Sir Julian Murray Lewis born 26 September 1951 is a British Conservative Party politician who has represented New Forest East as the Member of Parliament (MP) since 1997. He has served as the Chair of the Intelligence and Security Committee (ISC) since 2020, taking over from Dominic Grieve. In addition to his current role, Lewis has previously chaired the Defence Select Committee (HCDC) from 2015 to 2017 and again from 2017 to 2019. He is the first parliamentarian to have chaired both the ISC and the HCDC. A strong advocate for the British strategic nuclear deterrent, Lewis has campaigned for the renewal of the UK’s Trident programme, which was confirmed in 2016, and has pushed for Defence spending to be restored to 3% of GDP.
Julian Lewis Biography 2024
In 2020, Lewis had the Conservative Party whip removed after successfully standing against Boris Johnson’s preferred candidate, Chris Grayling, for the ISC chairmanship. However, the whip was reinstated later in 2020. A prominent Eurosceptic, Lewis is a supporter of pro-Brexit groups like Leave Means Leave and the European Research Group (ERG). He was among the 28 Conservative MPs, known as the ‘Spartans’, who voted against Theresa May’s EU Withdrawal Agreement on all three occasions, believing it amounted to “Brexit in Name Only.”
Julian Lewis Biography Details
| Born | Julian Murray Lewis 26 September 1951 (age 73)
Swansea, Glamorgan, Wales |
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| Nationality | British |
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| Political party | Conservative |
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Other political
affiliations | Labour (1976–1978; entryist) |
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| Alma mater | - Balliol College, Oxford (MA)
- St Antony’s College, Oxford (DPhil)
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| Awards | Knight Bachelor |
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Julian Lewis Early Life
Julian Lewis was born on 26 September 1951 in Swansea into a Jewish family, the son of a tailor and designer. He attended Dynevor Grammar School, where he competed in the BBC1 quiz show Top of the Form in 1966, reaching the semi-finals before losing to Fairfield Grammar School of Bristol. Lewis later went on to study at Balliol College, Oxford, earning a BA (later promoted to MA) in Philosophy and Politics. He continued his studies as a postgraduate at St Antony’s College, Oxford, where he completed a DPhil in Strategic Studies in 1981, with a thesis on British Military Planning for Post War Strategic Defence, 1942–1947.
From 1976 to 1978, Lewis became involved in a campaign to expose entryism by the Militant tendency in the Labour Party. Funded secretly by The Freedom Association, he temporarily took control of the Newham North East Constituency Labour Party to highlight this issue. He later returned to Oxford to continue his studies and also joined the London Division of the Royal Naval Reserve, serving as a Seaman on the HMS Glasserton, a minesweeper based in Southampton.
In the 1980s, Lewis emerged as a leading critic of the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament and other left-wing movements. He became a director of the Coalition for Peace through Security, which advocated for the replacement of the Polaris missile system with Trident and the deployment of NATO cruise missiles to counter Soviet threats. This advocacy played a role in the success of the 1987 Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty, which was a key part of U.S. President Ronald Reagan’s Zero Option proposal.
Political Career Overview
Julian Lewis Political Role | Years |
Member of Parliament (New Forest East) | Elected in 1997, has held the position since then. |
Chair of the Intelligence and Security Committee (ISC) | Assumed office in 2020, following Dominic Grieve. |
Chair of the Defence Select Committee (HCDC) | Served from 2015 to 2019, overseeing key defense matters. |
Shadow Minister for the Armed Forces | Held this position from 2005-2010. |
Career in the Conservative Party
Role within Conservative Party | Details |
Eurosceptic Stance | Supporter of Leave Means Leave and European Research Group (ERG). |
Challenge for ISC Chairmanship | Stood against Boris Johnson’s candidate, Chris Grayling, in 2020. |
Party Whip Removed and Restored | Removed temporarily in 2020, restored by December 2020. |
Leadership and Defense Views
Leadership and Defense Focus | Facts |
Trident and Nuclear Deterrence Support | Advocates for the renewal of the UK’s nuclear deterrent program, Trident. |
Defense Spending Advocacy | Calls for defense spending to reach 3% of GDP, citing military needs. |
Opposition to Military Cuts | Actively opposes cuts to military capacity, such as the early removal of HMS Albion and HMS Bulwark. |
Early Career
Aspect | Details |
Birth and Early Life | Born in Swansea, from a Jewish family. |
Education | Studied Philosophy and Politics at Balliol College, Oxford. DPhil from St Antony’s College, Oxford. |
Military Service | Served in the Royal Naval Reserve (1979-1982) aboard HMS Glasserton. |
Military Strategy and Defense Views
Military Views | Information |
Opposition to Nuclear Disarmament | A vocal critic of the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND). |
Advocacy for NATO’s Deterrence Strategy | Supported the deployment of NATO cruise missiles to counter Soviet threats. |
Parliamentary Inquiries Led by Julian Lewis
Inquiry Title | Details |
Shifting the Goalposts? | Focused on defense expenditure and NATO’s 2% pledge, highlighting the need for 3% GDP for defense. |
UK Military Operations in Syria and Iraq | Analyzed disparities in airstrike levels and the effectiveness of ground forces in the region. |
Personal Views on Foreign Policy
Foreign Policy Stance | Points |
Critique of Syria Strategy | Challenged the UK’s reliance on “moderate” Syrian forces and advocated for a more realistic military strategy. |
Position on North Korea | Advocates for containment and deterrence over military intervention. |
Academic Contributions
Academic Contributions | Details |
DPhil Dissertation | “British Military Planning for Post-War Strategic Defence, 1942–47”. |
Published Works | Authored works on nuclear deterrence and counter-insurgency strategy. |
Defense Committee Reports Under Julian Lewis
Report Title | Data |
“Shifting the Goalposts?” | Discussed defense expenditure and the 2% NATO pledge. |
“An Acceptable Risk?” | Investigated the risks associated with Lariam, an anti-malarial drug used by military personnel. |
Views on the UK Military and Naval Power
Naval Power Focus | Details |
Royal Marines and Amphibious Capability | Led the charge to save amphibious assault ships from early decommissioning. |
Support for Trident | Advocates for the maintenance of the UK’s strategic nuclear deterrent. |
International Relations and Defense
International Relations | Facts |
UK-France Defense Cooperation | Launched a joint inquiry with the French Defense Committee on future cruise/anti-ship weapons. |
NATO and European Defense | Strong advocate for UK’s role within NATO and military collaboration with European nations. |
Controversies and Public Statements
Controversial Statement | Information |
Opposition to EU Withdrawal Agreement | Voted against Theresa May’s Brexit deal, believing it was “Brexit in Name Only.” |
Criticism of “Moderate” Syrian Fighters | Described the claim of 70,000 moderate fighters as “magical” and questioned their effectiveness. |
Professional Military Background
Military Service | Details |
Royal Naval Reserve | Served as Seaman on HMS Glasserton in the Royal Naval Reserve (1979-1982). |
Anti-Nuclear Advocacy | Led campaigns against nuclear disarmament movements during the 1980s. |
Influence on Defense Legislation
Legislation Focused on by Lewis | Data |
Trade Union and Political Education Laws | Contributed to legislation restricting political activities in trade unions and schools. |
Broadcasting Act Reforms | Worked on legislation to enforce impartiality in politically sensitive broadcasts. |
Political Influence and Leadership
Leadership Style | Facts |
Known for Independence | Often challenges party lines, seen as a voice of dissent on issues like defense and Brexit. |
Respected by Peers | Described as one of the most vigorous right-wingers in the Conservative Party. |
Personal Life and Public Persona
Personal Life and Public Persona | Details |
Public Reactions to Views | Known for outspoken and sometimes controversial political stances. |
Constituency Engagement | Prefers traditional methods of communication, rejecting email as a means for constituents to contact him. |
Julian Lewis Net Worth
Lewis has an NIL valuation of about $2.1 million.
Julian Lewis Summary
Julian Lewis is a distinguished Conservative politician known for his firm defense and security views. He has led significant inquiries in Parliament, particularly in defense spending, military operations, and the future of the UK’s nuclear deterrent. A passionate Eurosceptic, Lewis has consistently opposed what he perceives as inadequate Brexit deals and has championed a higher defense budget. With a background in both military service and academia, his influence extends across multiple facets of national and international security. His parliamentary journey reflects a commitment to both traditional values and a strategic approach to national defense.
