Johnny Mercer (politician)

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Johnny Mercer
MP
Member of Parliament
for Plymouth Moor View
Assumed office
8 May 2015
Preceded by Alison Seabeck
Majority 1,026 (2.41%)
Personal details
Born (1981-08-17) 17 August 1981 (age 42)
Kent, United Kingdom
Political party Conservative
Alma mater Royal Military Academy Sandhurst
Website Official website
Military service
Allegiance  United Kingdom
Service/branch Flag of the British Army.svg British Army
Rank Captain
Unit 29th Commando Regiment Royal Artillery
Battles/wars Afghanistan War

John Luther Mercer (born 17 August 1981) is a British Conservative politician. He is the Member of Parliament (MP) for the Plymouth Moor View, gaining the seat from Labour at the 2015 general election.[1][2]

Education

Between the years 1995–2000, Mercer was educated at Eastbourne College,[3] a co-educational independent school in Eastbourne in East Sussex, followed by RMA Sandhurst in Berkshire.

Life and career

Mercer is a former British Army Officer, and passed out with his commission from Sandhurst in 2002. After completing his studies at school, he opted to spend time working as an intern in the City of London instead of attending university.[4] Mercer rose to the rank of Captain in the 29 Commando Regiment Royal Artillery, serving in military campaigns in Afghanistan.[5]

According to Mercer, he had never even voted before standing as an MP.[6] He has said that he entered politics with a view to improving veterans' care and felt he was a Conservative because he regarded a "massive welfare state that saps the ambition and drive of a younger generation" as a problem.[5] After contacting ex-military Conservative MP Bob Stewart, he was eventually selected as the candidate for Plymouth Moor View.[5]

Seen by opinion polls as the third favourite candidate to win the seat behind the Labour incumbent and UKIP, Mercer was largely responsible for organising his own campaign "on the cheap".[5] To raise funds he worked on building sites and even appeared topless in a shower gel advert.[7] His campaign was subsequently the subject of a police investigation following allegations it breached rules on campaign literature.[8]

Mercer delivered his maiden speech in the House of Commons on 1 June 2015, describing his "main missions" in Parliament to be improving provisions for mental health and war veterans.[9]

Personal life

Mercer lives with his wife Felicity and his two young children,[4] but for two or three nights a week he sleeps on his motor cruiser named Pippa in East London.[10]

In November 2015 he attracted media attention with a radio interview where he responded to a question on whether he'd ever taken drugs by joking "You don't put diesel in a Ferrari".[11]

References

  1. ↑ The London Gazette: no. 61230. p. 9121. 18 May 2015.
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Parliament of the United Kingdom
Preceded by Member of Parliament
for Plymouth Moor View
2015–present		 Incumbent
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