Patrick Mercer

Biography

Patrick was born in Newark to Arthur (later Bishop of Exeter) and Rosemary in 1956. He studied modern history at Oxford, where he represented the University at boxing.

Patrick joined the Army in 1974, rising to the rank of colonel and commanding the Sherwood Foresters regiment (with which his father had served during the Second World War). He saw active service in Bosnia and Northern Ireland, negotiated the British presence in Uganda after the 1986 civil war and helped found the Cease-Fire Committee in 1992. Leaving the Army in 1999, Patrick became a defence correspondent for the BBC's Today programme before working as a freelance journalist. He has also lectured at Cranfield University and was a member of King's College London team that designed government policy for East Timor.

Patrick was elected Member of Parliament for Newark at the June 2001 general election, winning the seat with a 7.4 percent swing - more than 4 times the national average. This is considered one of the best Conservative performances in the country.

Patrick is married to Catriona, a publisher, and has one son.

You can find out more information about me and my work for the people of Newark at my own website: www.patrickmercer.org.uk.