Conservative and Unionist Party MP for Basildon and Billericay.
Holden votes with the Conservative whip every time — a 100% party-line record across 393 votes — but his most notable recent activity has been as a reliable opposition voice on immigration, local democracy, and crime. He backed the reasoned amendment attempting to block the government's Immigration and Asylum Bill at Second Reading, opposed planning regulations that remove councillor oversight of smaller housing applications, and supported the opposition's motion criticising Labour's early prisoner release scheme. He also voted against regulations rolling back academy freedoms in schools. Before he arrived in Basildon and Billericay, Holden served as Conservative Party chairman ahead of the 2024 general election; at the time, his move from North West Durham to this Essex seat drew sharp criticism from local Conservative members and negative coverage in The Guardian, Sky News, and The Independent, with accusations that he was parachuted into a safer seat against the wishes of the local association.
His parliamentary participation sits at 69%, below the Commons average. Voting patterns show strong alignment with pro-business (95%), anti-tax (100%), parliamentary scrutiny (89%), and tough-on-crime (89%) positions. He deviates from his own party average by being noticeably more supportive of civil liberties and whistleblower protections. His 334 contributions across 184 debates are spread across economy and jobs, local government, fiscal policy, transport, and health — a broad spread rather than a single specialist focus. He holds no select committee roles.
Local news coverage over the past 90 days is largely neutral, spanning crime, housing, transport, and local government. One positive exception: Holden met with school leaders over dangerous parking outside a Basildon primary school, calling publicly for bollards and crossings. No rebel votes appear in the data, and no committee work is recorded.
The Rt Hon Mr Richard Holden is the Conservative MP for Basildon and Billericay, and has been an MP continually since 12 December 2019. He currently undertakes the role of Shadow Secretary of State for Transport.
Top eight by total divisions voted, this parliament. Volume measures engagement, not direction — see Notable Votes for free-vote moments and rebellions.
Source · The Public Whip · Hansard
Moments where the whip was free, or where Holden broke ranks. Free votes are the truer signal of personal stance.
No rebellions or free votes recorded yet.
Source · Hansard
“Ports are economic barometers revealing government failure to drive growth; freight tonnage decline reflects broader economic vandalism; government must balance planning reforms wi…”
“Offered condolences and thanks to emergency services, endorsed avoiding speculation before evidence is examined, but pressed for clarification on investigation timelines and assura…”
“Opposed to Labour's 50 per cent increase in the national bus fare cap; accuses the government of inconsistency by allowing Greater Manchester's £2 cap while raising fares elsewhere…”
“Raised concerns that the Under-Secretary for Transport has repeatedly failed to provide promised spreadsheets with written answers and has not replied to clarification requests, un…”
Holden holds no select-committee seat this session. New 2024-intake MPs typically wait one term before being appointed.
| Department | Qs | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Department for Transport | 1,234 | 37.9% |
| Cabinet Office | 774 | 23.8% |
| Treasury | 191 | 5.9% |
| Department of Health and Social Care | 137 | 4.2% |
| Department for Business and Trade | 120 | 3.7% |
| Department for Education | 105 | 3.2% |
| Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office | 90 | 2.8% |
| Home Office | 89 | 2.7% |
Pursuant to the Answer of 1 July 2026 to Question 12032, excluding flights relating to national security or those provided via the Integrated Security Fund, what the total expenditure by her Department has been on flights for people who are not staff members and are not UK nationals since 4 July 2024.
Awaiting answer.
What information her Department holds on what the twenty most common offences dealt with by (a) community resolutions and (b) out of court conditional cautions were in the most recent year for which data is available; and how many cases there were for each offence.
Awaiting answer.
How much her Department and its arm's-length bodies have spent on (a) advertising, (b) public relations, (c) advertising on their announcement regarding changes to rail fares in England for the 2025-26 year.
Awaiting answer.
What consideration her Department has given to incorporating the Driver Certificate of Professional Competence qualification into the (a) driving licence and (b) driver tachograph card for bus, coach and lorry drivers.
Awaiting answer.
London Marathon Events Ltd 26 April 2026 |
The Coalition for Global Prosperity (CGP) Name of donor: The Coalition for Global Prosperity (CGP)
Address of donor: 1 Horse Guards Avenue, London SW1A 2HU
Estimate of the probable… |
Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung Name of donor: Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung
Address of donor: 42 Essex Street, London WC2R 3JF
Estimate of the probable value (or amount of an… |
European Parliamentary Forum Name of donor: European Parliamentary Forum
Address of donor: Square de Meeus 18, 1050 Brussels, Belgium
Estimate of the probable value (o… |
UK Friends of Ukraine Name of donor: UK Friends of Ukraine
Address of donor: 62 Lots Road, London SW10 0QD
Estimate of the probable value (or amount of any dona… |
Source · Members API · Last amended 16 Jun 2026
| Category | £ | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Staffing | 234,964 | 69.7% |
| Office Costs | 40,088 | 11.9% |
| Accommodation | 32,309 | 9.6% |
| Miscellaneous | 22,688 | 6.7% |
| Staff Travel | 4,124 | 1.2% |
| Total · 154 claims | 336,893 | 100% |
Source · IPSA · FY 24_25
Nothing tabled for Holden on the published Order Paper this week.
| Year | Constituency | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Basildon and Billericay | 12,905 | 30.6% | Won |
| 2019 | North West Durham | 19,990 | 41.9% | Won |
| 2015 | Preston | 6,688 | 20.0% | Lost |
| Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Richard HoldenWON | Con | 12,905 | 30.6 |
Showing the MP’s own row only. Full result table: see Basildon and Billericay →