022–2024===
===Leader of the House of Commons: 2022–2024===
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On 6 May 2023, Mordaunt participated in the [[coronation of Charles III and Camilla]], presenting the [[Jewelled Sword of Offering]], in her ceremonial role as [[Privy Council (United Kingdom)|Lord President of the Privy Council]] and [[List of people involved in coronations of the British monarch|bearer]] of the [[Sword of State]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Coronation order of service in full |work=BBC News |date=5 May 2023 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-65503950 |access-date=6 May 2023 |archive-date=6 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230506001110/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-65503950 |url-status=live }}</ref> She became the first woman ever to fulfil the role. Instead of the traditional court dress,<ref>{{Cite news |date=5 May 2023 |title=Meet Penny Mordaunt, the minister carrying a sword for King Charles |work=Politico |url=https://www.politico.eu/article/my-part-in-the-pomp-meet-the-uk-minister-carrying-a-huge-sword-for-king-charles/ |access-date=7 December 2023 |archive-date=7 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231207180804/https://www.politico.eu/article/my-part-in-the-pomp-meet-the-uk-minister-carrying-a-huge-sword-for-king-charles/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Mordaunt commissioned her outfit, which included teal-shade cape dress and headpiece both embroidered with golden ferns.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bromley |first=Joe |date=7 May 2023 |title=Penny Mordaunt's Coronation outfit, sword and role in the crowning of King Charles |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/insider/fashion/penny-mordaunt-coronation-outfit-sword-role-king-charles-ceremony-b1079319.html |access-date=8 May 2023 |website=Evening Standard |language=en |archive-date=8 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230508090056/https://www.standard.co.uk/insider/fashion/penny-mordaunt-coronation-outfit-sword-role-king-charles-ceremony-b1079319.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Mordaunt's outfit and overall performance in carrying the heavy Sword of State went viral online,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-65510506|title=Coronation: Penny Mordaunt's sword-wielding role - and other top moments|work=BBC News|first=Andre|last=Rhoden-Paul|date=6 May 2023|accessdate=7 May 2023|archive-date=6 May 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230506232449/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-65510506|url-status=live}}</ref> receiving praise from both benches of the Parliament.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Taylor |first=Harry |date=6 May 2023 |title=Pippa Middleton of the coronation: Penny Mordaunt steals the show |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/may/06/pippa-middleton-of-the-coronation-penny-mordaunt-steals-the-show |access-date=7 December 2023 |archive-date=7 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231207180818/https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/may/06/pippa-middleton-of-the-coronation-penny-mordaunt-steals-the-show |url-status=live }}</ref> Mordaunt attributed her strength to her previous navy training,<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Syed |first=Armani |date=6 May 2023 |title=Why Penny Mordaunt Was the Star of King Charles III's Coronation |magazine=Time |url=https://time.com/6277718/penny-mordaunt-king-charles-coronation/ |access-date=7 December 2023 |archive-date=5 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231205063024/https://time.com/6277718/penny-mordaunt-king-charles-coronation/ |url-status=live }}</ref> while disclosing that she took painkillers before the ceremony.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Thomas |first=Tobi |date=11 May 2023 |title=Penny Mordaunt says she took painkillers before sword-carrying role |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2023/may/11/penny-mordaunt-took-painkillers-before-sword-carrying-role-coronation |access-date=11 May 2023 |issn=0261-3077 |archive-date=11 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230511084131/https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2023/may/11/penny-mordaunt-took-painkillers-before-sword-carrying-role-coronation |url-status=live }}</ref>
On 6 May 2023, Mordaunt participated in the [[coronation of Charles III and Camilla]], presenting the [[Jewelled Sword of Offering]], in her ceremonial role as [[Privy Council (United Kingdom)|Lord President of the Privy Council]] and [[List of people involved in coronations of the British monarch|bearer]] of the [[Sword of State]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Coronation order of service in full |work=BBC News |date=5 May 2023 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-65503950 |access-date=6 May 2023 |archive-date=6 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230506001110/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-65503950 |url-status=live }}</ref> She became the first woman ever to fulfil the role. Instead of the traditional court dress,<ref>{{Cite news |date=5 May 2023 |title=Meet Penny Mordaunt, the minister carrying a sword for King Charles |work=Politico |url=https://www.politico.eu/article/my-part-in-the-pomp-meet-the-uk-minister-carrying-a-huge-sword-for-king-charles/ |access-date=7 December 2023 |archive-date=7 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231207180804/https://www.politico.eu/article/my-part-in-the-pomp-meet-the-uk-minister-carrying-a-huge-sword-for-king-charles/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Mordaunt commissioned her outfit, which included teal-shade cape dress and headpiece both embroidered with golden ferns.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bromley |first=Joe |date=7 May 2023 |title=Penny Mordaunt's Coronation outfit, sword and role in the crowning of King Charles |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/insider/fashion/penny-mordaunt-coronation-outfit-sword-role-king-charles-ceremony-b1079319.html |access-date=8 May 2023 |website=Evening Standard |language=en |archive-date=8 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230508090056/https://www.standard.co.uk/insider/fashion/penny-mordaunt-coronation-outfit-sword-role-king-charles-ceremony-b1079319.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Mordaunt's outfit and overall performance in carrying the heavy Sword of State went viral online,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-65510506|title=Coronation: Penny Mordaunt's sword-wielding role - and other top moments|work=BBC News|first=Andre|last=Rhoden-Paul|date=6 May 2023|accessdate=7 May 2023|archive-date=6 May 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230506232449/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-65510506|url-status=live}}</ref> receiving praise from both benches of the Parliament.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Taylor |first=Harry |date=6 May 2023 |title=Pippa Middleton of the coronation: Penny Mordaunt steals the show |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/may/06/pippa-middleton-of-the-coronation-penny-mordaunt-steals-the-show |access-date=7 December 2023 |archive-date=7 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231207180818/https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/may/06/pippa-middleton-of-the-coronation-penny-mordaunt-steals-the-show |url-status=live }}</ref> Mordaunt attributed her strength to her previous navy training,<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Syed |first=Armani |date=6 May 2023 |title=Why Penny Mordaunt Was the Star of King Charles III's Coronation |magazine=Time |url=https://time.com/6277718/penny-mordaunt-king-charles-coronation/ |access-date=7 December 2023 |archive-date=5 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231205063024/https://time.com/6277718/penny-mordaunt-king-charles-coronation/ |url-status=live }}</ref> while disclosing that she took painkillers before the ceremony.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Thomas |first=Tobi |date=11 May 2023 |title=Penny Mordaunt says she took painkillers before sword-carrying role |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2023/may/11/penny-mordaunt-took-painkillers-before-sword-carrying-role-coronation |access-date=11 May 2023 |issn=0261-3077 |archive-date=11 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230511084131/https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2023/may/11/penny-mordaunt-took-painkillers-before-sword-carrying-role-coronation |url-status=live }}</ref>


During the [[2024 United Kingdom general election|2024 general election]] Mordaunt attended a BBC debate hosted by [[Mishal Husain]] which took place on 7 June, and also included [[Nigel Farage]], [[Carla Denyer]], [[Rhun ap Iorwerth]], [[Daisy Cooper]], [[Stephen Flynn (Scottish politician)|Stephen Flynn]] and [[Angela Rayner]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=7 June 2024 |title=The key figures who took part in BBC election debate |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c1dd354j2z0o |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240608125848/https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c1dd354j2z0o |archive-date=8 June 2024 |access-date=8 June 2024 |website=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref> The debate included exchanges between Mordaunt and Rayner over Labour's tax plans, and all the attendees criticised Sunak leaving the D-Day events early; Mordaunt said Sunak's choice to leave prematurely had been "completely wrong."<ref>{{Cite web |date=7 June 2024 |title=Seven takeaways from multi-party BBC election debate |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/clddkpy66eno |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240608145928/https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/clddkpy66eno |archive-date=8 June 2024 |access-date=8 June 2024 |website=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=7 June 2024 |title=Mordaunt says Sunak's decision to leave D-Day event was 'wrong' |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cg33x0907nro |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240608021751/https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cg33x0907nro |archive-date=8 June 2024 |access-date=8 June 2024 |website=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref> Another debate between these leaders took place on 13 June, with [[Julie Etchingham]] as moderator.<ref>{{Cite web |title=ITV announces further election debate &#124; Press Centre |url=https://www.itv.com/presscentre/presscentre/media-releases/itv-announces-further-election-debate |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240601000331/https://www.itv.com/presscentre/presscentre/media-releases/itv-announces-further-election-debate |archive-date=1 June 2024 |access-date=31 May 2024}}</ref> The debate included further exchanges between Mordaunt and Rayner over Labour's tax plans.<ref>{{Cite web |title=General election live 2024: Parties clash over NHS and education in ITV debate |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/uk-politics-69111362 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240613203445/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/uk-politics-69111362 |archive-date=13 June 2024 |access-date=2024-06-13 |website=BBC News |date=12 June 2024 |language=en-gb}}</ref>
In May 2024, before the [[2024 United Kingdom general election|2024 general election]], Mordaunt's office produced a guide warning that conspiracy theories 'can pose a danger to democracy',<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-68990672|title=MPs given guide to spotting conspiracy theories|work=BBC News |date=14 May 2024}}</ref> which included the [[15-minute city#Conspiracy theories|'15-minute cities' conspiracy theory]] that had been quoted by some Conservatives. During the election campaign, Mordaunt attended a BBC debate hosted by [[Mishal Husain]] which took place on 7 June, and also included [[Nigel Farage]], [[Carla Denyer]], [[Rhun ap Iorwerth]], [[Daisy Cooper]], [[Stephen Flynn (Scottish politician)|Stephen Flynn]] and [[Angela Rayner]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=7 June 2024 |title=The key figures who took part in BBC election debate |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c1dd354j2z0o |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240608125848/https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c1dd354j2z0o |archive-date=8 June 2024 |access-date=8 June 2024 |website=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref> The debate included exchanges between Mordaunt and Rayner over Labour's tax plans, and all the attendees criticised Sunak leaving the D-Day events early; Mordaunt said Sunak's choice to leave prematurely had been "completely wrong."<ref>{{Cite web |date=7 June 2024 |title=Seven takeaways from multi-party BBC election debate |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/clddkpy66eno |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240608145928/https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/clddkpy66eno |archive-date=8 June 2024 |access-date=8 June 2024 |website=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=7 June 2024 |title=Mordaunt says Sunak's decision to leave D-Day event was 'wrong' |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cg33x0907nro |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240608021751/https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cg33x0907nro |archive-date=8 June 2024 |access-date=8 June 2024 |website=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref> Another debate between these leaders took place on 13 June, with [[Julie Etchingham]] as moderator.<ref>{{Cite web |title=ITV announces further election debate &#124; Press Centre |url=https://www.itv.com/presscentre/presscentre/media-releases/itv-announces-further-election-debate |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240601000331/https://www.itv.com/presscentre/presscentre/media-releases/itv-announces-further-election-debate |archive-date=1 June 2024 |access-date=31 May 2024}}</ref> The debate included further exchanges between Mordaunt and Rayner over Labour's tax plans.<ref>{{Cite web |title=General election live 2024: Parties clash over NHS and education in ITV debate |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/uk-politics-69111362 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240613203445/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/uk-politics-69111362 |archive-date=13 June 2024 |access-date=2024-06-13 |website=BBC News |date=12 June 2024 |language=en-gb}}</ref>


In the [[2024 United Kingdom general election|2024 general election]], Mordaunt lost her Portsmouth North seat to Labour candidate [[Amanda Martin]]. Mordaunt was one of many high-profile Conservative politicians who lost their seats in Labour’s landslide victory, alongside Liz Truss, [[Grant Shapps]], [[Jacob Rees-Mogg|Jacob-Rees Mogg]] and [[Johnny Mercer (politician)|Johnny Mercer]].<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |title=The 2024 election's 'Portillo moments': which 'Big Beasts' have lost their seats? {{!}} General election 2024 {{!}} The Guardian |url=https://amp.theguardian.com/politics/article/2024/jul/05/2024-election-portillo-moments-which-big-beasts-have-lost-their-seats |access-date=2024-07-06 |website=amp.theguardian.com}}</ref>
In the [[2024 United Kingdom general election|2024 general election]], Mordaunt lost her Portsmouth North seat to Labour candidate [[Amanda Martin]]. Mordaunt was one of many high-profile Conservative politicians who lost their seats in Labour’s landslide victory, alongside Liz Truss, [[Grant Shapps]], [[Jacob Rees-Mogg]] and [[Johnny Mercer (politician)|Johnny Mercer]].<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |title=The 2024 election's 'Portillo moments': which 'Big Beasts' have lost their seats? {{!}} General election 2024 {{!}} The Guardian |url=https://amp.theguardian.com/politics/article/2024/jul/05/2024-election-portillo-moments-which-big-beasts-have-lost-their-seats |access-date=2024-07-06 |website=amp.theguardian.com}}</ref>


==Conservative Leadership bids==
==Conservative leadership bids==


===July–September 2022===
===July–September 2022===
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==Personal life==
==Personal life==
Mordaunt has been a member of the [[British Astronomical Association]],<ref>{{cite web |title=Penny Mordaunt's appointment applauded in Britain |url=https://www.sundayguardianlive.com/world/11610-penny-mordaunt-s-appointment-applauded-britain |website=[[The Sunday Guardian]] |date=11 November 2017 |access-date=13 July 2022 |archive-date=13 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220713104119/https://www.sundayguardianlive.com/world/11610-penny-mordaunt-s-appointment-applauded-britain |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Penny Mordaunt – British Astronomical Association |url=https://britastro.org/forums/topic/penny-mordaunt |access-date=16 July 2022 |language=en-GB |archive-date=16 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220716075500/https://britastro.org/forums/topic/penny-mordaunt |url-status=live }}</ref> and, {{As of|2013|lc=y}}, was chair of the [[Wymering Manor]] Trust in Portsmouth.<ref>{{cite news |last=Stafford |first=Stephen |title=Volunteers' hopes for 'haunted' Wymering Manor |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-21355760 |work=BBC News |date=15 February 2013 |access-date=15 July 2014 |archive-date=18 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190518142046/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-21355760 |url-status=live }}</ref> She ran the League of Friends visiting team at the [[Queen Alexandra Hospital]] in [[Portsmouth]] for eight years.<ref name="ageuk"/> Mordaunt met Paul Murray when they were both students at the [[University of Reading]] and married him in 1999, but that ended in divorce the following year.<ref>{{cite news |first=Iain |last=Dale |url=https://www.thetimes.co.uk/magazine/the-sunday-times-magazine/penny-mordaunt-interview-britains-first-female-defence-secretary-on-her-dream-job-7rswjfbbr |title=Penny Mordaunt interview: Britain's first female defence secretary on her dream job |work=The Sunday Times |date=21 July 2019 |access-date=22 July 2019 |url-access=subscription |archive-date=21 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190721131540/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/magazine/the-sunday-times-magazine/penny-mordaunt-interview-britains-first-female-defence-secretary-on-her-dream-job-7rswjfbbr |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first=Iain |last=Dale |url=https://www.iaindale.com/articles/the-penny-mordaunt-profile-long-read-version |title=Penny Mordaunt interview: Britain's first female defence secretary on her dream job |date=21 July 2019 |access-date=13 July 2022 |archive-date=10 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220710041253/https://www.iaindale.com/articles/the-penny-mordaunt-profile-long-read-version |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2016, she ended a long-term relationship with businessman Ian Lyon, a part-time classical singer.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Dahal |first1=Anish |title=Meet The Classical Singer Ian Lyon Who Is Popular As The Partner Of MP Penny Mordaunt |url=https://worldwidetune.com/ian-lyon-classical-singer |access-date=1 September 2023 |work=World Wide Tune |date=13 July 2022 |archive-date=1 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230901130215/https://worldwidetune.com/ian-lyon-classical-singer |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/lifestyle/esmagazine/all-aboard-with-penny-mordaunt-10023878.html |title=All aboard with Penny Mordaunt |work=Evening Standard |last=Fishwick |first=Samuel |date=6 February 2015 |access-date=22 July 2019 |archive-date=21 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190721115937/https://www.standard.co.uk/lifestyle/esmagazine/all-aboard-with-penny-mordaunt-10023878.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Mordaunt's hobbies include [[astronomy]], painting, dance and music.<ref name=":0">{{cite news |title=Allison Pearson: It is perfectly clear that Penny Mordaunt must be our next prime minister |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2022/07/10/allison-pearson-perfectly-clear-penny-mordaunt-must-next-prime/ |website=[[The Daily Telegraph]] |date=10 July 2022 |access-date=13 July 2022 |last1=Pearson |first1=Allison |archive-date=12 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220712211624/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2022/07/10/allison-pearson-perfectly-clear-penny-mordaunt-must-next-prime/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=":1" /><ref name="ageuk"/> She owns four [[Burmese cat]]s.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/09/15/penny-mordaunt-brings-her-own-cat-to-westminster-office-in-order/|title=Westminster mouse infestation so bad MP Penny Mordaunt brings her own pedigree cat to office|first=Helena|last=Horton|date=15 September 2016|access-date=14 July 2022|work=The Daily Telegraph|archive-date=14 July 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220714020419/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/09/15/penny-mordaunt-brings-her-own-cat-to-westminster-office-in-order/|url-status=live}}</ref> Following the [[Russian invasion of Ukraine]], she took a Ukrainian refugee into her home.<ref>{{cite news |title=Why I took a Ukrainian refugee into my home |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2022/07/16/why-took-ukrainian-refugee-home/ |website=[[The Daily Telegraph]] |date=16 July 2022 |access-date=19 July 2022 |last1=Mordaunt |first1=Penny |archive-date=18 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220718171757/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2022/07/16/why-took-ukrainian-refugee-home/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In July 2022, [[Hampshire Police]] said they were investigating death threats sent to Mordaunt. She strengthened her security after a letter was sent to her constituency office threatening to shoot a bullet in her head and kill all her family.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-hampshire-62292971|title=Police probe death threats to Portsmouth MP Penny Mordaunt|date=25 July 2022|work=BBC News|access-date=27 July 2022|archive-date=27 July 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220727221504/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-hampshire-62292971|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.portsmouth.co.uk/news/crime/police-probe-death-threat-to-penny-mordaunt-who-was-told-she-would-be-shot-in-the-head-and-her-family-killed-if-she-didnt-quit-as-mp-during-tory-leadership-race-3780007|title=Penny Mordaunt told she'd be 'shot in the head and family killed' if she did not quit as MP in Tory leadership race|date=24 July 2022|work=portsmouth.co.uk|access-date=27 July 2022|archive-date=27 July 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220727221505/https://www.portsmouth.co.uk/news/crime/police-probe-death-threat-to-penny-mordaunt-who-was-told-she-would-be-shot-in-the-head-and-her-family-killed-if-she-didnt-quit-as-mp-during-tory-leadership-race-3780007|url-status=live}}</ref>
Mordaunt has been a member of the [[British Astronomical Association]],<ref>{{cite web |title=Penny Mordaunt's appointment applauded in Britain |url=https://www.sundayguardianlive.com/world/11610-penny-mordaunt-s-appointment-applauded-britain |website=[[The Sunday Guardian]] |date=11 November 2017 |access-date=13 July 2022 |archive-date=13 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220713104119/https://www.sundayguardianlive.com/world/11610-penny-mordaunt-s-appointment-applauded-britain |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Penny Mordaunt – British Astronomical Association |url=https://britastro.org/forums/topic/penny-mordaunt |access-date=16 July 2022 |language=en-GB |archive-date=16 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220716075500/https://britastro.org/forums/topic/penny-mordaunt |url-status=live }}</ref> and, {{As of|2013|lc=y}}, was chair of the [[Wymering Manor]] Trust in Portsmouth.<ref>{{cite news |last=Stafford |first=Stephen |title=Volunteers' hopes for 'haunted' Wymering Manor |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-21355760 |work=BBC News |date=15 February 2013 |access-date=15 July 2014 |archive-date=18 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190518142046/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-21355760 |url-status=live }}</ref> She ran the League of Friends visiting team at the [[Queen Alexandra Hospital]] in [[Portsmouth]] for eight years.<ref name="ageuk"/> She is also a patron of the [[Music Man Project]], a charity that provides musical opportunities to people with learning disabilities.<ref>{{cite web |title=Order, Order! |url=https://themusicmanproject.com/2024/03/25/order-order/ |website=The Music Man Project UK |access-date=26 October 2024 |date=25 March 2024 |quote=our patron the Rt Hon Penny Mordaunt }}</ref> Following the [[Russian invasion of Ukraine]], she took a Ukrainian refugee into her home.<ref>{{cite news |title=Why I took a Ukrainian refugee into my home |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2022/07/16/why-took-ukrainian-refugee-home/ |website=[[The Daily Telegraph]] |date=16 July 2022 |access-date=19 July 2022 |last1=Mordaunt |first1=Penny |archive-date=18 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220718171757/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2022/07/16/why-took-ukrainian-refugee-home/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
Mordaunt met Paul Murray as a student at the [[University of Reading]] and married him in 1999, but they divorced the following year.<ref>{{cite news |first=Iain |last=Dale |url=https://www.thetimes.co.uk/magazine/the-sunday-times-magazine/penny-mordaunt-interview-britains-first-female-defence-secretary-on-her-dream-job-7rswjfbbr |title=Penny Mordaunt interview: Britain's first female defence secretary on her dream job |work=The Sunday Times |date=21 July 2019 |access-date=22 July 2019 |url-access=subscription |archive-date=21 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190721131540/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/magazine/the-sunday-times-magazine/penny-mordaunt-interview-britains-first-female-defence-secretary-on-her-dream-job-7rswjfbbr |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first=Iain |last=Dale |url=https://www.iaindale.com/articles/the-penny-mordaunt-profile-long-read-version |title=Penny Mordaunt interview: Britain's first female defence secretary on her dream job |date=21 July 2019 |access-date=13 July 2022 |archive-date=10 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220710041253/https://www.iaindale.com/articles/the-penny-mordaunt-profile-long-read-version |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2016, she ended her relationship with businessman Ian Lyon, a part-time classical singer and [[2015 Portsmouth City Council election|Portsmouth City Council Councillor]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Dahal |first1=Anish |title=Meet The Classical Singer Ian Lyon Who Is Popular As The Partner Of MP Penny Mordaunt |url=https://worldwidetune.com/ian-lyon-classical-singer |access-date=1 September 2023 |work=World Wide Tune |date=13 July 2022 |archive-date=1 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230901130215/https://worldwidetune.com/ian-lyon-classical-singer |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/lifestyle/esmagazine/all-aboard-with-penny-mordaunt-10023878.html |title=All aboard with Penny Mordaunt |work=Evening Standard |last=Fishwick |first=Samuel |date=6 February 2015 |access-date=22 July 2019 |archive-date=21 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190721115937/https://www.standard.co.uk/lifestyle/esmagazine/all-aboard-with-penny-mordaunt-10023878.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Mordaunt's hobbies include [[astronomy]], painting, dance and music.<ref name=":0">{{cite news |title=Allison Pearson: It is perfectly clear that Penny Mordaunt must be our next prime minister |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2022/07/10/allison-pearson-perfectly-clear-penny-mordaunt-must-next-prime/ |website=[[The Daily Telegraph]] |date=10 July 2022 |access-date=13 July 2022 |last1=Pearson |first1=Allison |archive-date=12 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220712211624/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2022/07/10/allison-pearson-perfectly-clear-penny-mordaunt-must-next-prime/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=":1" /><ref name="ageuk"/> She owns four [[Burmese cat]]s.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/09/15/penny-mordaunt-brings-her-own-cat-to-westminster-office-in-order/|title=Westminster mouse infestation so bad MP Penny Mordaunt brings her own pedigree cat to office|first=Helena|last=Horton|date=15 September 2016|access-date=14 July 2022|work=The Daily Telegraph|archive-date=14 July 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220714020419/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/09/15/penny-mordaunt-brings-her-own-cat-to-westminster-office-in-order/|url-status=live}}</ref> In July 2022, [[Hampshire Police]] said they were investigating death threats sent to Mordaunt. She strengthened her security after a letter was sent to her constituency office threatening to shoot a bullet in her head and kill all her family.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-hampshire-62292971|title=Police probe death threats to Portsmouth MP Penny Mordaunt|date=25 July 2022|work=BBC News|access-date=27 July 2022|archive-date=27 July 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220727221504/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-hampshire-62292971|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.portsmouth.co.uk/news/crime/police-probe-death-threat-to-penny-mordaunt-who-was-told-she-would-be-shot-in-the-head-and-her-family-killed-if-she-didnt-quit-as-mp-during-tory-leadership-race-3780007|title=Penny Mordaunt told she'd be 'shot in the head and family killed' if she did not quit as MP in Tory leadership race|date=24 July 2022|work=portsmouth.co.uk|access-date=27 July 2022|archive-date=27 July 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220727221505/https://www.portsmouth.co.uk/news/crime/police-probe-death-threat-to-penny-mordaunt-who-was-told-she-would-be-shot-in-the-head-and-her-family-killed-if-she-didnt-quit-as-mp-during-tory-leadership-race-3780007|url-status=live}}</ref>


==Decorations==
==Decorations==
*[[File:Coronation of Charles III Medal ribbon.png|45px]] : [[King Charles III Coronation Medal]]
* [[File:Coronation of Charles III Medal ribbon.png|45px]] : [[King Charles III Coronation Medal]]


==Publications==
==Publications==
*''Greater: Britain After the Storm'' (with Chris Lewis, 2021) {{ISBN|9781785906091}}
* ''Greater: Britain After the Storm'' (with Chris Lewis, 2021) {{ISBN|9781785906091}}


== References ==
== References ==
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{{Commons category}}
{{Commons category}}
{{Wikiquote}}
{{Wikiquote}}
*[http://www.pennymordaunt.com/ Official website]
* [http://www.pennymordaunt.com/ Official website]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20140221012408/http://www.conservatives.com/People/Members_of_Parliament/Mordaunt_Penny.aspx Penny Mordaunt] at the Conservative Party{{UK MP links| parliament = penny-mordaunt/4017 | hansardcurr = <!-- 5714 --> | guardian = 9333/penny-mordaunt | publicwhip = Penny_Mordaunt | theywork = penny_mordaunt | record = Penny-Mordaunt/Portsmouth-North/1070 | bbc = 35429.stm | journalisted }}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20140221012408/http://www.conservatives.com/People/Members_of_Parliament/Mordaunt_Penny.aspx Penny Mordaunt] at the Conservative Party{{UK MP links| parliament = penny-mordaunt/4017 | hansardcurr = <!-- 5714 --> | guardian = 9333/penny-mordaunt | publicwhip = Penny_Mordaunt | theywork = penny_mordaunt | record = Penny-Mordaunt/Portsmouth-North/1070 | bbc = 35429.stm | journalisted }}
*{{C-SPAN|98466}}
* {{C-SPAN|98466}}


{{Navboxes top
{{Navboxes top
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{{Truss Cabinet}}
{{Truss Cabinet}}
{{Sunak Cabinet}}
{{Sunak Cabinet}}
{{July–September 2022 Conservative Party leadership election}}
{{2022 Conservative Party leadership elections}}
{{South East Conservative Party MPs}}
{{Officers of the Lords and Commons}}
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{{Authority control}}


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[[Category:Members of the Privy Council of the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Members of the Privy Council of the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:United Kingdom Paymasters General]]
[[Category:United Kingdom Paymasters General]]
[[Category:Ministers for Women and Equalities]]
[[Category:Ministers for women and equalities]]
[[Category:Royal Navy officers]]
[[Category:Royal Navy officers]]
[[Category:Secretaries of State for Defence (UK)]]
[[Category:Secretaries of State for Defence (UK)]]

Latest revision as of 09:09, 11 November 2024

Penny Mordaunt
Official portrait, 2022
Leader of the House of Commons
Lord President of the Council
In office
6 September 2022 – 5 July 2024
Prime MinisterLiz Truss
Rishi Sunak
Preceded byMark Spencer
Succeeded byLucy Powell
Secretary of State for Defence
In office
1 May 2019 – 24 July 2019
Prime MinisterTheresa May
Preceded byGavin Williamson
Succeeded byBen Wallace
Secretary of State for International Development
In office
9 November 2017 – 1 May 2019
Prime MinisterTheresa May
Preceded byPriti Patel
Succeeded byRory Stewart
Minister for Women and Equalities
In office
30 April 2018 – 24 July 2019
Prime MinisterTheresa May
Preceded byAmber Rudd
Succeeded byAmber Rudd
Junior ministerial offices
Minister of State for Trade Policy
In office
16 September 2021 – 6 September 2022
Prime MinisterBoris Johnson
Preceded byGreg Hands
Succeeded byConor Burns
Paymaster General
In office
13 February 2020 – 16 September 2021
Prime MinisterBoris Johnson
Preceded byOliver Dowden
Succeeded byMichael Ellis
Minister of State for Disabled People, Work and Health
In office
15 July 2016 – 9 November 2017
Prime MinisterTheresa May
Preceded byJustin Tomlinson
Succeeded bySarah Newton
Minister of State for the Armed Forces
In office
11 May 2015 – 15 July 2016
Prime MinisterDavid Cameron
Preceded byMark François
Succeeded byMike Penning
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government
In office
14 July 2014 – 11 May 2015
Prime MinisterDavid Cameron
Preceded byNick Boles
Succeeded byJames Wharton
Member of Parliament
for Portsmouth North
In office
6 May 2010 – 30 May 2024
Preceded bySarah McCarthy-Fry
Succeeded byAmanda Martin
Personal details
Born
Penelope Mary Mordaunt

(1973-03-04) 4 March 1973 (age 51)
Torquay, Devon, England
Political partyConservative
Spouse
Paul Murray
(m. 1999; div. 2000)
Alma materUniversity of Reading (BA)
Signature
Websitepennymordaunt.com
Military service
Allegiance United Kingdom
Branch/service Royal Navy
Years of service2010–2019[1]
RankActing Sub-Lieutenant
(Honorary Captain)
UnitRoyal Naval Reserve

Penelope Mary "Penny" Mordaunt (/ˈmɔːrdənt/; born 4 March 1973) is a former British Conservative politician who served as Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons from 2022 until 2024. She was the Member of Parliament (MP) for Portsmouth North from 2010 to 2024. She ran twice for the Conservative party leadership in July–September and October 2022, losing to Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak respectively. In the 2024 general election, Mordaunt lost her Portsmouth North seat to Labour's Amanda Martin.

Mordaunt read philosophy at the University of Reading, before working in the public relations industry. She held roles under Conservative Party leaders John Major and William Hague, and also worked for George W. Bush's presidential campaigns in 2000 and 2004. Mordaunt was elected to the House of Commons at the 2010 general election. Under the coalition government of David Cameron, she served as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Decentralisation from 2014 to 2015. After the 2015 general election, Cameron promoted her to Minister of State for the Armed Forces, the first woman to hold the post. Mordaunt supported Brexit in the 2016 referendum on EU membership. Following Theresa May's appointment as prime minister, Mordaunt was appointed Minister of State for Disabled People, Work and Health. In 2017, following the resignation of Priti Patel, she was appointed Secretary of State for International Development. She also served as Minister for Women and Equalities from 2018 to 2019.

In May 2019, Mordaunt was appointed to the Cabinet position of Secretary of State for Defence, replacing Gavin Williamson, becoming the first woman to hold the post. She served as Defence Secretary for 85 days before returning to the backbenches, having been removed from office by the new prime minister Boris Johnson. In the February 2020 reshuffle, she re-entered government as Paymaster General. In the 2021 reshuffle, she was appointed Minister of State for Trade Policy.

Following Johnson's announcement in July 2022 that he would resign as Leader of the Conservative Party and prime minister, Mordaunt entered the leadership contest to succeed him, but was eliminated in the final round of voting among Conservative MPs and subsequently endorsed Truss. Mordaunt was appointed as Leader of the House of Commons and Lord President of the Council when Truss became prime minister. Following Truss's resignation on 20 October 2022, Mordaunt made a second bid to become Conservative leader and prime minister. She pulled out of the election after being unable to gain the necessary endorsement of 100 MPs, allowing Sunak to become Conservative Leader and prime minister unopposed. Sunak later retained Mordaunt in his cabinet, continuing as Leader of the House of Commons and Lord President, giving her a notable role at the coronation of Charles III and Camilla. In the 2024 general election, Mordaunt was one of many high-profile Conservative members of parliament who lost their seats in Labour’s landslide victory, alongside Liz Truss, Grant Shapps, Jacob Rees-Mogg and Johnny Mercer.[2]

Early life and education

[edit]

Penelope Mordaunt was born on 4 March 1973[3][4][5][6] in Torquay, Devon.[7] The daughter of a former paratrooper, she says that she was named after HMS Penelope.[8] Her father, John Mordaunt, born at Hilsea Barracks, served in the Parachute Regiment before retraining as a teacher, and later became a youth worker for Hampshire County Council.[9] Her mother, Jennifer (née Snowden), was a special needs teacher at schools in Purbrook.[9] Through her mother she is a relative of Philip Snowden, the first Labour Chancellor of the Exchequer.[10] The actress Dame Angela Lansbury was her grandmother's cousin,[11][12] thus she is distantly related to former Labour Party leader George Lansbury.[13]

Mordaunt has two brothers: her twin, James,[14] and a younger brother, Edward.[15] She was educated at Oaklands Roman Catholic School in Waterlooville, Hampshire, and studied drama at the Victoryland Theatre School.[16] Mordaunt was 15 when her mother died of breast cancer and after leaving school, she became her younger brother Edward's primary caregiver. The following year her father was also diagnosed with cancer, from which he recovered. To support her time at university Mordaunt worked in a Johnson & Johnson factory, and became a magician's assistant to Will Ayling, a past president of the Portsmouth and District Magic Circle and of the British Ring of the International Brotherhood of Magicians.[17]

Mordaunt has attributed her interest in politics to her experiences whilst working in hospitals and orphanages of Romania in the aftermath of the 1989 revolution.[18] Mordaunt read philosophy at the University of Reading, graduating in 1995 with upper second class honours. Although her parents had both undertaken further education, Mordaunt was the first member of her family to attend university.[15] Mordaunt was active in student politics and served as president of the Reading University Students' Union.[19]

Early professional career

[edit]

After graduation, Mordaunt worked in public relations in various sectors. Under Prime Minister John Major she was Head of Youth for the Conservative Party, before working for two years as Head of Broadcasting for the Conservatives under party leader William Hague (1999–2001).[5][15] She worked as a communications specialist for the Freight Transport Association (now Logistics UK) from 1997 to 1999. In 2000, she worked briefly as Head of Foreign Press for George W. Bush's presidential campaign.[20][21]

She was Communications Director for the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea from 2001 to 2003, before leaving to set up a new Anglo-American website called 'virtualconservatives'.[22][15] Lord Moylan, who was Deputy Leader of Kensington and Chelsea Council where Mordaunt was hired as a Director of Communications, said: "We had to get rid of her after a few months because she was incompetent."[23]

From 2004 to 2006, she was a director of Media Intelligence Partners.[5] Mordaunt worked again for the Bush campaign in 2004.[24] She was a director at the Community Fund, which merged with the New Opportunities Fund to create the Big Lottery Fund, and created the Veterans Reunited programme, enabling service men and women to visit World War II battlefields and be involved in commemorative events.[9] Mordaunt worked for the Big Lottery Fund from 2003 to 2005.[5] In 2006, she became one of six directors at charity Diabetes UK, a role she held until 2009.[5][25][26]

Entry into parliament

[edit]

In November 2003, Mordaunt was selected as the Conservative candidate to contest Portsmouth North in the 2005 general election. She attained a 5.5% swing towards the Conservatives,[15] but lost to Labour candidate Sarah McCarthy-Fry by 1,139 votes.[27] A critic of women-only shortlists,[28][29] Mordaunt worked after the 2005 election as chief of staff for David Willetts's aborted leadership campaign.[30] Mordaunt was re-selected in January 2006 to contest Portsmouth North at the 2010 general election.[15] At the election, she won the seat with an 8.6% swing from Labour, giving her a 7,289 majority. After her election in 2010, she became a member of the Public Bill Committee for the Defence Reform Act 2014.[31] In Parliament, she has also previously sat on the Privacy and Injunctions (Joint Committee), the Defence Committee, the European Scrutiny Committee and the Committees on Arms Export Controls (formerly Quadripartite Committee).[32]

In 2014, Mordaunt proposed the Loyal Address in reply to the Queen's Speech from the throne.[33][34] When receiving the Speech of the Year award at The Spectator magazine's Parliamentarian of the Year Awards in November 2014, Mordaunt said that she had delivered a speech in the House of Commons just before the Easter recess in 2013 on poultry welfare so as to use the word "cock", as a forfeit for a misdemeanour during Naval Reserve training.[35][36] She used the word "cock" six times and "lay" or "laid" five times. Following her comments, she was accused by Labour MP Kate Hoey of trivialising parliament.[37] At the 2015 general election, Mordaunt was re-elected as the MP for Portsmouth North with an increased majority of 10,537.[38] She was re-elected at the 2017 general election with a decreased majority of 9,965,[39] but at the 2019 general election she increased her majority to 15,780, where she won 61.4% of the vote.[40] In February 2024, Mordaunt was re-selected as the Conservative candidate for Portsmouth North at the 2024 general election.[41]

Ministerial career

[edit]

Mordaunt was appointed Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Decentralisation at the Department for Communities and Local Government by Prime Minister David Cameron in the 2014 cabinet reshuffle.[11][42] During her tenure, she was accused by the Fire Brigades Union "of misleading MPs over assurances given to firefighters from fire authorities regarding what would happen to their pensions if they fail fitness tests". This dispute led to strike action by firefighters over the increase of retirement age.[43]

Mordaunt was appointed Minister of State for the Armed Forces in May 2015, becoming the first woman to hold the post.[44] Major Robert Campbell, who was investigated and exonerated over the death of an Iraqi in 2003, criticised Mordaunt for backing the Iraq Historic Allegations Team while she was Armed Forces Minister, stating: "Now she is depicting herself as the armed forces champion but she never did anything for me. She needs to apologise for how we were treated. She failed us as the armed forces champion."[45] In July 2016, following Theresa May's appointment as prime minister, Mordaunt was appointed Minister of State for Disabled People, Work and Health at the Department for Work and Pensions.

Secretary of State for International Development: 2017–2019

[edit]
Mordaunt on a visit to Kutupalong in Bangladesh in November 2017

Mordaunt was promoted to the Cabinet as Secretary of State for International Development by Prime Minister Theresa May on 9 November 2017, after Priti Patel resigned.[46] In February 2018, an investigation by The Times newspaper revealed allegations of misconduct by Oxfam staff operating in Haiti, in the aftermath of the 2010 earthquake. Mordaunt argued that Oxfam, which had received £32 million in Government funds in the previous financial year, had failed in its "moral leadership" over the scandal. She also said that Oxfam did "absolutely the wrong thing" by not reporting the detail of the allegations to the Government. Mordaunt felt it was important for aid organisations to report offences because she suspected that there were paedophiles "targeting" the charity sector in order to carry out predatory activities.[47]

Minister for Women and Equalities: 2018–2019

[edit]

Mordaunt became Minister for Women and Equalities in April 2018, replacing Amber Rudd, who had resigned following the Windrush scandal.[48] In July 2018 she became the first minister to use sign language in the House of Commons, to applause from all sides.[49] In March 2019, she was criticised in a newspaper article by Maya Forstater, who claimed she had not answered to Mumsnet users' satisfaction questions on sex and gender during a webchat held on International Women's Day.[50]

Secretary of State for Defence: 2019

[edit]
Mordaunt in 2019

On 1 May 2019, Mordaunt was appointed as the first female Secretary of State for Defence following the dismissal of Gavin Williamson.[51] After Boris Johnson was elected Conservative Leader and appointed prime minister, he sacked Mordaunt as Defence Secretary, thus she left the Government on 24 July 2019.[52] Mordaunt had been a prominent supporter of Johnson's opponent, Jeremy Hunt, in the 2019 Conservative Party leadership election.[53][54]

Re-entry into Government

[edit]

In a cabinet reshuffle in February 2020, Mordaunt re-entered the Government, joining the Cabinet Office as Paymaster General in succession to Oliver Dowden.[55] She was the UK alternate co-chair of the EU Withdrawal Agreement Joint Committee.[56] She was appointed Minister of State for Trade Policy in the 2021 cabinet reshuffle.[57] Lord Frost was critical of her time as his deputy in the Brexit negotiations, saying he had "grave reservations" about her being prime minister and that "she did not master the detail that was necessary when we were in negotiations".[58][59]

Leader of the House of Commons: 2022–2024

[edit]
Mordaunt, as Lord President of the Council, arriving at the Accession Council of King Charles III

On 6 September 2022, Mordaunt was appointed Leader of the House of Commons and Lord President of the Council. Four days later, as Lord President of the Council, she presided over the Accession Council ceremony of King Charles III.[60] During a debate in the House of Commons, Mordaunt deputised for Liz Truss to receive questions from Leader of the Labour Party Sir Keir Starmer. After Truss resigned and was succeeded by Rishi Sunak a month later, Mordaunt remained Leader of the House of Commons and Lord President of the Council.

On 6 May 2023, Mordaunt participated in the coronation of Charles III and Camilla, presenting the Jewelled Sword of Offering, in her ceremonial role as Lord President of the Privy Council and bearer of the Sword of State.[61] She became the first woman ever to fulfil the role. Instead of the traditional court dress,[62] Mordaunt commissioned her outfit, which included teal-shade cape dress and headpiece both embroidered with golden ferns.[63] Mordaunt's outfit and overall performance in carrying the heavy Sword of State went viral online,[64] receiving praise from both benches of the Parliament.[65] Mordaunt attributed her strength to her previous navy training,[66] while disclosing that she took painkillers before the ceremony.[67]

In May 2024, before the 2024 general election, Mordaunt's office produced a guide warning that conspiracy theories 'can pose a danger to democracy',[68] which included the '15-minute cities' conspiracy theory that had been quoted by some Conservatives. During the election campaign, Mordaunt attended a BBC debate hosted by Mishal Husain which took place on 7 June, and also included Nigel Farage, Carla Denyer, Rhun ap Iorwerth, Daisy Cooper, Stephen Flynn and Angela Rayner.[69] The debate included exchanges between Mordaunt and Rayner over Labour's tax plans, and all the attendees criticised Sunak leaving the D-Day events early; Mordaunt said Sunak's choice to leave prematurely had been "completely wrong."[70][71] Another debate between these leaders took place on 13 June, with Julie Etchingham as moderator.[72] The debate included further exchanges between Mordaunt and Rayner over Labour's tax plans.[73]

In the 2024 general election, Mordaunt lost her Portsmouth North seat to Labour candidate Amanda Martin. Mordaunt was one of many high-profile Conservative politicians who lost their seats in Labour’s landslide victory, alongside Liz Truss, Grant Shapps, Jacob Rees-Mogg and Johnny Mercer.[2]

Conservative leadership bids

[edit]

July–September 2022

[edit]
Mordaunt's 2022 leadership logo

In July 2022, following the resignation of Boris Johnson during the July 2022 government crisis, Mordaunt launched her bid to be the next Conservative Leader and consequently UK Prime Minister.[74][75] An early promotional video published by her campaign attracted criticism for featuring footage of former professional sprinter Oscar Pistorius, who murdered his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp in 2013.[75][76][77] Athlete Jonnie Peacock requested to be removed from the same video published by her campaign.[78][79] Mordaunt's campaign edited the video to remove footage of Peacock and Pistorius,[76] and later issued a third edition of the video with a short clip of the murdered Labour MP Jo Cox removed, following a request from Cox's family.[80]

In 2018, Mordaunt, the then Women and Equalities Minister, told MPs that "trans men are men, trans women are women" at the launch of a consultation on reforming the Gender Recognition Act.[81] Several Conservative activists criticised Mordaunt "for her pro-trans stance" according to reports by the Daily Telegraph published on 8 July 2022 the day after Boris Johnson's resignation as Conservative party leader.[82] On the following day, shortly before she launched her bid for the leadership of the Conservative party, Mordaunt responded to the question "Do I know what a woman is?" by writing on Twitter: "I am biologically a woman. If I have a hysterectomy or mastectomy, I am still a woman. And I am legally a woman. Some people born male and who have been through the gender recognition process are also legally female. That DOES NOT mean they are biological women, like me."[83] The Spectator noted Mordaunt's earlier stance on trans issues, and was critical of what it called her "cowardice" in changing her publicly stated views, being "willing to toss them overboard at her earliest convenience" during her leadership campaign.[84][85] The Times described her as a "socially liberal Brexiteer".[86]

Mordaunt was one of eight contenders who achieved the necessary 20 nominations by 12 July deadline. Three other candidates had to drop out earlier that day.[87] On 20 July, Mordaunt was eliminated from the fifth round of the leadership competition after failing to secure sufficient support from Conservative MPs.[74] On 1 August 2022, Mordaunt declared her support for Liz Truss in the final round of the leadership contest.[88]

October 2022

[edit]
Mordaunt meeting with Rishi Sunak

Following the resignation of Truss during the October 2022 government crisis, Mordaunt declared she would seek nomination in the ensuing Conservative Party leadership election. However, after only 27 MPs publicly backed her nomination, she pulled out of the election, allowing Rishi Sunak to become Leader unopposed. She tweeted her withdrawal two minutes before the 2pm deadline on 24 October, by which candidates needed to have 100 nominations, and then issued a statement. Mordaunt was later re-appointed to her role by Sunak.[89][90]

Military service

[edit]

Mordaunt was a member of the Royal Naval Reserve from 2010 until 2019.[1] From 2010 until 2015, she served as an acting sub-lieutenant (a subordinate officer without a commission), and was based at shore establishment HMS King Alfred on Whale Island, Portsmouth.[91][92] In May 2015 she was placed onto Reserve 'List 6',[1] a category for personnel unable to meet any training commitment in excess of a year;[93] she had "no annual training commitment and received no remuneration" from the Royal Navy during this time.[1] She remained on List 6 until April 2019, at which point she left the RNR.[1] Mordaunt was granted the honorary rank of commander in April 2019,[94] and then promoted to honorary captain RNR on 30 June 2021.[95]

Views and activities

[edit]

Splash! appearance

[edit]

In 2014, Mordaunt appeared on reality television programme Splash!. Although her Labour opponents criticised the media appearance, questioning whether her focus should instead have been on her constituency work,[96] Mordaunt stated that the response was overwhelmingly positive and defended her appearance,[97] stating that she was donating all of her £10,000 appearance fee plus any additional sponsorship to charity: £7,000 towards the renovation of her local lido and the rest to four armed services charities.[98]

Brexit

[edit]

In the 2016 United Kingdom European Union membership referendum, Mordaunt supported Brexit.[99] During the referendum campaign, Mordaunt said the United Kingdom did not have a veto to Turkey joining the European Union.[100] Given this is a provision of the Treaty on European Union, Mordaunt was accused of 'lying' over the matter.[101][102] When challenged about her claim, Mordaunt said: "There is a provision for a veto but we could not have used it because David Cameron gave an undertaking that he would support their accession and having given that undertaking to a NATO country, he would not have been able to walk away."[103] She reiterated her defence of her 2016 comments during her Conservative Party leadership campaign in July 2022.[103]

Northern Ireland

[edit]

Mordaunt voted in favour of legalising same-sex marriage in Northern Ireland. She has said in the House of Commons that the Northern Ireland protocol creates unique disadvantages for Northern Ireland.[104]

Homeopathy

[edit]

Mordaunt has often advocated that the British National Health Service should fund the availability of homeopathy.[105][106] In 2010, she signed a Parliamentary Early Day Motion that claimed there was "overwhelming anecdotal evidence that homeopathy is effective" and called for the government to "maintain a policy of allowing health commissions to refer to homeopathic doctors and approved homeopaths".[105][107]

Muslim Council of Britain meeting

[edit]

Since 2009, Labour, the Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition and Conservative governments have maintained a policy of "non-engagement" with the Muslim Council of Britain due to allegations the group does not represent the British Muslim community and claims that members of the council had made 'favourable' remarks about extremists in the past.[108][109]

As Paymaster General, Mordaunt met with the Secretary General of the MCB, Zara Mohammed, which Alan Mendoza of the Henry Jackson Society described as "shocking". A Government spokesperson told The Jewish Chronicle: "The UK government has a long-standing policy of not engaging with the MCB and that has not changed."[108]

Royal yachts

[edit]

In June 2020, Mordaunt produced a proposal for a pair of ships with the primary role of specialising in trade, research, and humanitarian work. The vessels were to be funded by private, research, commercial and charitable funds, in partnership with the UK's Overseas Development Assistance budget. The vessels could also be used as "cost effective and secure" accommodation for members of the royal family on visits, so would effectively be successor to the Royal Yacht Britannia which had been decommissioned in 1997. Mordaunt said of it, “We know that industry would also support as would a growing coalition of commercial and trade ventures, research organisations, shipbuilders and ship support companies, maritime training organisations and medical and health projects”. The director of the Global Britain Programme at the Henry Jackson Society, said: "These new ships will help project Britain's image around the world".[110]

Vandalism of war memorials

[edit]

In June 2020, in response to vandalism of war memorials, Mordaunt stated: "I would like to suggest that for some found guilty of vandalising such memorials they might benefit from some time spent with our service personnel – perhaps at a battle camp. That might give them a new appreciation of just what these people go through for their sakes."[111]

Personal life

[edit]

Mordaunt has been a member of the British Astronomical Association,[112][113] and, as of 2013, was chair of the Wymering Manor Trust in Portsmouth.[114] She ran the League of Friends visiting team at the Queen Alexandra Hospital in Portsmouth for eight years.[9] She is also a patron of the Music Man Project, a charity that provides musical opportunities to people with learning disabilities.[115] Following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, she took a Ukrainian refugee into her home.[116]

Mordaunt met Paul Murray as a student at the University of Reading and married him in 1999, but they divorced the following year.[117][118] In 2016, she ended her relationship with businessman Ian Lyon, a part-time classical singer and Portsmouth City Council Councillor.[119][120] Mordaunt's hobbies include astronomy, painting, dance and music.[121][5][9] She owns four Burmese cats.[122] In July 2022, Hampshire Police said they were investigating death threats sent to Mordaunt. She strengthened her security after a letter was sent to her constituency office threatening to shoot a bullet in her head and kill all her family.[123][124]

Decorations

[edit]

Publications

[edit]
  • Greater: Britain After the Storm (with Chris Lewis, 2021) ISBN 9781785906091

References

[edit]
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