Andrew Griffith · Conservative and Unionist Party
Northern Ireland
: 77,969
Con held for 5 consecutive elections.
MP News Approval i
+46
Andrew Griffith
Conservative and Unionist PartyAndrew Griffith is the Conservative MP for Arundel and South Downs, and has been an MP continually since 12 December 2019. He currently undertakes the role of Shadow Secretary of State for Business and Trade.
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Sign up freeCoverage of Arundel and South Downs has been predominantly positive for Andrew across 40 recent articles.
Positive coverage
“Consultation launched on introducing average speed cameras on Sussex roads” — The Argus
“Average Speed Cameras set to come to West Sussex” — Sussex Express
Critical coverage
“Tories are convinced McSweeney's phone is the only one in London not to have been stolen | John Crace” — The Guardian
A safe Con seat, won with 40% of the vote in 2024. Covers Barnham (Arun), Storrington and Henfield. Population 95,031, notably older (median age 51 vs 41 nationally). Recorded crime is 70% below the national average. 6,070 businesses.
Miliband blamed as OpenAI halts UK data centre over high energy costs
Daily Mail Online · 9 Apr 2026
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Sign up freeMedian Income▼
£31,300
per year (HMRC 2022-23)
Mean Income▼
£52,700
per year (HMRC 2022-23)
Businesses▼
6,070
VAT/PAYE registered (ONS 2024)
Schools▼
53
39 primary, 4 secondary, 10 other
Total Income Tax▼
£620m
from 54,000 taxpayers
Median Tax▼
£3,320
per taxpayer / year
Mean Tax
£11,400
per taxpayer / year
Source: HMRC Survey of Personal Incomes, tax year 2022-23. Allocated by taxpayer residence. Covers income tax only — excludes NI, VAT, and capital gains. Sample-based estimate (~8% confidence interval).
Attainment 8▼
46.5
average score (DfE)
GCSE Pass Rate▼
66.4%
5+ GCSEs 9-4 (DfE)
1 large town, 5 towns, 20 villages, rural areas — 95,016 total population
Source: ONS Built-Up Areas (Census 2021) + data.police.uk — crime rates are per 1,000 population (last 3 months)
Source: data.police.uk — street-level crime data aggregated from LSOA to constituency
30 councillors across 15 wards · Last elections: Feb 2024
| Ward | Party | Councillor | Elected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arundel Walberton | Green Party of England and Wales | Carol Birch | May 2023 |
| Green Party of England and Wales | Melanie Jill Penycate | May 2023 | |
| Green Party of England and Wales | Steve McAuliffe | May 2023 | |
| Barnham | Green Party of England and Wales | Anita June Lawrence | May 2023 |
| Green Party of England and Wales | Paul Ayling | May 2023 | |
| Green Party of England and Wales | Sue Wallsgrove | May 2023 | |
| Bramber Upper Beeding Woodmancote | Green Party of England and Wales | Mike Croker | May 2023 |
| Conservative and Unionist Party | Roger Guy Noel | May 2023 | |
| Easebourne | Conservative and Unionist Party | Francis Hobbs | May 2023 |
| Fernhurst | Conservative and Unionist Party | Brett Elise Burkhart | May 2023 |
| Liberal Democrats | Eleanora Newbery | May 2023 | |
| Fittleworth | Liberal Democrats | John Cross | May 2023 |
| Harting | Liberal Democrats | Tim O'Kelly | May 2023 |
| Henfield | Green Party of England and Wales | Gill Perry | Feb 2024 |
| Loxwood | Liberal Democrats | Charles Todhunter | May 2023 |
| Liberal Democrats | Gareth Evans | May 2023 | |
| Midhurst | Liberal Democrats | Hannah Burton | May 2023 |
| Liberal Democrats | Jess Brown-Fuller | May 2023 | |
| Petworth | Liberal Democrats | Harsha Desai | May 2023 |
| Pulborough Coldwaltham Amberley | Green Party of England and Wales | Jon Campbell | May 2023 |
| Green Party of England and Wales | Len Ellis-Brown | May 2023 | |
| Conservative and Unionist Party | Paul Robert Clarke | May 2023 | |
| Steyning Ashurst | Green Party of England and Wales | Nicholas Marks | May 2023 |
| Green Party of England and Wales | Victoria Finnegan | May 2023 | |
| Storrington Washington | Green Party of England and Wales | Claudia Fisher | May 2023 |
| Green Party of England and Wales | Emma Beard | May 2023 | |
| Green Party of England and Wales | Joan Grech | May 2023 | |
| West Chiltington Thakeham Ashington | Conservative and Unionist Party | Alan David Manton | May 2023 |
| Conservative and Unionist Party | Joy Dennis | May 2023 | |
| Conservative and Unionist Party | Philip James Circus | May 2023 |
Source: DCLEAPIL v1.0 by Jason Leman, LEAP (Andrew Teale) & Democracy Club. CC BY-SA 4.0. Data last refreshed: 1 Apr 2026.
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
✓ Won 2019 GE | Con | 22,001 | 40.2% |
| LD | 9,867 | 18.0% | |
| Lab | 9,782 | 17.9% | |
| Ref | 7,391 | 13.5% | |
| Green | 5,515 | 10.1% | |
| Ind | 184 | 0.3% |
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
✓ Won 2024 GE | Con | 35,566 | 57.9% |
Won 2024 GE | LD | 13,045 | 21.2% |
| Lab | 9,722 | 15.8% | |
| Green | 2,519 | 4.1% | |
| Ind | 556 | 0.9% |
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
✓ Won 2015 GEWon 2010 GE | Con | 37,573 | 62.4% |
| Lab | 13,690 | 22.7% | |
| LD | 4,783 | 7.9% | |
| Green | 2,542 | 4.2% | |
| Ind | 1,668 | 2.8% |
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
✓ Won 2017 GEWon 2010 GE | Con | 34,331 | 60.8% |
| Ind | 8,154 | 14.4% | |
| Lab | 6,324 | 11.2% | |
| LD | 4,062 | 7.2% | |
| Green | 3,606 | 6.4% |
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
✓ Won 2017 GEWon 2015 GE | Con | 32,333 | 57.8% |
| LD | 15,642 | 27.9% | |
| Lab | 4,835 | 8.6% | |
| Ind | 3,172 | 5.7% |
Andrew Griffith appeared in 4 national articles across 3 topics (13 Apr 2026 – 13 Apr 2026)
Mixed (0.00)Ranked #42 of 286 MPs mentioned in national coverage
Positioning Conservative Party as defender of Brexit mandate and parliamentary sovereignty, though as opposition critic rather than demonstrating proactive leadership or constituent benefit.
Griffith's criticism highlights Conservative opposition but represents standard party-political response without substantial policy alternative.
Griffith articulates a serious constitutional concern about parliamentary oversight, but his attack also appears partisan given previous Conservative government use of similar mechanisms.
Griffith critiques the government's EU alignment plans as undermining Parliament and betraying the Brexit referendum, positioning the Conservatives as Brexit defenders.
6 articles hidden as not sufficiently relevant to this constituency
OpenAI has paused its £31 billion Stargate UK data centre project, citing high energy costs and regulatory uncertainty. The decision is a significant blow to the UK government's AI ambitions, with Conservative MPs including shadow business secretary Andrew Griffith blaming Labour's energy policy for driving away major tech investment.
Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner Katy Bourne is consulting residents of Petworth and surrounding areas on average speed cameras for the A283 and A272, following complaints about speeding and dangerous driving. The consultation will inform whether the PCC pursues camera installation on these roads.
The Kent, Surrey and Sussex Air Ambulance charity has announced its 2026 fundraising events, including Heli Hikes, Family Fun Days, and a Charity Golf Day, with the first events scheduled for June in Sussex. The charity operates a critical emergency service costing £57,000 daily and relies on public donations to continue its lifesaving work.
Andrew Griffith MP held a public event in Milland, West Sussex, where constituents raised concerns about local council reorganisation plans that could merge rural Sussex communities with Crawley, and discussed unauthorised traveller developments and planning breaches. The MP outlined the government's position on these local issues and the proposed changes to the planning system.
The Fair Work Agency, established under Labour's Employment Rights Act spearheaded by Angela Rayner, has been confirmed to have powers including unannounced workplace inspections, warrant-less entry, use of reasonable force, and arrest authority. Shadow Business Secretary Andrew Griffith, the MP for Arundel and South Downs, has criticised the agency as creating unnecessary red tape and pledged the Conservatives would scrap it.
The Women's Institute is re-establishing a group in Petworth after the previous groups wound down, with 30 members already signed up. The new group will operate from 1-3 pm at the Sylvia Beaufoy Centre, blending traditional and modern activities to attract members of all ages.
MP Andrew Griffith welcomes government plans to crack down on illegal traveller camps, citing the two-tier planning system that he argues creates special status for Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities. He references specific local impacts in rural areas of his constituency, including incidents in Lurgashall, and calls for equal application of planning law.
Sage House, a dementia support charity based in Tangmere, has successfully launched weekly outreach sessions in Emsworth with strong attendance (35+ people) and is expanding further by taking over the existing dementia support group in Midhurst. The initiative brings dementia-friendly activities and community connection directly to local areas, addressing growing demand for accessible support services.
The UK economy faces recession risks as business activity crashes to 11-month lows, driven by soaring energy costs from the Iran conflict and Labour's tax hikes. Andrew Griffith, the Tory business spokesman, criticises the Government for poor policymaking and blames new costs and red tape for making the UK worse affected than other economies.
Annual town meetings are being held in Petworth and Midhurst, both towns within the Arundel and South Downs constituency, offering residents opportunities to hear updates from local councils and community groups about the past year's work and future plans.
The Labour government is conducting extensive consultations on its Employment Rights Act reforms, requiring businesses to review hundreds of pages and answer 173 questions across multiple consultations. The article criticizes the regulatory burden as contradicting the government's stated commitment to reducing red tape and 'consultation culture', with business groups warning of confusion and implementation difficulties.
The Shedders, a community organization in Thakeham, has opened new facilities with support from the local Rotary Club, which donated £1,000. The event highlights community engagement and skill-sharing initiatives in the area.
Crowns Venues Limited has completed the purchase of Tottington Manor Hotel near Henfield, securing the venue's future after acquiring the keys in 2021 under an option agreement. The company leadership highlighted the achievement as particularly significant given current challenges facing the hospitality industry.
A historical article about Singleton railway station in the South Downs, which operated from 1881 to 1935 before closing due to changing transport habits and competition from buses and cars. The abandoned station has now been converted into a cycling and walking trail as part of the Centurion Way extension.
A Rother climate action group (ERA) has been testing river water quality between Petersfield and Midhurst since July, documenting effects of wastewater discharge including E.coli contamination. The group's work, featured on Channel 4 News, highlights concerns about sewage in local waterways and advocates for public awareness of water quality before recreational use.
A dementia support group in Midhurst held a farewell concert featuring music therapy, marking the end of West Sussex Mind's Active Minds service due to unsustainable funding. The service will be taken over by Sage House from next week, continuing to serve local people with early-stage dementia and their carers.
Villagers in Henfield, West Sussex, are organising a national Day of Action on April 18 to protest against proposed developments of up to 1,400 new houses that would increase the village's population by over 50%. The Campaign for the Protection of Rural Henfield warns that such development would destroy the village's character, strain infrastructure, and turn it into a dormitory town for overspill from Brighton and Crawley.
Storrington is hosting a White Stork and Nature Festival featuring over 50 stallholders, refreshment vendors, animal activities including birds of prey and Dexter cows, and speakers at the Leisure Centre. The event is expected to be popular based on successful previous years.
Midhurst is bidding for the UK Town of Culture 2028 award, a government initiative offering £3m in funding to implement a cultural programme. The bid aims to revitalise the town following a recent fire, leveraging its existing cultural assets including polo at Cowdray, the MADhurst festival, and the Jazz, Food and Blues Festival.
Andrew Griffith MP opposes proposed local government reorganisation that would split West Sussex, arguing it would create duplicate services and unnecessary costs. He organised a litter-clearing initiative across the constituency and pledges to pressure National Highways to improve A27 maintenance.
An article about The Pig South Downs hotel near Arundel, which hosted a Decanter World Wine Awards tasting event showcasing award-winning English wines and the South Downs wine region. The piece highlights local winemakers like Dermot Sugrue and the growing quality and reputation of English sparkling wines.
A Telegraph investigation reveals that NS&I has withheld up to £476m from deceased savers' families since 2008. Graham Street from Preston, whose case was raised by his local MP Katherine Fletcher with then-economic secretary Andrew Griffith in 2023, has been unable to access his late mother's £10,000 in premium bonds due to complex probate requirements.
Andrew Griffith, MP for Arundel and South Downs, has been campaigning for average speed cameras on dangerous rural roads in the constituency, including the A272, A285, and A283. Sussex Police & Crime Commissioner Katy Bourne has pledged to launch a consultation on implementing this technology following Griffith's published heat map of speeding and noise issues.
Andrew Griffith MP vocally opposed the Labour government's local government reorganisation proposal that would merge councils across several counties, specifically battling to prevent Sussex being split. The article is a parliamentary sketch by Quentin Letts covering Conservative MPs' reactions to the government's plan.
National Savings & Investments (NS&I) has been exposed for losing track of deceased customers' savings accounts, affecting up to 37,500 beneficiaries denied £476m. The scandal has resulted in the CEO's resignation and compensation plans, though bereaved families may face unexpected inheritance tax bills when receiving their money back.
A satirical opinion piece criticizing Conservative politicians, including shadow business secretary Andrew Griffith, for promoting conspiracy theories about a stolen government phone belonging to Labour's Morgan McSweeney. The article argues the Tories are manufacturing scandal despite weak evidence, while ignoring similar phone-related controversies involving their own recent leadership.
Haywards Heath Town, a non-league club in Sussex, is hosting a charity match featuring former Brighton and Hove Albion strikers Bobby Zamora and Glenn Murray. The event celebrates the Premier League Stadium Fund's 25-year legacy, with Heath itself having received £123,000 in funding to upgrade facilities including LED floodlights and catering infrastructure.
Andrew Griffith MP has made an urgent plea to government ministers to reject plans to reorganise West Sussex councils, arguing that no constituents support the division and that splitting the county would create costly duplication across education, highways, and social care. He is calling on the government to keep West Sussex intact as a single administrative unit.
Councillor Francis Hobbs outlines a vision for revitalizing Midhurst, a town in the South Downs constituency that has struggled since a fire three years ago. He proposes turning Midhurst into a tourist destination hub by improving cycle paths, reopening the Cocking railway tunnel, and supporting cultural events like the Jazz, Food and Blues Festival, while calling for local entrepreneurship to drive economic growth.
Janet, a long-serving theatre manager at Chichester Festival Theatre for 48 years, is retiring on March 27. The article celebrates her career contributions and reflects on the theatre's evolution from near-closure in the early 2000s to its current thriving state.
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UK inflation remains stuck at 3% in February, higher than the Bank of England's 2% target and the highest in the G7. The article reports on criticism of Chancellor Rachel Reeves's economic management, with predictions that Middle East conflict and rising oil prices could push inflation to 5%, threatening a new cost-of-living crisis.
A controversy has emerged over Downing Street's handling of Morgan McSweeney's stolen phone in October, with reports suggesting No 10 did not properly inform the Metropolitan Police of the theft of a government device that may have contained sensitive communications about Lord Mandelson's appointment as US ambassador. Andrew Griffith, a former senior Downing Street adviser, has publicly criticised the incident as suspicious, questioning whether it was properly investigated.
A lifestyle article promoting local slow travel and walking routes in Sussex and the South Downs during spring bank holidays, positioned as an environmentally conscious alternative to flying. The article highlights several major walking trails including the Downs Link, High Weald Landscape Trail, Sussex Diamond Way, and Serpent Trail, with specific mentions of Arundel as a rail-accessible destination.
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