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David Reed (Conservative politician)

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From WikiRecord, the encyclopedia of everything

Not to be confused with David Reed (Labour politician).

David George Reed[2] (born December 1989) is a British Conservative Party politician who has served as Member of Parliament for Exmouth and Exeter East since 2024.[3][4][5][6] Reed is the Shadow Minister for Defence, Security and Resilience.[7]

Early life and education

Reed was born in Carshalton, south London.[1] After joining the Royal Marines, Reed was based at the Lympstone Royal Marine Base where he decided to move to East Devon full time.

Reed started his career in the Royal Marines and the Special Forces Support Group and served in conflict zones around the world during a seven-year career. In addition to his frontline service, Reed was a parachutist on the Royal Navy Parachute Display Team, and he won a place on the Team GB Wingsuit Skydiving Squad.

After leaving the Royal Marines, Reed gained a first class Bachelor’s degree in Business, and a Master’s degree in International Security. He has also worked in Parliament and held volunteer campaign officer positions within the Conservative Party. Reed has also worked in cyberspace development in the public and private sectors, most recently in the defence firm, BAE Systems Digital Intelligence.[1]

Political career

Reed was elected as the inaugural MP for Exmouth and Exeter East in the 2024 general election.[8] He captured the new seat with a narrow majority of just 121 votes, a margin of 0.2%.[9][10] In September 2024, he delivered his maiden speech in the House of Commons, celebrating his new role and expressing deep pride in his constituency of Exmouth and Exeter East.[11]

Since October 2024, he has served as Opposition Assistant Whip (Commons).[11]

Reed was a member of the International Development Committee, which he joined in October 2024.[11] He has also served on several legislative committees, including the Programming Sub-Committee for the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill, the Armed Forces Commissioner Bill Committee, the Water (Special Measures) Bill [HL] Committee, and the Sustainable Aviation Fuel Bill Committee.[11]

Reed introduced the Hunting Trophies (Import Prohibition) Bill, a Private Members’ Bill presented in October 2024.[12] The bill sought to prohibit the import of hunting trophies into Great Britain.

He is a Vice Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Foreign Affairs.[11] He previously held an officer role on the APPG on Explosive Weapons and Their Impact, where he focused on policy issues related to explosive ordnance and humanitarian demining.

On 10 June 2026, Reed hosted an adjournment debate on national resilience, where he called for a national conversation on preparedness and for the government to consider founding a ministry for national resilience.[13] In September 2026, Reed became a Shadow Minister sitting across the shadow Foreign Office and Defence teams.[14]

Personal life

Reed lives in Exmouth, within his constituency of Exmouth and Exeter East.

Electoral history

2022 Cheltenham Borough Council election: Park[15]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Democrats Jacqueline Ann Chelin 1,304 53.4 +15.7
Conservative David George Reed 926 37.9 −11.7
Green Catherine Sunita Lyon Leggett 211 8.6 +0.3
Majority 378 15.5
Turnout 2,441 48.9 −4.1
Liberal Democrats hold Swing
General election 2024: Exmouth and Exeter East[16]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative David Reed 14,728 28.7 −21.1
Labour Helen Dallimore 14,607 28.5 +18.0
Liberal Democrats Paul Arnott 11,387 22.2 +19.2
Reform Garry Sutherland 7,085 13.8 +13.5
Green Olly Davey 2,331 4.5 +2.8
Independent Dan Wilson 590 1.1 N/A
Independent Peter Faithfull 454 0.9 +0.4
Climate Mark Baldwin 134 0.3 N/A
Majority 121 0.2 −15.6
Turnout 51,478 64.4 −10.5
Registered electors 79,983
Conservative hold Swing −19.6

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Conservative candidate for Exmouth takes 'nothing for granted' ahead of election". Exmouth Journal. December 21, 2023.
  2. ↑ Gerrard, Bradley (6 Jun 2024). "Candidates Arnott and Davey on Exmouth and East Exeter chances". Exmouth Journal. Retrieved 31 August 2025.
  3. ↑ "Exmouth and Exeter East - General election results 2024". BBC News. Retrieved 2024-07-05.
  4. ↑ "Exmouth & Exeter East | General Election 2024". Sky News. Retrieved 5 July 2024.
  5. ↑ "Conservatives win new Exmouth & Exeter seat by narrow majority". East Devon News. 2024-07-05. Retrieved 2024-07-05.
  6. ↑ "New Tory candidate announced for Exmouth and East Exeter". Exmouth Journal. 2023-07-25. Retrieved 2024-07-05.
  7. ↑ Reed, David. X https://x.com/David__Reed. Retrieved 9 September 2026. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  8. ↑ "Last election result for David Reed - MPs and Lords - UK Parliament". members.parliament.uk. Retrieved 2025-08-15.
  9. ↑ "Tories win Exmouth and East Exeter seat by 121 votes". DevonAir Radio. September 5, 2025.
  10. ↑ "Conservatives narrowly take Exmouth and Exeter East". Radio Exe.
  11. 1 2 3 4 5 "Parliamentary career for David Reed - MPs and Lords - UK Parliament". members.parliament.uk. Retrieved 2025-08-15.
  12. ↑ "Hunting Trophies (Import Prohibition) Bill - Parliamentary Bills - UK Parliament". bills.parliament.uk. Retrieved 2025-08-15.
  13. ↑ "National Resilience". Hansard. Retrieved 6 August 2026.
  14. ↑ Sampson, Ella (2026-09-03). "David Reed appointed Shadow Minister for Defence and Foreign Office". Exeter Today. Retrieved 2026-09-10.
  15. ↑ "Election results for Park, 5 May 2022". democracy.cheltenham.gov.uk. May 5, 2022.
  16. ↑ "UK General Election results July 2024". East Devon District Council. 5 July 2024. Retrieved 5 July 2024.
Lists: Politicians