Dame Caroline Dinenage is the Conservative MP for Gosport, having first been elected to parliament at the 2010 general election.

She currently chairs the House of Commons culture, media and sport select committee.

In the 2024 general election, Dinenage won 17,830 votes, representing 40.3% of the vote. The Labour candidate, Edward Batterbury, received 11,776 votes (26.6%), while the Reform UK candidate, Matt Mulliss, secured 7,983 votes (18.0%). Dinenage was duly elected with a majority of 6,054.

The Gosport constituency is located on the Hampshire coast near Portsmouth and includes the towns of Gosport and Stubbington. The seat has long been considered safe Conservative territory. Dame Caroline’s immediate predecessor as the MP for Gosport was Sir Peter Viggers, who represented the constituency from 1974-2010.

Dinenage was appointed a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) in the 2022 New Year Honours list.

Political Career

Dinenage currently chairs the culture, media and sport select committee (since May 2023). The committee scrutinises the work of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS).

By virtue of this role, Dinenage sits on the liaison committee – the “super committee” composed of the cross-party chairs of all the other commons select committees. It has a broad oversight role, but is best known for its questioning of the prime minister in sessions that take place two or three times a year.

Dinenage previously served on the panel of chairs from October 2022 to November 2024. The panel of chairs is made up of those MPs chosen by the House of Commons speaker, typically at the beginning of every parliament, to chair public bill committees and other commons general committees. In this capacity, Dinenage also chaired debates in Westminster Hall.

During her tenure in parliament, Dinenage has held several ministerial positions. She was minister of state for digital and culture from February 2020 to September 2021, minister of state for social care from January 2018 to February 2020, parliamentary under-secretary of state for family support, housing and child maintenance from June 2017 to January 2018, and parliamentary under-secretary of state for women, equalities and early years at the Department for Education (DfE) from May 2015 to June 2017. She was also parliamentary under-secretary of state at the Ministry of Justice concurrently with her DfE role (May 2015 – July 2016).

Before becoming a minister, Dinenage served as parliamentary private secretary (PPS) to the secretary of state for education and minister for women and equalities, Nicky Morgan. A PPS acts as an unpaid assistant to a minister, providing a link between the senior frontbencher and backbench MPs.

In July 2022, Dinenage submitted a letter of no confidence in then-prime minister Boris Johnson’s leadership of the Conservative Party. She argued Johnson’s leadership had fallen into “disrepute” following a “catalogue of recent events” – including the “unforgivable mishandling” of the allegations against Chris Pincher.

In her letter, addressed to chair of the 1922 committee of Conservative backbenchers Sir Graham Brady, Dinenage wrote: “I am writing to share my deep regret that I no longer have confidence in our prime minister.

“This government has a strong record on some of the biggest challenges we have faced as a country, not least in our world-beating Covid vaccine roll-out and our support for Ukraine.

“However, the catalogue of recent events, concluding with the unforgivable mishandling of (the Chris Pincher fiasco), have significantly overshadowed these achievements and, in my view, have brought the prime minister’s leadership into disrepute.”

In the 2024-2026 parliamentary session, Dinenage presented the Human Fertilisation and Embryology (Regulation) Bill to parliament – which is aimed at regulating online providers of fertility services and related ancillary services.

Introducing the bill to the House of Commons, Dinenage said: “This is a classic case of regulation just not keeping pace with modern life. It is criminal that organisations that are in the business of making dreams come true can just disappear, along with people’s money and their hopes of starting a family.

“I urge ministers and [MPs] across the House to support my bill, to bring in the recommendations of the HFEA [Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority] and to support women and families at one of the most important stages of their lives.”

After allegations of sexual misconduct were first made against Russell Brand, Dinenage expressed her concern that “he [Brand] may be able to profit from his content” on social media platform Rumble. At the time, Brand had 1.4 million followers on Rumble.

Writing in her capacity as chair of the culture, media and sport select committee, Dinenage queried whether “Rumble intends to join YouTube in suspending Mr Brand’s ability to earn money on the platform”.

Rumble, in its response posted to X (formerly Twitter), described Dinenage’s line of inquiry as “deeply inappropriate and dangerous”.

https://x.com/rumblevideo/status/1704584929026216118?s=46

Dinenage was a member of the women and equalities committee from December 2021 to May 2024, the business, innovation and skills committee from November 2012 to March 2015, and the science, innovation and technology committee from February 2012 to February 2013.

Dinenage is listed as a member of the all-party parliamentary groups (APPGs) for women’s health, early education and childcare and creative health among others.

Dinenage is a patron of the Conservatives against Fox Hunting group.

Dinenage delivered her maiden speech on 9 June 2010 during a debate on the identity documents bill. In it, she said: “Gosport is a constituency of contrasts. It may be part of the affluent south of England, but it has pockets of shocking deprivation. I have met kids in my school visits who talk of things that young children should never have to experience. Thinking of my own seven-year-old son, it makes me so determined to work hard and change things for them.”

She added: “The crowning glory of Gosport is its very special people, with their strength of character, warmth of spirit, good humour and generosity – not to mention their immaculate good taste at election time.”

In the 2005 to 2010 parliament, Dinenage was added to the Tory “A-List” of prospective parliamentary candidates (PPCs), drawn up by Conservative Central Office at the behest of then-party leader David Cameron. The A-List was a centrally-approved priority list of around 100-150 PPCs created as part of Cameron’s bid to modernise the party’s image. The primary goal was to increase the diversity of Conservative MPs by fast-tracking more women and candidates from ethnic minority backgrounds into safe and winnable seats.

Dinenage previously stood unsuccessfully as the Conservative candidate for Portsmouth South in the 2005 general election, finishing second on 13,685 votes (33.9%).

Dinenage served as a Conservative councillor on Winchester City Council representing the Shedfield ward from 1998 to 2003, becoming the council’s youngest member upon election.

Political views

Leadership elections and loyalty

Tory leadership 2024: Dinenage supported James Cleverly’s candidacy in the November 2024 Conservative Party leadership election. In an article for the Telegraph, published October 2024, Dinenage characterised Cleverly as the “most experienced” candidate.

Referring to his speech at 2024 Conservative Party conference, Dinenage backed Cleverly’s argument that the Tories need to be more “normal”. She wrote: “It’s possible to be normal without being ordinary; in fact some voters might argue, based on recent examples, a political party leader who is normal would be extraordinary.

“I agree that we must own our past mistakes but also articulate a positive Conservative vision for our future, and make sure that we appeal to younger voters again.”

She added: “I am convinced that James is someone who has the same Conservative values now that he had when he was first elected. He will fight for those values: smaller state, lower taxes, higher defence spending, rewarding hard work and aspiration.”

https://x.com/cj_dinenage/status/1583232718405795840

Tory leadership 2022 (I): Dinenage supported Penny Mordaunt’s candidacy in the Conservative Party’s July-September 2022 leadership election. The contest was triggered by the resignation of Boris Johnson, following the mass exodus of more than 60 frontbenchers.

Mordaunt, the international trade minister, was described as a “socially liberal Brexiteer”. She was narrowly overtaken by Liz Truss in the final round. Mordaunt was thereby eliminated in the fifth parliamentary ballot on 20 July after receiving 105 votes.

Tory leadership 2022 (II): Dinenage also supported Mordaunt’s candidacy in the Conservative Party’s October 2022 leadership election. The contest was triggered by the resignation of Liz Truss after just 45 days in office, following the financial and political tailspin triggered by her “mini-budget”.

Tory leadership 2019: Dinenage was one of 20 Conservative MPs who voted for Matt Hancock in the first ballot of the party’s leadership election in June 2019. The contest was triggered by the resignation of Theresa May after she was unable to secure a Brexit deal acceptable to the Conservative Party.

Hancock, the then-health and social care secretary, pitched himself as one nation Conservative who could appeal to the centre ground. He secured 20 votes in the first round of voting on 13 June, placing sixth, and withdrew the next day.

Dinenage went on to support Jeremy Hunt’s candidacy. Hunt, campaigning as a “unity candidate”, secured 77 votes from MPs in the final parliamentary round and thereby reached the final head-to-head ballot against Boris Johnson. In the subsequent vote by the party membership, Hunt finished as runner-up with 46,656 votes (33.6%) compared to Johnson’s 92,153 (66.4%).

Tory leadership 2016: Dinenage supported May for the party’s leadership in July 2016. The contest was triggered by the resignation of David Cameron following the UK’s vote to leave the European Union.

May, the then-home secretary, secured a commanding lead in the parliamentary stages, receiving 165 votes in the first ballot and 199 in the second. Following the withdrawal of her final rival, Andrea Leadsom, on 11 July, May was declared leader unopposed and was appointed prime minister two days later.

Dinenage’s leadership campaign endorsements generally reflect a more moderate or “one nation” Conservative outlook.

Factional identity and party tradition

Conservative Environment Network: Dinenage is listed as a member of the Conservative Environment Network (CEN) parliamentary caucus. CEN is an independent forum for conservatives that supports conservation and decarbonisation. It calls for the environment to be given a higher profile at the heart of policy making, describing “biodiversity loss, climate change, and wasteful resource use are threats to our national security”, and promotes “market-based policies” to environmental challenges. Members of its parliamentary caucus, such as …, are thought to generally align with the group’s “green” message and environmentalism.

Bright Blue: Dinenage has been listed as a parliamentary supporter of Bright Blue, an independent centre-right think tank and membership organisation that champions liberal conservatism in the UK. Since its founding in 2014, the organisation has expanded its reach through a new cross-party strategy.

Animal welfare: Dinenage is a patron of the Conservative Animal Welfare Foundation (CAWF). The CAWF, co-founded animal welfare campaigner Lorraine Platt and Carrie Johnson, the wife of the former prime minister, calls for an end to live animal exports for fattening and slaughter, tougher sentencing for animal cruelty, and a ban on the import of fur and foie gras. It has close links with the Conservatives Against Fox Hunting campaign, also known as Blue Fox.

Brexit and Europe

Brexit referendum: Dinenage supported the Remain campaign in the 2016 referendum on Britain’s membership of the European Union (EU), and therefore disagreed with a majority of constituents, 61.8% of whom voted to Leave

Article 50: In February 2017, Dinenage voted in favour of the European Union (Notification of Withdrawal) Bill. The legislation empowered the prime minister to notify the Council of the European Union of the UK’s intention to withdraw, formally triggering the process set out in Article 50 of the Treaty on European Union. MPs supported the bill by 498 votes to 114 at second reading.

Customs union vote (2025): In December 2025, Dinenage voted against the UK-EU Customs Union (Duty to Negotiate) Bill. The bill, introduced under the ten-minute rule procedure by Liberal Democrat Europe spokesperson Al Pinkerton, sought to mandate the government to enter into negotiations with the European Union to establish a bespoke customs union.

Assisted dying

Dinenage voted in favour of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, better known as the assisted dying bill, at second reading (November 2024).

In a statement setting her position on bill, Dinenage said: “Over the last 14 years as the MP for the Gosport constituency, I have met so many constituents with the most heartbreaking stories either about themselves or about their loved ones who in their final months just didn’t have the choice to be able to cut short unavoidable pain.”

“And like many of you, I also have experiences of my own. My reservations about any legislation like this has always been that there had to be safeguards in place which protect vulnerable people from being coerced into a decision that they don’t want to take. I have looked very carefully at this legislation and heard the debate, and it does contain the most robust safeguard of anywhere in the world.”

On the third reading of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill (Assisted Dying Bill) in June 2025, Dinenage did not record a vote.

Social values and conscience issues

Abortion decriminalisation (2025): Dinenage voted in favour of a backbench amendment to the Crime and Policing Bill that sought to decriminalise abortion in England and Wales in June 2025. The amendment, which was passed by a majority of 242 votes, removed women from the threat of prosecution for ending a pregnancy at any stage. As an issue of conscience, MPs were allowed to vote according to their personal beliefs.

Same-sex marriage (2013): In February 2013, Dinenage was one of the 139 Conservative MPs to vote against the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill at its second reading. The landmark piece of legislation, which received its second reading by 400 votes to 175, legalised marriage for same-sex couples in England and Wales.

Foreign policy and security

Trident renewal (2016): Dinenage voted in favour of a government motion calling for the renewal of the Trident nuclear deterrent system in July 2016. The motion, which was passed by 472 votes to 117, committed the UK to constructing a new fleet of submarines to carry the nation’s nuclear weapons.

Syria airstrikes (2015): Dinenage voted in favour of a government motion to extend UK airstrikes against Isis from Iraq into Syria in December 2015. The motion, which was passed by 397 votes to 223 after a ten-hour debate in the House of Commons, authorised the RAF to conduct strikes against Isis targets in Syria.

Syria airstrikes (2013): Dinenage voted in favour of the government’s motion on the principle of military intervention in Syria in August 2013. The government motion was defeated by 285 votes to 272, a move which effectively ruled out UK participation in any US-led military strikes.

Before Politics

Born Caroline Julia Dinenage on 28 October 1971 in Portsmouth, her father is the broadcaster Fred Dinenage. She attended Oaklands RC Comprehensive School in Waterlooville and Wykeham House School before studying Politics and English at Swansea University.

Prior to entering parliament, she set up her own manufacturing business aged 19, supplying promotional products, for 20 years.

Personal Life

Dame Caroline has two children from her first marriage.

In 2014, she married Mark Lancaster, Baron Lancaster of Kimbolton, a Conservative peer and former MP.

Lancaster served as the MP for Milton Keynes North from 2005 to 2019, holding ministerial office in both the Ministry for Defence (MoD) (2012-2019) and the Treasury (2012-2015).

Trivia

Dinenage was named as one of Queen guitarist Brian May’s “Heroes of 2010” for her animal welfare advocacy as a patron of Conservatives against Fox Hunting.

In a Guardian article, published December 2010, May wrote: “My new heroes are Conservatives Against Fox Hunting, founded by Chris and Lorraine Platt, and led in the Commons by MPs Caroline Dinenage, Dominic Raab, Mike Weatherley and Simon Kirby.”

Dinenage established the first parliamentary netball team.

Alongside Lancaster, her husband, Dinenage once abseiled down Portsmouth’s Spinnaker Tower in aid of the MS Society. Speaking ahead of the May 2014 event, Dinenage said: “It is fantastic to be fundraising for the MS Society which does such excellent work to help those affected by this distressing disease both here in Gosport and across the UK. Nevertheless, I am ever so slightly trepidatious about the jump and am trying not to look up whenever I pass the Spinnaker Tower!”

She raised £10,000 for charity in the process.