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{{Short description|British politician and barrister (born 1967)}}
{{EngvarB|date=May 2015}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2015}}
{{Use British English|date=November 2019}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2021}}
{{Infobox politician
{{Infobox officeholder
|name = Michael Ellis
| honorific_prefix = [[The Right Honourable]]
| honorific-suffix = {{Post-nominals|country=GBR|size=100%|MP}}
| image = Official portrait of Michael Ellis crop 2.jpg
| name = Sir Michael Ellis
| honorific-suffix = {{post-nominals|country=GBR|size=100%|KBE|KC}}
| office = [[Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport|Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State <br> at the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport]]
| image = Official portrait of Rt Hon Michael Ellis MP crop 2.jpg
| term_start = 9 January 2018
| caption = Official portrait, 2020
| term_end =
| office = [[Attorney General for England and Wales]]<br>[[Advocate General for Northern Ireland]]
| primeminister = [[Theresa May]]
| primeminister = [[Liz Truss]]
| predecessor = [[John Glen (politician)|John Glen]]
| predecessor = [[Suella Braverman]]
| successor =
| successor = [[Victoria Prentis]]
| office1 = [[Office of the Leader of the House of Commons|Deputy Leader of the House of Commons]]
| term_start = 6 September 2022
| term_start1 = 17 July 2016
| term_end = 25 October 2022
| term_end1 = 9 January 2018
| primeminister1 = [[Theresa May]]
| primeminister1 = [[Boris Johnson]]
| predecessor1 = Suella Braverman
| leader1 = [[David Lidington]]<br/>[[Andrea Leadsom]]
| successor1 = Suella Braverman
| predecessor1 = [[Therese Coffey]]
| term_start1 = 2 March 2021
| successor1 =
| term_end1 = 10 September 2021{{efn|In accordance with the [[Ministerial and other Maternity Allowances Act 2021]], Ellis temporarily served as Attorney General during Braverman's maternity leave.}}
| office2 = [[Parliamentary Private Secretary]] <br/> to the [[Home Secretary]]
| office2 = [[Minister for the Cabinet Office]]
| term_start2 = 23 June 2015
| primeminister2 = Boris Johnson
| term_end2 = 13 July 2016
| primeminister2 = [[David Cameron]]
| predecessor2 = [[Steve Barclay]]
| successor2 = [[Edward Argar]]
| 1blankname2 = Home Secretary
| term_start2 = 8 February 2022
| 1namedata2 = [[Theresa May]]
| term_end2 = 6 September 2022
| predecessor2 = [[George Hollingbery]]
| successor2 = [[David Rutley]]
| office3 = [[Paymaster General]]
| primeminister3 = Boris Johnson
| office3 = [[Member of Parliament (United Kingdom)|Member of Parliament]]<br>for [[Northampton North (UK Parliament constituency)|Northampton North]]
| term_start3 = 6 May 2010
| predecessor3 = [[Penny Mordaunt]]
| term_end3 =
| successor3 = Edward Argar
| predecessor3 = [[Sally Keeble]]
| term_start3 = 16 September 2021
| successor3 =
| term_end3 = 6 September 2022
| office4 = [[Solicitor General for England and Wales]]
| majority3 = 807 (2%)
| birth_name = Michael Tyrone Ellis
| primeminister4 = Boris Johnson
| predecessor4 = [[Lucy Frazer]]
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1967|10|13}}
| birth_place = [[Northampton]], England, UK
| successor4 = [[Alex Chalk]]
| death_date =
| term_start4 = 10 September 2021
| death_place =
| term_end4 = 16 September 2021
| primeminister5 = Boris Johnson
| party = [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative]]
| alma_mater = [[University of Buckingham]]<br>[[City Law School]]
| predecessor5 = [[Lucy Frazer]]
| website = {{url|michaelellis.co.uk|Official website}}
| successor5 = Lucy Frazer
| term_start5 = 26 July 2019
|1namedata=[[Matthew Hancock]]|1blankname=[[Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport|Sec. of State]]}}
| term_end5 = 2 March 2021
'''Michael Tyrone Ellis'''<ref>{{London Gazette |issue=59418 |date=13 May 2010 |page=8744}}</ref> {{post-nominals|country=GBR|MP}} (born 13 October 1967) is a [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative Party]] politician in the UK. He has been the [[Member of Parliament]] (MP) for the [[Northampton North (UK Parliament constituency)|Northampton North]] constituency since the [[United Kingdom general election, 2010|May 2010 general election]], and currently serves as [[Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State]] at the [[Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport]].
| office6 = [[Minister of State for Transport]]
| primeminister6 = [[Theresa May]]
| predecessor6 = [[Jesse Norman]]
| successor6 = [[Chris Heaton-Harris]]
| term_start6 = 23 May 2019
| term_end6 = 24 July 2019
| office7 = [[Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Arts, Heritage and Tourism]]
| term_start7 = 9 January 2018
| term_end7 = 23 May 2019
| primeminister7 = Theresa May
| predecessor7 = [[John Glen (politician)|John Glen]]
| successor7 = [[Rebecca Pow]]
| office8 = [[Deputy Leader of the House of Commons]]
| term_start8 = 17 July 2016
| term_end8 = 9 January 2018
| primeminister8 = Theresa May
| predecessor8 = [[Thérèse Coffey]]
| successor8 = Chris Heaton-Harris
| office9 = [[Member of Parliament (United Kingdom)|Member of Parliament]]<br />for [[Northampton North]]
| term_start9 = 6 May 2010
| term_end9 = 30 May 2024
| predecessor9 = [[Sally Keeble]]
| successor9 = [[Lucy Rigby]]
| birth_name = Michael Tyrone Ellis
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1967|10|13}}
| birth_place = [[Northampton]], England
| death_date =
| death_place =
| party = [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative]]
| alma_mater = [[University of Buckingham]]<br />[[City Law School]]
| website = {{oweb|michaelellis.co.uk}}
}}


'''Sir Michael Tyrone Ellis''' {{post-nominals|country=GBR|KBE|KC}} (born 13 October 1967) is a British politician and barrister who served as [[Attorney General for England and Wales]] between September and October 2022, having previously served in the position from March to September 2021 during the maternity leave of [[Suella Braverman]]. A member of the [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative Party]], he previously served as [[Paymaster General]] from 2021 to 2022 and as [[Minister for the Cabinet Office]] from February to September 2022. Ellis served as the [[Member of Parliament (United Kingdom)|Member of Parliament]] (MP) for [[Northampton North]] from [[2010 United Kingdom general election|2010]] to [[2024 United Kingdom general election|2024]].
==Early life==
Michael Ellis was born on 13 October 1967 to a [[British Jews|British Jewish]] family.<ref name="JC">{{cite news|title=New Jewish ministers and the Miliband rivalry|author= Jessica Elgot|newspaper=The Jewish Chronicle|url=http://www.thejc.com/news/uk-news/31823/new-jewish-ministers-and-miliband-rivalry|accessdate=9 May 2015}}</ref>


Ellis served in the [[First May ministry|May Government]] as [[Office of the Leader of the House of Commons|Deputy Leader of the House of Commons]] from 2016 to 2018, as [[Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Arts, Heritage and Tourism]] from 2018 to 2019, and as [[Minister of State for Transport]] from May to July 2019. When [[Boris Johnson]] became [[Prime Minister of the United Kingdom|Prime Minister]] in July 2019, he was appointed [[Solicitor General for England and Wales|Solicitor General]] and, in September 2019, he was appointed to the [[Privy Council of the United Kingdom|Privy Council]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Valerie Vaz is made an advisor to the Queen|date=17 September 2019 |url=https://www.expressandstar.com/news/politics/2019/09/17/valerie-vaz-is-made-an-advisor-to-the-queen/}}</ref> He also served as Acting Attorney General from March to September 2021 after [[Suella Braverman]] was designated as a [[Minister on Leave]]. On 15 September 2021, Ellis was appointed [[Paymaster General]] in Johnson's second cabinet reshuffle.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/ministerial-appointments-september-2021|title=Ministerial appointments: September 2021|work=GOV.UK|date=16 September 2021}}</ref> In February 2022, he was promoted by Johnson to [[Minister for the Cabinet Office]], a position with the right to attend Cabinet. Ellis was appointed Attorney General by [[Liz Truss]] on 6 September 2022, but was dismissed from the position by her successor, [[Rishi Sunak]], the following month.
He was educated at two independent schools: at [[Spratton#Spratton Hall Preparatory School|Spratton Hall Preparatory School]] and [[Wellingborough School]], followed by the independent [[University of Buckingham]], where he obtained an [[LLB]] degree in 1993, including [[First Class Honours]] in Public (Constitutional) Law and won the [[Aylesbury Vale District Council]] Chairman's Prize for the Best Performance in Public Law that year.<ref name="northamptonconservatives1">{{cite web|url=http://www.northamptonconservatives.com/index.php?sectionid=2&pagenumber=44 |title=Conservatives – Northampton Conservatives – Michael Ellis MP |publisher=Northampton Conservatives |date=23 August 2007 |accessdate= 6 June 2010}}</ref> At university, he was also a student editor of the ''Denning Law Journal''.<ref name="northamptonconservatives1"/> Whilst at university, Ellis undertook an exchange program in the United States at the [[College of William and Mary]], [[Marshall-Wythe School of Law]] in [[Williamsburg, Virginia]].<ref name="northamptonconservatives1"/>


==Early life and career==
After attending the [[Inns of Court School of Law]] in London, Ellis was called to the Bar at [[Middle Temple]] in 1993.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.clarendonchambers.com/Barristers/MichaelEllis.aspx |title=Michael Ellis |publisher=Clarendonchambers.com |date= |accessdate=6 June 2010}}</ref>


Michael Ellis was born in Northampton on 13 October 1967 to a [[British Jewish]] family.<ref name="JC">{{cite news|title=New Jewish ministers and the Miliband rivalry|author= Jessica Elgot|newspaper=The Jewish Chronicle|url=http://www.thejc.com/news/uk-news/31823/new-jewish-ministers-and-miliband-rivalry|date=14 May 2010|access-date=9 May 2015}}</ref> He was privately educated at two independent schools: [[Spratton Hall School]], a preparatory school in the village of [[Spratton]] in [[Northamptonshire]], and at [[Wellingborough School]], in the town of [[Wellingborough]]. He went on to study at the private [[University of Buckingham]], where he obtained an [[upper-second class]] [[LL.B]]. degree in 1993, and won the [[Aylesbury Vale District Council]] Chairman's Prize for the Best Performance in Public Law that year.<ref name="northamptonconservatives1">{{cite web|url=http://www.northamptonconservatives.com/index.php?sectionid=2&pagenumber=44 |title=Conservatives – Northampton Conservatives – Michael Ellis MP |publisher=Northampton Conservatives |date=23 August 2007 |access-date= 6 June 2010}}</ref>
== Legal and political career ==
Ellis's legal practice as a [[barrister]] was based in [[Northampton]], and his chambers' head office was in London.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.clarendonchambers.com/Home.aspx |title=Welcome to Clarendon Chambers |publisher=Clarendon Chambers |date= |accessdate=6 June 2010}}</ref>


At university, Ellis was also a student editor of the ''Denning Law Journal''.<ref name="northamptonconservatives1" /> Whilst at university, Ellis undertook an exchange programme in the United States at the [[College of William and Mary]], [[Marshall-Wythe School of Law]] in [[Williamsburg, Virginia]].<ref name="northamptonconservatives1" /> After attending the [[Inns of Court School of Law]] in London, he was called to the Bar at [[Middle Temple]] in 1993.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.clarendonchambers.com/Barristers/MichaelEllis.aspx |title=Michael Ellis |publisher=Clarendonchambers.com |access-date=6 June 2010}}</ref> His legal practice as a barrister was based in Northampton, and his chamber's head office was in London.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.clarendonchambers.com/Home.aspx |title=Welcome to Clarendon Chambers |publisher=Clarendon Chambers |access-date=6 June 2010}}</ref>
Ellis was elected as a Conservative Councillor on Northamptonshire County Council, representing the Park (now Parklands) Ward of Northampton North in 1997 and he served until the next election in 2001. At the time of his election he was the youngest County Councillor in Northamptonshire, at the age of 29.<ref>{{cite web|title=About Michael|url=http://www.michaelellis.co.uk/about-michael|accessdate=22 December 2014}}</ref>


==Political career==
Ellis became the Conservative parliamentary candidate for [[Northampton North (UK Parliament constituency)|Northampton North]] in December 2006 following a public vote in an [[open primary]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.northamptonnorthconservatives.com/index.php?sectionid=3&pagenumber=58 |title=Michael Ellis – The people's choice |publisher=Northampton North Conservatives |date=8 August 2007 |accessdate=6 June 2010}}</ref> The use of the open primary method, allowing party and non-party members the opportunity to attend a hustings and vote for an individual, has previously been an uncommon way of choosing parliamentary candidates in the British political system, however it became more widely used during 2009, particularly by the Conservative Party.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/surrey/8476464.stm |title=Tories pick Spelthorne candidate in primary |publisher=BBC News |date=23 January 2010 |accessdate=6 June 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8182833.stm |title=GP wins Tory 'open primary' race |publisher=BBC News |date=4 August 2009 |accessdate=6 June 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8194719.stm |title=We're the progressives – Osborne |publisher=BBC News |date=11 August 2009 |accessdate=6 June 2010}}</ref>


Ellis stood unsuccessfully as the Conservative candidate in the Park ward of [[Northampton Borough Council]] in 1995.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.electionscentre.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Northampton-1973-2011.pdf|title=Northampton Borough Council Election Results 1973-2011|publisher= Plymouth University|access-date=15 August 2018}}</ref> However, he was elected in 1997 as a Conservative councillor on [[Northamptonshire County Council]], representing the Northampton Park (now Parklands) Ward, winning the seat from his Labour Party rival by 44 votes. He served until the next election in May 2001, when he did not stand again.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.electionscentre.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Northamptonshire-County.pdf|title=Northamptonshire County Council Election Results 1973-2009|publisher= Plymouth University|access-date=15 August 2018}}</ref> At the time of his election he was the youngest county councillor in Northamptonshire, at the age of 29.<ref>{{cite web|title=About Michael|url=http://www.michaelellis.co.uk/about-michael|access-date=22 December 2014}}</ref>
== Member of Parliament ==
Ellis was elected to Parliament in the [[United Kingdom general election, 2010|6 May 2010 general election]] gaining the seat with a majority of 1,936 and 34.1% of the vote, defeating the sitting Labour MP, [[Sally Keeble]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/nol/shared/election2010/results/constituency/d35.stm |title=Election 2010 &#124; Constituency &#124; Northampton North |publisher=BBC News |date= |accessdate=6 June 2010}}</ref>


Ellis became the Conservative parliamentary candidate for [[Northampton North]] in December 2006. This followed a public vote in an [[open primary]], which was a relatively unusual selection mechanism at the time.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.northamptonnorthconservatives.com/index.php?sectionid=3&pagenumber=58 |title=Michael Ellis – The people's choice |publisher=Northampton North Conservatives |date=8 August 2007 |access-date=6 June 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/surrey/8476464.stm |title=Tories pick Spelthorne candidate in primary |publisher=BBC News |date=23 January 2010 |access-date=6 June 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8182833.stm |title=GP wins Tory 'open primary' race |publisher=BBC News |date=4 August 2009 |access-date=6 June 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8194719.stm |title=We're the progressives – Osborne |work=BBC News |date=11 August 2009 |access-date=6 June 2010}}</ref> Ellis was elected to Parliament in the [[2010 United Kingdom general election|6 May 2010 general election]] gaining the seat with a majority of 1,936 and 34.1% of the vote, defeating the sitting Labour MP.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/nol/shared/election2010/results/constituency/d35.stm |title=Election 2010 &#124; Constituency &#124; Northampton North |work=BBC News |access-date=6 June 2010}}</ref>
In February 2011, Ellis was elected by fellow members of parliament to membership of the House of Commons [[Home Affairs Select Committee]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Home Affairs Committee Membership|url=http://www.parliament.uk/business/committees/committees-a-z/commons-select/home-affairs-committee/membership/|publisher=UK Parliament|accessdate=20 June 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.parliament.uk/business/committees/committees-a-z/commons-select/home-affairs-committee/news/120424-drugs-oral-ev/ |title=Home Affairs Committee hears evidence from Russell Brand as part of drugs policy enquiry |publisher=UK Parliament|accessdate=28 September 2013}}</ref> He has been referred to by ''[[The Independent]]'' newspaper as being a member who asks his questions with “aggression “ and "all the gravitas of a prosecuting counsel".<ref>{{cite news|title=MPs question Guardian editor Alan Rusbridger's patriotism over Edward Snowden leaks|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/press/mps-question-guardian-editor-alan-rusbridgers-patriotism-over-edward-snowden-leaks-8981167.html|accessdate=22 December 2014|publisher=The Independent}}</ref>


He was also a member of the Joint Committee on the Draft Communications Data Bill during the 2012–13 Parliamentary session.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.parliament.uk/business/committees/committees-a-z/joint-select/draft-communications-bill/membership/ |title=Joint Committee on the Draft Communications Data Bill |publisher=UK Parliament |accessdate=28 September 2013}}</ref> Ellis was interviewed about this Bill with [[Jimmy Wales]], co-founder of Wikipedia, on the ''[[Daily Politics]]'' programme on 11 December 2012.<ref>{{cite web|title=BBC News Communications Data Bill: Jimmy Wales and Michael Ellis|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-20680724|publisher=BBC|accessdate=28 September 2013}}</ref>
In November 2010, Ellis established an All Party Group on the [[Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II|Queen's Diamond Jubilee]], which he chaired for the following three years.<ref>{{cite web|title=House of Commons – Register of All Party Groups|url=https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm/cmallparty/register/queens-diamond-jublilee.htm|publisher=UK Parliament|access-date=20 June 2011}}</ref> In this role, Ellis was responsible for organising a gift of a stained glass window of the Queen's coat of arms for the Queen from both [[Houses of Parliament]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Stained glass window to mark Queen's Diamond Jubilee|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-16470967|access-date=28 September 2013|work=BBC News|date=9 January 2012|last1=McGurran|first1=Deborah}}</ref>


In July 2010, he was first elected onto the Statutory Instruments (Joint Committee) and worked on the Draft Communications Data Bill during the 2012–13 Parliamentary session.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.parliament.uk/business/committees/committees-a-z/joint-select/draft-communications-bill/membership/ |title=Joint Committee on the Draft Communications Data Bill |publisher=UK Parliament |access-date=28 September 2013}}</ref> Ellis was interviewed about this Bill with [[Jimmy Wales]], co-founder of Wikipedia, on the ''[[Daily Politics]]'' programme on 11 December 2012.<ref>{{cite news|title=Communications Data Bill: Jimmy Wales and Michael Ellis|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-20680724|work=BBC News|date=11 December 2012|access-date=28 September 2013}}</ref> In February 2011, Ellis was first elected onto the [[House of Commons (United Kingdom)|House of Commons]] [[Home Affairs Select Committee]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Home Affairs Committee Membership|url=http://www.parliament.uk/business/committees/committees-a-z/commons-select/home-affairs-committee/membership/|publisher=UK Parliament|access-date=20 June 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.parliament.uk/business/committees/committees-a-z/commons-select/home-affairs-committee/news/120424-drugs-oral-ev/ |title=Home Affairs Committee hears evidence from Russell Brand as part of drugs policy enquiry |publisher=UK Parliament|access-date=28 September 2013}}</ref>
In November 2010, Ellis established an All Party Group on the [[Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II|Queen's Diamond Jubilee]], which he Chaired for the following three years.<ref>{{cite web|title=House of Commons – Register of All Party Groups|url=https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm/cmallparty/register/queens-diamond-jublilee.htm|publisher=UK Parliament|accessdate=20 June 2011}}</ref> In this role, Ellis was responsible for organising a gift for Queen Elizabeth II from both [[Palace of Westminster|Houses of Parliament]]. This was a stained glass window of The Queen's Coat of Arms, which was funded entirely by current members of parliament and Members of the House of Lords.<ref>{{cite web|title=BBC News – Stained glass window to mark Queen's Diamond Jubilee|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-16470967|publisher=BBC|accessdate=28 September 2013}}</ref> Ellis was also responsible for organising the planting of a Red Windsor apple tree on Speaker's Green at the Houses of Parliament. This was part of the Woodland Trust's Jubilee Woods project which planted six million trees around the United Kingdom during the Jubilee year.<ref>{{cite web|title=Jubilee Woods|url=http://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/en/jubilee-woods/latest-news/Pages/A-Parliament-tree-planting-for-the-Jubilee.aspx?source=/en/jubilee-woods/latest-news/Pages/LatestNews.aspx#.UkaIKRY3Dit|publisher=Woodland Trust|accessdate=28 September 2013}}</ref>


On 11 September 2013, Ellis introduced the [[Medical Innovation Bill|Medical Innovation (No.2) Bill]], a [[Private Members' Bills in the Parliament of the United Kingdom|private members bill]] to the House of Commons.<ref>{{cite web|title=Medical Innovation (No.2) Bill 2013–14|url=http://services.parliament.uk/bills/2013-14/medicalinnovationno2.html|publisher=UK Parliament|access-date=28 September 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Medical Innovation Bill [HL] 2012–13|url=http://services.parliament.uk/bills/2012-13/medicalinnovation.html|publisher=UK Parliament|access-date=28 September 2013}}</ref> The bill was designed to allow doctors more scope to innovate when treating cancer patients, but was criticised by a range of medical and legal bodies, patient groups and charities.<ref>{{cite news|work=The Guardian|date=19 November 2014|url=https://www.theguardian.com/science/brain-flapping/2014/nov/19/saatchi-bill-medical-innovation|title=Attacking critics is no way to fix the Saatchi bill|access-date=15 August 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Lord Maurice Saatchi Blames Lack of Cancer Cure on Legal 'Deterrent'|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2013/09/11/lord-saatchi-cancer_n_3905717.html|work=Huffington Post UK|access-date=28 September 2013|date=11 September 2013}}</ref> The bill was withdrawn after its first reading,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://services.parliament.uk/bills/2013-14/medicalinnovationno2.html|title=Medical Innovation (No. 2) Bill 2013–14|work=Parliament.uk|author=Michael Ellis|access-date=24 February 2014}}</ref> following an indication from the government that they would support it.<ref>{{cite web|title=Twitter / Michael Ellis|url=https://twitter.com/Michael_Ellis1/status/403927217367183360|publisher=Twitter|access-date=1 April 2014}}</ref> Although the Conservative MP [[Dan Poulter]] MP, who was Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department of Health, suggested in July 2014 that the Government was keen to support it, it failed to progress through the House of Commons after the Liberal Democrats declined to support it.<ref>{{cite web|title=Medical Treatments: Innovation|url=https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201415/cmhansrd/cm140721/text/140721w0006.htm#140721w0006.htm_wqn35|publisher=Houses of Parliament}}</ref>
On 25 September 2012, Ellis was appointed Parliamentary Adviser{{clarify|date=December 2014}} to [[Andrew Feldman, Baron Feldman of Elstree|Lord Feldman of Elstree]], the Conservative Party Co-Chairman.<ref>{{cite web|title=Twitter / ToryChairman|url=https://twitter.com/ToryChairman/status/250569487085084672|publisher=Twitter|accessdate=28 September 2013}}</ref>


In March 2014, the chancellor of the exchequer, [[George Osborne]] announced in the House of Commons during the Budget Speech that a campaign Ellis had been conducting to secure extra funds to reduce potholes had succeeded and that a £200&nbsp;million fund was being created to be distributed nationwide.<ref>{{cite news|work=Northampton Chronicle and Echo|title=Northampton North MP praised as Chancellor announces £200&nbsp;million of funding to repair potholes|url=http://www.northamptonchron.co.uk/news/local/northampton-north-mp-praised-as-chancellor-announces-200-million-of-funding-to-repair-potholes-1-5946617|access-date=29 October 2014}}</ref> In June 2014, it was announced that £3.3&nbsp;million of this fund would be allocated to Northamptonshire by the Department for Transport, with various repairs in Northampton.<ref>{{cite news|work=Northampton Chronicle and Echo|title=Northamptonshire to receive an extra £3.3&nbsp;million to fix potholes|url=http://www.northamptonchron.co.uk/news/local/northamptonshire-to-receive-an-extra-3-3-million-to-fix-potholes-1-6131589|access-date=29 October 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Potholes in dozens of roads in Northampton to be fixed as part of £3.3&nbsp;million repair work|url=http://www.northamptonchron.co.uk/news/local/potholes-in-dozens-of-roads-in-northampton-to-be-fixed-as-part-of-3-3-million-repair-work-1-6247930|work=Northampton Chronicle and Echo|access-date=22 December 2014}}</ref>
On 11 September 2013, Ellis introduced the Medical Innovation (No.2) Bill, a [[Private Members' Bills in the Parliament of the United Kingdom|Private members bill]] to the House of Commons.<ref>{{cite web|title=Medical Innovation (No.2) Bill 2013–14|url=http://services.parliament.uk/bills/2013-14/medicalinnovationno2.html|publisher=UK Parliament|accessdate=28 September 2013}}</ref> This Bill was also introduced into the House of Lords by Lord (Maurice) Saatchi on 3 December 2012<ref>{{cite web|title=Medical Innovation Bill [HL] 2012–13|url=http://services.parliament.uk/bills/2012-13/medicalinnovation.html|publisher=UK Parliament|accessdate=28 September 2013}}</ref> and was designed to allow doctors more scope to innovate when treating cancer patients.<ref>{{cite web|title=Lord Maurice Saatchi Blames Lack of Cancer Cure on Legal 'Deterrent'|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2013/09/11/lord-saatchi-cancer_n_3905717.html|publisher=Huffington Post UK|accessdate=28 September 2013}}</ref> The bill was withdrawn after its first reading,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://services.parliament.uk/bills/2013-14/medicalinnovationno2.html|title=Medical Innovation (No. 2) Bill 2013–14|work=Parliament.uk|author=Michael Ellis|accessdate=24 February 2014}}</ref> following an indication from the government that they would support it.<ref>{{cite web|title=Twitter / Michael Ellis|url=https://twitter.com/Michael_Ellis1/status/403927217367183360|publisher=Twitter|accessdate=1 April 2014}}</ref>


In July 2014, Ellis was successful in calling for the Parliamentary authorities to officially mark the assassination of a former member of Parliament for Northampton, [[Spencer Perceval]], who had become Prime Minister, and who was [[Assassination of Spencer Perceval|shot and killed in the House of Commons]] in 1812. The Parliamentary authorities agreed to install a brass plaque in [[St Stephen's Chapel|St Stephen's Hall]] commemorating the notable assassination and Ellis called this a "fitting tribute" to the former prime minister and historic Northampton figure.<ref>{{cite news|title=Spencer Perceval: Plaque for assassinated prime minister|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-28406576|publisher=BBC News|date=21 July 2014|access-date=22 December 2014}}</ref>
The Government’s support for the Bill was confirmed on 21 July 2014 by Dr [[Daniel Poulter|Dan Poulter]] MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department of Health, in an answer to a written Parliamentary question from the Labour MP [[Jim Fitzpatrick (politician)|Jim Fitzpatrick MP]].<ref>{{cite web|title=https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201415/cmhansrd/cm140721/text/140721w0006.htm#140721w0006.htm_wqn35|url=https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201415/cmhansrd/cm140721/text/140721w0006.htm#140721w0006.htm_wqn35|publisher=Houses of Parliament}}</ref>


In October 2014, the ''[[Northampton Chronicle & Echo]]'' newspaper reported that Ellis had been canvassing in Northampton when he came across a medical emergency and performed [[cardiopulmonary resuscitation]] (CPR) on a constituent.<ref>{{cite news|work=Northampton Chronicle and Echo|title=Family thank Northampton MP for giving CPR to grandfather|url=http://www.northamptonchron.co.uk/news/local/family-thank-northampton-mp-for-giving-cpr-to-grandfather-1-6340832|access-date=13 October 2014}}</ref>
Ellis was re-elected at the [[United Kingdom general election, 2015|2015 general election]]. He beat fellow candidate, and predecessor, [[Sally Keeble]] by 3,245 votes (42%) to secure his seat in the [[House of Commons of the United Kingdom|House of Commons]].<ref>{{cite web|title=GENERAL ELECTION 2015: Conservative Michael Ellis says he was ‘humbled’ by result that saw him retain seat in Northampton North|url=http://www.northantstelegraph.co.uk/news/top-stories/general-election-2015-conservative-michael-ellis-says-he-was-humbled-by-result-that-saw-him-retain-seat-in-northampton-north-1-6732883|website=Northamptonshire Telegraph|publisher=Johnson Publishing|accessdate=8 May 2015}}</ref> As well as Keeble, Ellis beat [[United Kingdom Independence Party|UKIP]] candidate [[Tom Rubython]], [[Green Party of England and Wales|Green Party]] candidate [[Tony Clarke (British politician)|Tony Clarke]] and [[Liberal Democrats (UK)|Liberal Democrat]] Angela Patterson.


Ellis was re-elected at the [[2015 United Kingdom general election|2015 general election]]. He beat [[Sally Keeble]] by 3,245 votes (42%) to secure his seat in the House of Commons.<ref>{{cite news|title=GENERAL ELECTION 2015: Conservative Michael Ellis says he was 'humbled' by result that saw him retain seat in Northampton North|url=http://www.northantstelegraph.co.uk/news/top-stories/general-election-2015-conservative-michael-ellis-says-he-was-humbled-by-result-that-saw-him-retain-seat-in-northampton-north-1-6732883|website=Northamptonshire Telegraph|publisher=Johnson Publishing|access-date=8 May 2015}}</ref>
Ellis was opposed to Brexit prior to the [[United Kingdom European Union membership referendum, 2016|2016 referendum]].<ref name="thespectatorwhichtorympsbackbrexit">{{cite news|last1=Goodenough|first1=Tom|title=Which Tory MPs back Brexit, who doesn’t and who is still on the fence?|url=http://blogs.spectator.co.uk/2016/02/which-tory-mps-back-brexit-who-doesnt-and-who-is-still-on-the-fence/|accessdate=11 October 2016|work=The Spectator|date=16 February 2016}}</ref>


In May 2016, it emerged that Ellis was one of a number of Conservative MPs being investigated by police in the [[2015 United Kingdom general election party spending investigation|2015 general election party spending investigation]], for allegedly spending more than the legal limit on constituency election campaign expenses.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://news.channel4.com/livepages/2016/election-expenses/| title=Election Expenses Exposed| work=Channel 4 News|access-date=15 August 2018|date=23 June 2016}}</ref> However, in May 2017, the Crown Prosecution Service said that while there was evidence of inaccurate spending returns, it did not "meet the test" for further action.<ref name="BBC">{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-39865801|title=No charges over 2015 Conservative battle bus cases|access-date=15 August 2018|publisher=BBC News|date=10 May 2017}}</ref>
Ellis was re-elected again at the [[United Kingdom general election, 2017|2017 general election]]. However, his majority was reduced to 807 votes.


In July 2016, Ellis was made an Assistant Whip (HM Treasury) and became Deputy Leader of the House of Commons.<ref name=parliamentbioellis>{{cite web|title=Michael Ellis|url=https://www.parliament.uk/biographies/commons/michael-ellis/4116|website=Parliament UK|access-date=15 August 2018}}</ref>
Ellis is a member of the [[Conservative Friends of Israel]] group, and has participated in delegations to raise concerns about an agreement relating to Iran's nuclear capabilities.<ref>https://cfoi.co.uk/april-2014/</ref>


Ellis was opposed to [[Brexit]] prior to the [[2016 United Kingdom European Union membership referendum|2016 referendum]].<ref name="thespectatorwhichtorympsbackbrexit">{{cite news|last1=Goodenough|first1=Tom|title=Which Tory MPs back Brexit, who doesn't and who is still on the fence?|url=http://blogs.spectator.co.uk/2016/02/which-tory-mps-back-brexit-who-doesnt-and-who-is-still-on-the-fence/|access-date=11 October 2016|work=The Spectator|date=16 February 2016}}</ref> He later supported [[Theresa May]]'s Brexit deal,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://blogs.spectator.co.uk/2019/01/where-every-tory-mp-stands-on-brexit-the-full-list/ |title=Where every Tory MP stands on Brexit: the full list |work=Blogs.spectator.co.uk |date= 14 January 2019|access-date=17 October 2019}}</ref> and voted against ruling out a [[no-deal Brexit]].<ref>{{cite news |author=Jacob Jarvis|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/politics/how-did-your-mp-vote-on-the-no-deal-brexit-motion-a4091286.html |title=How did your MP vote on the no deal Brexit motion? |work=Evening Standard |date=14 March 2019 |access-date=17 October 2019}}</ref>
===Anti-pothole campaign===
In March 2014, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, [[George Osborne]] announced in the House of Commons during the Budget Speech that a campaign Ellis had been conducting to secure extra funds to reduce potholes had succeeded and that a £200&nbsp;million fund was being created to be distributed nationwide.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Northampton Chronicle and Echo|title=Northampton North MP praised as Chancellor announces £200&nbsp;million of funding to repair potholes|url=http://www.northamptonchron.co.uk/news/local/northampton-north-mp-praised-as-chancellor-announces-200-million-of-funding-to-repair-potholes-1-5946617|accessdate=29 October 2014}}</ref> In June 2014, it was announced that £3.3&nbsp;million of this fund would be allocated to Northamptonshire by the Department for Transport.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Northampton Chronicle and Echo|title=Northamptonshire to receive an extra £3.3&nbsp;million to fix potholes|url=http://www.northamptonchron.co.uk/news/local/northamptonshire-to-receive-an-extra-3-3-million-to-fix-potholes-1-6131589|accessdate=29 October 2014}}</ref>


Ellis was re-elected again at the [[2017 United Kingdom general election|2017 general election]]. However, his majority was reduced to 807 votes.{{cn|date=September 2022}} He was also re-elected at the [[2019 United Kingdom general election|2019 general election]], increasing his majority to 5,507 votes over Labour.<ref>{{cite news |title=Northampton North Parliamentary constituency |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/politics/constituencies/E14000861 |website=BBC News |publisher=BBC |access-date=5 May 2024}}</ref>
Road repair funds are being spent in Ellis' constituency including repair work in the Westone, Boothville and Kingsthorpe areas of Northampton North.<ref>{{cite news|title=Potholes in dozens of roads in Northampton to be fixed as part of £3.3&nbsp;million repair work|url=http://www.northamptonchron.co.uk/news/local/potholes-in-dozens-of-roads-in-northampton-to-be-fixed-as-part-of-3-3-million-repair-work-1-6247930|accessdate=22 December 2014}}</ref>


In February 2018, following the announcement that [[Northamptonshire County Council]] had brought in a "section 114" notice, putting it in special measures following a crises in its finances, Ellis was one of seven local MPs who released a statement arguing that the problems with the authority were down to mismanagement from the Conservative councillors who led it rather than funding cuts from the Conservative Government. They further argued that government commissioners should take over the running of the council.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-northamptonshire-42944394|title=Northamptonshire MPs call for county council takeover|work=BBC News|date=5 February 2018|access-date=15 August 2018}}</ref>
In July 2014 Ellis was successful in calling for the Parliamentary authorities to officially mark the assassination of a former Member of Parliament for Northampton, [[Spencer Perceval]], who had become Prime Minister, and who was [[Assassination of Spencer Perceval|shot and killed in the House of Commons]] in 1812. It had previously been believed that the place of the assassination had been marked by some disordered floor tiles in St Stephen's Hall in Parliament until they were removed by workmen during renovations. The Parliamentary authorities agreed to install a brass plaque in [[St Stephen's Chapel|St Stephen's Hall]] commemorating the assassination – Spencer Perceval is the only British Prime Minister to have been assassinated – and Ellis called this a "fitting tribute" to the former Prime Minister and historic Northampton figure.<ref>{{cite news|title=Spencer Perceval: Plaque for assassinated prime minister|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-28406576|accessdate=22 December 2014}}</ref>


As Arts Minister in April 2019, Ellis placed an [[export bar]] on a 500-year-old drawing by [[Lucas van Leyden]] worth £11.4 million in a bid to keep the work of art in the United Kingdom.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/11-million-drawing-at-risk-of-export |title=£11 million drawing at risk of export |work=GOV.UK |access-date=17 October 2019}}</ref> He also placed an [[export bar]] on a 17th-century [[baroque]] cabinet by Roman maker Giacomo Herman<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/arts-minister-steps-in-to-save-rare-3-million-baroque-cabinet-for-the-nation |title=Arts Minister steps in to save rare £3 million Baroque Cabinet for the nation |work=GOV.UK |access-date=17 October 2019}}</ref> and a unique 18th-century [[harpsichord]] by Joseph Mahoon.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/unique-18th-century-harpsichord-at-risk-of-export |title=Unique 18th century harpsichord at risk of export |work=GOV.UK |access-date=17 October 2019}}</ref>
In October 2014, the ''[[Northampton Chronicle & Echo]]'' newspaper reported that Ellis had been canvassing in Northampton when he came across a medical emergency and performed [[Cardiopulmonary resuscitation]] (CPR) on a constituent.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Northampton Chronicle and Echo|title=Family thank Northampton MP for giving CPR to grandfather|url=http://www.northamptonchron.co.uk/news/local/family-thank-northampton-mp-for-giving-cpr-to-grandfather-1-6340832|accessdate=13 October 2014}}</ref>

In the House of Commons he has sat on the Statutory Instruments (Select and Joint Committees) and the Home Affairs Committee.<ref name=parliamentbioellis/> He is a member of the [[Conservative Friends of Israel]] group, and has participated in delegations to raise concerns about an agreement relating to Iran's nuclear capabilities.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://cfoi.co.uk/april-2014/|title=April 2014|website=cfoi.co.uk}}</ref>

When [[Suella Braverman]] was designated as a [[Minister on Leave]] in 2021, Ellis was appointed Attorney General<ref>{{Cite web|title=Ministerial appointments: 2 March 2021|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/ministerial-appointments-2-march-2021|access-date=2 March 2021|work=GOV.UK}}</ref> and designated as also attending [[Cabinet of the United Kingdom|Cabinet]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Ministers – GOV.UK|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/ministers|access-date=2 March 2021|work=GOV.UK}}</ref>

On 8 February 2022, Ellis was appointed [[Minister for the Cabinet Office]] in addition to his role as [[Paymaster General]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=M |first1=Muvija |last2=James |first2=William |title=UK lawmaker Ellis to be minister for cabinet office - PM's office |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/uk/uk-lawmaker-ellis-be-minister-cabinet-office-pms-office-2022-02-08/ |access-date=31 March 2022 |work=Reuters |date=8 February 2022}}</ref>

Ellis supported [[Rishi Sunak]] during the [[July–September 2022 Conservative Party leadership election]].{{cn|date=September 2022}}

On 6 September 2022, Ellis was appointed [[Attorney General for England and Wales]] and [[Advocate General for Northern Ireland]] in the [[Truss ministry]], succeeding [[Suella Braverman]]. He was dismissed on 25 October 2022 by the new prime minister [[Rishi Sunak]].{{cn|date=October 2022}}

Ellis was appointed a [[Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire]] (KBE) in the [[2023 Special Honours|2023 Political Honours]] on 18 June for public and political service.<ref name="politicalhonours">{{cite web |title=Political Honours conferred: June 2023 |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/political-honours-conferred-june-2023 |website=[[Gov.uk]] |access-date=18 June 2023 |date=16 June 2023}}</ref><ref>{{London Gazette|issue=64213|pages=21730|date=30 October 2023}}</ref>

Speaking during a sitting at the [[House of Commons]] on [https://www.parliamentlive.tv/Event/Index/6ff57a80-5c17-4430-b69f-7428ed3ab344 the 8th of January 2024] <ref>{{Cite web |title=House of Commons Proceedings - Monday 8 January 2024 |website=Parliamentlive.tv |url=https://www.parliamentlive.tv/Event/Index/6ff57a80-5c17-4430-b69f-7428ed3ab344 |access-date=2024-01-08}}</ref>
, Ellis expressed views against [https://www.icj-cij.org/case/192 Proceedings instituted by South Africa against the State of Israel on 29 December 2023] which by then [https://www.commondreams.org/news/800-groups-icj 800+ Global Groups] and the 57-member states of the [[OIC]] had supported <ref>{{Cite news |title=Countries announce endorsing South Africa's ICJ case against Israel |date=January 8, 2024 |url=https://www.albawaba.com/news/countries-announce-endorsing-south-africas-icj-case-against-israel-1548039 |publisher=Al Bawaba |access-date=January 9, 2024}}</ref>
.
Ellis announced in May 2024 that he would stand down at the [[2024 United Kingdom general election|2024 general election]].<ref>{{cite web |title=The MPs who have announced they are standing down at the next general election |url=https://news.sky.com/story/the-mps-who-have-announced-they-are-standing-down-at-the-next-general-election-13102764 |website=[[Sky News]] |access-date=27 May 2024 |date=24 May 2024}}</ref>


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist|2}}
{{Reflist|2}}

==Notes==
{{notelist}}


==External links==
==External links==
{{commons category}}
*[http://michaelellis.co.uk Michael Ellis MP Website]
*[http://michaelellis.co.uk Michael Ellis MP Website]
*{{UK MP links | parliament = michael-ellis/4116 | publicwhip = michael_ellis | theywork = michael_ellis}}
*{{UK MP links | parliament = michael-ellis/4116 | publicwhip = michael_ellis | theywork = michael_ellis}}


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Latest revision as of 23:32, 13 November 2024

Sir Michael Ellis
Official portrait, 2020
Attorney General for England and Wales
Advocate General for Northern Ireland
In office
6 September 2022 – 25 October 2022
Prime MinisterLiz Truss
Preceded bySuella Braverman
Succeeded byVictoria Prentis
In office
2 March 2021 – 10 September 2021[a]
Prime MinisterBoris Johnson
Preceded bySuella Braverman
Succeeded bySuella Braverman
Minister for the Cabinet Office
In office
8 February 2022 – 6 September 2022
Prime MinisterBoris Johnson
Preceded bySteve Barclay
Succeeded byEdward Argar
Paymaster General
In office
16 September 2021 – 6 September 2022
Prime MinisterBoris Johnson
Preceded byPenny Mordaunt
Succeeded byEdward Argar
Solicitor General for England and Wales
In office
10 September 2021 – 16 September 2021
Prime MinisterBoris Johnson
Preceded byLucy Frazer
Succeeded byAlex Chalk
In office
26 July 2019 – 2 March 2021
Prime MinisterBoris Johnson
Preceded byLucy Frazer
Succeeded byLucy Frazer
Minister of State for Transport
In office
23 May 2019 – 24 July 2019
Prime MinisterTheresa May
Preceded byJesse Norman
Succeeded byChris Heaton-Harris
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Arts, Heritage and Tourism
In office
9 January 2018 – 23 May 2019
Prime MinisterTheresa May
Preceded byJohn Glen
Succeeded byRebecca Pow
Deputy Leader of the House of Commons
In office
17 July 2016 – 9 January 2018
Prime MinisterTheresa May
Preceded byThérèse Coffey
Succeeded byChris Heaton-Harris
Member of Parliament
for Northampton North
In office
6 May 2010 – 30 May 2024
Preceded bySally Keeble
Succeeded byLucy Rigby
Personal details
Born
Michael Tyrone Ellis

(1967-10-13) 13 October 1967 (age 57)
Northampton, England
Political partyConservative
Alma materUniversity of Buckingham
City Law School
WebsiteOfficial website

Sir Michael Tyrone Ellis KBE KC (born 13 October 1967) is a British politician and barrister who served as Attorney General for England and Wales between September and October 2022, having previously served in the position from March to September 2021 during the maternity leave of Suella Braverman. A member of the Conservative Party, he previously served as Paymaster General from 2021 to 2022 and as Minister for the Cabinet Office from February to September 2022. Ellis served as the Member of Parliament (MP) for Northampton North from 2010 to 2024.

Ellis served in the May Government as Deputy Leader of the House of Commons from 2016 to 2018, as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Arts, Heritage and Tourism from 2018 to 2019, and as Minister of State for Transport from May to July 2019. When Boris Johnson became Prime Minister in July 2019, he was appointed Solicitor General and, in September 2019, he was appointed to the Privy Council.[1] He also served as Acting Attorney General from March to September 2021 after Suella Braverman was designated as a Minister on Leave. On 15 September 2021, Ellis was appointed Paymaster General in Johnson's second cabinet reshuffle.[2] In February 2022, he was promoted by Johnson to Minister for the Cabinet Office, a position with the right to attend Cabinet. Ellis was appointed Attorney General by Liz Truss on 6 September 2022, but was dismissed from the position by her successor, Rishi Sunak, the following month.

Early life and career

[edit]

Michael Ellis was born in Northampton on 13 October 1967 to a British Jewish family.[3] He was privately educated at two independent schools: Spratton Hall School, a preparatory school in the village of Spratton in Northamptonshire, and at Wellingborough School, in the town of Wellingborough. He went on to study at the private University of Buckingham, where he obtained an upper-second class LL.B. degree in 1993, and won the Aylesbury Vale District Council Chairman's Prize for the Best Performance in Public Law that year.[4]

At university, Ellis was also a student editor of the Denning Law Journal.[4] Whilst at university, Ellis undertook an exchange programme in the United States at the College of William and Mary, Marshall-Wythe School of Law in Williamsburg, Virginia.[4] After attending the Inns of Court School of Law in London, he was called to the Bar at Middle Temple in 1993.[5] His legal practice as a barrister was based in Northampton, and his chamber's head office was in London.[6]

Political career

[edit]

Ellis stood unsuccessfully as the Conservative candidate in the Park ward of Northampton Borough Council in 1995.[7] However, he was elected in 1997 as a Conservative councillor on Northamptonshire County Council, representing the Northampton Park (now Parklands) Ward, winning the seat from his Labour Party rival by 44 votes. He served until the next election in May 2001, when he did not stand again.[8] At the time of his election he was the youngest county councillor in Northamptonshire, at the age of 29.[9]

Ellis became the Conservative parliamentary candidate for Northampton North in December 2006. This followed a public vote in an open primary, which was a relatively unusual selection mechanism at the time.[10][11][12][13] Ellis was elected to Parliament in the 6 May 2010 general election gaining the seat with a majority of 1,936 and 34.1% of the vote, defeating the sitting Labour MP.[14]

In November 2010, Ellis established an All Party Group on the Queen's Diamond Jubilee, which he chaired for the following three years.[15] In this role, Ellis was responsible for organising a gift of a stained glass window of the Queen's coat of arms for the Queen from both Houses of Parliament.[16]

In July 2010, he was first elected onto the Statutory Instruments (Joint Committee) and worked on the Draft Communications Data Bill during the 2012–13 Parliamentary session.[17] Ellis was interviewed about this Bill with Jimmy Wales, co-founder of Wikipedia, on the Daily Politics programme on 11 December 2012.[18] In February 2011, Ellis was first elected onto the House of Commons Home Affairs Select Committee.[19][20]

On 11 September 2013, Ellis introduced the Medical Innovation (No.2) Bill, a private members bill to the House of Commons.[21][22] The bill was designed to allow doctors more scope to innovate when treating cancer patients, but was criticised by a range of medical and legal bodies, patient groups and charities.[23][24] The bill was withdrawn after its first reading,[25] following an indication from the government that they would support it.[26] Although the Conservative MP Dan Poulter MP, who was Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department of Health, suggested in July 2014 that the Government was keen to support it, it failed to progress through the House of Commons after the Liberal Democrats declined to support it.[27]

In March 2014, the chancellor of the exchequer, George Osborne announced in the House of Commons during the Budget Speech that a campaign Ellis had been conducting to secure extra funds to reduce potholes had succeeded and that a £200 million fund was being created to be distributed nationwide.[28] In June 2014, it was announced that £3.3 million of this fund would be allocated to Northamptonshire by the Department for Transport, with various repairs in Northampton.[29][30]

In July 2014, Ellis was successful in calling for the Parliamentary authorities to officially mark the assassination of a former member of Parliament for Northampton, Spencer Perceval, who had become Prime Minister, and who was shot and killed in the House of Commons in 1812. The Parliamentary authorities agreed to install a brass plaque in St Stephen's Hall commemorating the notable assassination and Ellis called this a "fitting tribute" to the former prime minister and historic Northampton figure.[31]

In October 2014, the Northampton Chronicle & Echo newspaper reported that Ellis had been canvassing in Northampton when he came across a medical emergency and performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) on a constituent.[32]

Ellis was re-elected at the 2015 general election. He beat Sally Keeble by 3,245 votes (42%) to secure his seat in the House of Commons.[33]

In May 2016, it emerged that Ellis was one of a number of Conservative MPs being investigated by police in the 2015 general election party spending investigation, for allegedly spending more than the legal limit on constituency election campaign expenses.[34] However, in May 2017, the Crown Prosecution Service said that while there was evidence of inaccurate spending returns, it did not "meet the test" for further action.[35]

In July 2016, Ellis was made an Assistant Whip (HM Treasury) and became Deputy Leader of the House of Commons.[36]

Ellis was opposed to Brexit prior to the 2016 referendum.[37] He later supported Theresa May's Brexit deal,[38] and voted against ruling out a no-deal Brexit.[39]

Ellis was re-elected again at the 2017 general election. However, his majority was reduced to 807 votes.[citation needed] He was also re-elected at the 2019 general election, increasing his majority to 5,507 votes over Labour.[40]

In February 2018, following the announcement that Northamptonshire County Council had brought in a "section 114" notice, putting it in special measures following a crises in its finances, Ellis was one of seven local MPs who released a statement arguing that the problems with the authority were down to mismanagement from the Conservative councillors who led it rather than funding cuts from the Conservative Government. They further argued that government commissioners should take over the running of the council.[41]

As Arts Minister in April 2019, Ellis placed an export bar on a 500-year-old drawing by Lucas van Leyden worth £11.4 million in a bid to keep the work of art in the United Kingdom.[42] He also placed an export bar on a 17th-century baroque cabinet by Roman maker Giacomo Herman[43] and a unique 18th-century harpsichord by Joseph Mahoon.[44]

In the House of Commons he has sat on the Statutory Instruments (Select and Joint Committees) and the Home Affairs Committee.[36] He is a member of the Conservative Friends of Israel group, and has participated in delegations to raise concerns about an agreement relating to Iran's nuclear capabilities.[45]

When Suella Braverman was designated as a Minister on Leave in 2021, Ellis was appointed Attorney General[46] and designated as also attending Cabinet.[47]

On 8 February 2022, Ellis was appointed Minister for the Cabinet Office in addition to his role as Paymaster General.[48]

Ellis supported Rishi Sunak during the July–September 2022 Conservative Party leadership election.[citation needed]

On 6 September 2022, Ellis was appointed Attorney General for England and Wales and Advocate General for Northern Ireland in the Truss ministry, succeeding Suella Braverman. He was dismissed on 25 October 2022 by the new prime minister Rishi Sunak.[citation needed]

Ellis was appointed a Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire (KBE) in the 2023 Political Honours on 18 June for public and political service.[49][50]

Speaking during a sitting at the House of Commons on the 8th of January 2024 [51] , Ellis expressed views against Proceedings instituted by South Africa against the State of Israel on 29 December 2023 which by then 800+ Global Groups and the 57-member states of the OIC had supported [52] . Ellis announced in May 2024 that he would stand down at the 2024 general election.[53]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Valerie Vaz is made an advisor to the Queen". 17 September 2019.
  2. ^ "Ministerial appointments: September 2021". GOV.UK. 16 September 2021.
  3. ^ Jessica Elgot (14 May 2010). "New Jewish ministers and the Miliband rivalry". The Jewish Chronicle. Retrieved 9 May 2015.
  4. ^ a b c "Conservatives – Northampton Conservatives – Michael Ellis MP". Northampton Conservatives. 23 August 2007. Retrieved 6 June 2010.
  5. ^ "Michael Ellis". Clarendonchambers.com. Retrieved 6 June 2010.
  6. ^ "Welcome to Clarendon Chambers". Clarendon Chambers. Retrieved 6 June 2010.
  7. ^ "Northampton Borough Council Election Results 1973-2011" (PDF). Plymouth University. Retrieved 15 August 2018.
  8. ^ "Northamptonshire County Council Election Results 1973-2009" (PDF). Plymouth University. Retrieved 15 August 2018.
  9. ^ "About Michael". Retrieved 22 December 2014.
  10. ^ "Michael Ellis – The people's choice". Northampton North Conservatives. 8 August 2007. Retrieved 6 June 2010.
  11. ^ "Tories pick Spelthorne candidate in primary". BBC News. 23 January 2010. Retrieved 6 June 2010.
  12. ^ "GP wins Tory 'open primary' race". BBC News. 4 August 2009. Retrieved 6 June 2010.
  13. ^ "We're the progressives – Osborne". BBC News. 11 August 2009. Retrieved 6 June 2010.
  14. ^ "Election 2010 | Constituency | Northampton North". BBC News. Retrieved 6 June 2010.
  15. ^ "House of Commons – Register of All Party Groups". UK Parliament. Retrieved 20 June 2011.
  16. ^ McGurran, Deborah (9 January 2012). "Stained glass window to mark Queen's Diamond Jubilee". BBC News. Retrieved 28 September 2013.
  17. ^ "Joint Committee on the Draft Communications Data Bill". UK Parliament. Retrieved 28 September 2013.
  18. ^ "Communications Data Bill: Jimmy Wales and Michael Ellis". BBC News. 11 December 2012. Retrieved 28 September 2013.
  19. ^ "Home Affairs Committee Membership". UK Parliament. Retrieved 20 June 2011.
  20. ^ "Home Affairs Committee hears evidence from Russell Brand as part of drugs policy enquiry". UK Parliament. Retrieved 28 September 2013.
  21. ^ "Medical Innovation (No.2) Bill 2013–14". UK Parliament. Retrieved 28 September 2013.
  22. ^ "Medical Innovation Bill [HL] 2012–13". UK Parliament. Retrieved 28 September 2013.
  23. ^ "Attacking critics is no way to fix the Saatchi bill". The Guardian. 19 November 2014. Retrieved 15 August 2018.
  24. ^ "Lord Maurice Saatchi Blames Lack of Cancer Cure on Legal 'Deterrent'". Huffington Post UK. 11 September 2013. Retrieved 28 September 2013.
  25. ^ Michael Ellis. "Medical Innovation (No. 2) Bill 2013–14". Parliament.uk. Retrieved 24 February 2014.
  26. ^ "Twitter / Michael Ellis". Twitter. Retrieved 1 April 2014.
  27. ^ "Medical Treatments: Innovation". Houses of Parliament.
  28. ^ "Northampton North MP praised as Chancellor announces £200 million of funding to repair potholes". Northampton Chronicle and Echo. Retrieved 29 October 2014.
  29. ^ "Northamptonshire to receive an extra £3.3 million to fix potholes". Northampton Chronicle and Echo. Retrieved 29 October 2014.
  30. ^ "Potholes in dozens of roads in Northampton to be fixed as part of £3.3 million repair work". Northampton Chronicle and Echo. Retrieved 22 December 2014.
  31. ^ "Spencer Perceval: Plaque for assassinated prime minister". BBC News. 21 July 2014. Retrieved 22 December 2014.
  32. ^ "Family thank Northampton MP for giving CPR to grandfather". Northampton Chronicle and Echo. Retrieved 13 October 2014.
  33. ^ "GENERAL ELECTION 2015: Conservative Michael Ellis says he was 'humbled' by result that saw him retain seat in Northampton North". Northamptonshire Telegraph. Johnson Publishing. Retrieved 8 May 2015.
  34. ^ "Election Expenses Exposed". Channel 4 News. 23 June 2016. Retrieved 15 August 2018.
  35. ^ "No charges over 2015 Conservative battle bus cases". BBC News. 10 May 2017. Retrieved 15 August 2018.
  36. ^ a b "Michael Ellis". Parliament UK. Retrieved 15 August 2018.
  37. ^ Goodenough, Tom (16 February 2016). "Which Tory MPs back Brexit, who doesn't and who is still on the fence?". The Spectator. Retrieved 11 October 2016.
  38. ^ "Where every Tory MP stands on Brexit: the full list". Blogs.spectator.co.uk. 14 January 2019. Retrieved 17 October 2019.
  39. ^ Jacob Jarvis (14 March 2019). "How did your MP vote on the no deal Brexit motion?". Evening Standard. Retrieved 17 October 2019.
  40. ^ "Northampton North Parliamentary constituency". BBC News. BBC. Retrieved 5 May 2024.
  41. ^ "Northamptonshire MPs call for county council takeover". BBC News. 5 February 2018. Retrieved 15 August 2018.
  42. ^ "£11 million drawing at risk of export". GOV.UK. Retrieved 17 October 2019.
  43. ^ "Arts Minister steps in to save rare £3 million Baroque Cabinet for the nation". GOV.UK. Retrieved 17 October 2019.
  44. ^ "Unique 18th century harpsichord at risk of export". GOV.UK. Retrieved 17 October 2019.
  45. ^ "April 2014". cfoi.co.uk.
  46. ^ "Ministerial appointments: 2 March 2021". GOV.UK. Retrieved 2 March 2021.
  47. ^ "Ministers – GOV.UK". GOV.UK. Retrieved 2 March 2021.
  48. ^ M, Muvija; James, William (8 February 2022). "UK lawmaker Ellis to be minister for cabinet office - PM's office". Reuters. Retrieved 31 March 2022.
  49. ^ "Political Honours conferred: June 2023". Gov.uk. 16 June 2023. Retrieved 18 June 2023.
  50. ^ "No. 64213". The London Gazette. 30 October 2023. p. 21730.
  51. ^ "House of Commons Proceedings - Monday 8 January 2024". Parliamentlive.tv. Retrieved 8 January 2024.
  52. ^ "Countries announce endorsing South Africa's ICJ case against Israel". Al Bawaba. 8 January 2024. Retrieved 9 January 2024.
  53. ^ "The MPs who have announced they are standing down at the next general election". Sky News. 24 May 2024. Retrieved 27 May 2024.

Notes

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  1. ^ In accordance with the Ministerial and other Maternity Allowances Act 2021, Ellis temporarily served as Attorney General during Braverman's maternity leave.
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