{{short description|British Conservative politician}} {{Use dmy dates|date=January 2020}} {{Use British English|date=January 2020}} {{Infobox officeholder | honorific_prefix = Sir | name = Bill Wiggin | honorific_suffix = | image = Official portrait of Bill Wiggin MP crop 2, 2020.jpg | office = Chair of the Committee of Selection | term_start = 24 June 2015 | term_end = 7 July 2024 | predecessor = Geoffrey Clifton-Brown | successor = Jessica Morden | office1 = Shadow Secretary of State for Wales | leader1 = Michael Howard | term_start1 = 11 November 2003 | term_end1 = 8 December 2005 | predecessor1 = Nigel Evans | successor1 = Cheryl Gillan | office5 = Member of Parliament<br /> for North Herefordshire<br />{{nobold|Leominster (2001–2010)}} | term_start5 = 7 June 2001 | term_end5 = 30 May 2024 | predecessor5 = Peter Temple-Morris | successor5 = Ellie Chowns | majority5 = | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1966|6|4|df=y}} | birth_place = London, England | death_date = | death_place = | party = Conservative | spouse = Milly Wiggin | alma_mater = Bangor University | website = {{URL|billwiggin.com}} <!--Military service--> | nickname = | allegiance = United Kingdom | branch = Royal Welch Fusiliers | service_years = | rank = | unit = | commands = | battles = | awards = | children = 3 }} '''Sir William David Wiggin''' (born 4 June 1966) is a former British Conservative Party politician who was the Member of Parliament (MP) for North Herefordshire, previously Leominster, from 2001 to 2024.
==Early life and career== Bill Wiggin was born on 4 June 1966 in London.<ref>General Register Office Births 1966 April–June vol 5D page 1460</ref> He attended Eton College, where he was an older contemporary of David Cameron,<ref name="The Times">{{cite news | title=Sir Jerry Wiggin | website=The Times | date=2015-04-09 | url=https://www.thetimes.com/article/sir-jerry-wiggin-988fx66pn92 | access-date=2021-06-20}}</ref> and later read Economics at Bangor University, gaining a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1988.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/election/constituency/0,,200-365,00.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130505125351/http://www.timesonline.co.uk/election/constituency/0,,200-365,00.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=5 May 2013 |title=General Election 2005 |newspaper=The Times |access-date=18 October 2006 |first=David |last=Robertson}}</ref> He also served in the Royal Welch Fusiliers in the Territorial Army, being a platoon commander for Holyhead, Bangor and Caernarfon.
Following this, Wiggin worked as a Trader in Foreign Exchange Options for UBS from 1991 to 1993, then was an Associate Director of Kleinwort Benson from 1994 to 1998, then as a manager in the Foreign Exchange department of Commerzbank from 1998.<ref name="partybio">{{cite web |url=http://www.conservatives.com/tile.do?def=people.person.page&PersonID=4823 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071005202031/http://www.conservatives.com/tile.do?def=people.person.page&personID=4823 |archive-date=5 October 2007 |title=Bill Wiggin MP profile |publisher=Conservative Party |access-date=18 October 2006 }}</ref>
==Parliamentary career== Wiggin stood as the Conservative candidate for Burnley at the 1997 general election, coming second with 20.2% of the vote behind the incumbent Labour MP Peter Pike.<ref name="electoralcalculus1997">{{cite web |title=Election Data 1997 |url=http://www.electoralcalculus.co.uk/electdata_1997.txt |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111015054424/http://www.electoralcalculus.co.uk/electdata_1997.txt |archive-date=15 October 2011 |access-date=18 October 2015 |publisher=Electoral Calculus}}</ref>
At the 2001 general election, Wiggin was elected to Parliament as MP for Leominster with 49% of the vote and a majority of 10,367.<ref name="electoralcalculus2001">{{cite web |title=Election Data 2001 |url=http://www.electoralcalculus.co.uk/electdata_2001ob.txt |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111015054450/http://www.electoralcalculus.co.uk/electdata_2001ob.txt |archive-date=15 October 2011 |access-date=18 October 2015 |publisher=Electoral Calculus}}</ref>
Initially a backbencher, he became a member of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs select committee in 2002. During 2003, Michael Howard appointed him to the position of Shadow Minister for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and Shadow Secretary of State for Wales.
Wiggin was re-elected as MP for Leominster at the 2005 general election with an increased vote share of 52.1% and an increased majority of 13,187.<ref name="electoralcalculus2005">{{cite web |title=Election Data 2005 |url=http://www.electoralcalculus.co.uk/electdata_2005ob.txt |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111015054249/http://www.electoralcalculus.co.uk/electdata_2005ob.txt |archive-date=15 October 2011 |access-date=18 October 2015 |publisher=Electoral Calculus}}</ref>
During his time Shadow Secretary of State for Wales the Conservatives won three seats in Wales at the 2005 general election, the first time Conservatives had been elected as MPs for Wales since the party had lost all its MPs in Wales at the 1997 election.<ref name="BBCelection2005Wales">{{cite news |title=Labour loses safest seat in Wales |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/vote_2005/wales/4514385.stm |access-date=14 November 2021 |work=BBC Election 2005 |agency=BBC |date=6 May 2005}}</ref> Wiggin welcomed the gains, saying that "Never again will Wales be a Conservative-free zone", although he admitted that while the wins were "a good start" he would have liked the Conservatives to have gained more Welsh seats.<ref name="BBCelection2005ToriesBack">{{cite news |title=Tories back on the electoral map |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/vote_2005/wales/4513815.stm |access-date=14 November 2021 |work=BBC Election 2005 |agency=BBC |date=6 May 2005}}</ref><ref name="BBCelection2005Walesleaders">{{cite news |title=Leaders assess election shake-up |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/vote_2005/wales/4520365.stm |access-date=14 November 2021 |work=BBC Election 2005 |agency=BBC}}</ref> Wiggin also expressed regret at Howard's decision to stand down as Conservative leader after the election, adding that he thought Howard had "done a tremendous job" and was "a fantastic example to young Conservative MPs like myself".<ref name="BBCelection2005Walesleaders" /> Despite Wiggin's previous declaration, Wales has again been left without any Conservative MPs after the 2024 general election.
During parish council elections in Leominster during September 2009, Wiggin complained to the returning officer about the leaflets of a candidate who was standing to protest at Wiggin's parliamentary expenses. The candidate, Jim Miller, was disqualified by the returning officer, who was also the chief executive of the Conservative-run Herefordshire County Council. This left the Conservative candidate unopposed. According to ''The Daily Telegraph'', Miller was disqualified over a technicality that the council previously told him had been resolved.<ref name=jon>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/6183037/Bill-Wiggin-steps-in-to-silence-campaigning-council-candidate.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101020231800/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/6183037/Bill-Wiggin-steps-in-to-silence-campaigning-council-candidate.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=20 October 2010 |newspaper=The Telegraph |title=Bill Wiggin steps in to silence campaigning council candidate |first=Jon |last=Swaine |date=14 September 2009 |access-date=1 December 2009 | location=London}}</ref> The Mayor of Leominster expressed his astonishment at Wiggin's intervention. "I was just stunned that Wiggin contacted the returning officer. It's not totally blatant, but what in god's name is an MP doing poking his nose into a little parish election? I can't understand what he thinks he's up to".<ref name=jon/>
Prior to the 2010 general election, Wiggin's constituency of Leominster was abolished, and replaced with North Herefordshire. At the election, Wiggin was elected to Parliament as MP for North Herefordshire with 51.8% of the vote and a majority of 9,887.<ref name="electoralcalculus2010">{{cite web |title=Election Data 2010 |url=http://www.electoralcalculus.co.uk/electdata_2010.txt |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130726162034/http://www.electoralcalculus.co.uk/electdata_2010.txt |archive-date=26 July 2013 |access-date=17 October 2015 |publisher=Electoral Calculus}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=21 April 2010 |title=Six candidates to stand in North Herefordshire parliamentary election |url=http://www.herefordshire.gov.uk/council_gov_democracy/news/45654.asp |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110609043618/http://www.herefordshire.gov.uk/council_gov_democracy/news/45654.asp |archive-date=9 June 2011 |access-date=5 May 2010 |publisher=Herefordshire Council}}</ref>
In June 2013, Wiggin spoke in debate in favour of the badger cull, saying he supported the Government policy to "combat" bovine tuberculosis.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ledburyreporter.co.uk/news/ledbury/14739272.ledburys-mp-bill-wiggin-is-in-favour-of-badger-cull/|title=Ledbury's MP, Bill Wiggin, is in favour of badger cull|website=Ledbury Reporter|date=13 September 2016 |language=en|access-date=1 January 2019}}</ref>
In May 2014, Wiggin met with Dafydd Evans, Environment Agency Area Manager for the West Midlands, to press for action to enhance local flood defences.<ref name="BW flooding 2">{{cite news |date=7 May 2014 |title=Prepare for more floods |url=http://www.herefordtimes.com/news/11196965.Prepare_for_more_floods__/ |access-date=23 June 2014 |newspaper=Hereford Times |location=Hereford}}</ref>
Wiggin renewed his call for more beds at Hereford County Hospital following a visit in September 2014, during which he toured one of the Canadian hutted units.<ref>{{cite news |author=Gary Bills-Geddes |date=29 September 2014 |title=New Wards and Beds needed at Hospital - MP. |url=http://www.herefordtimes.com/news/11502293.New_Wards_and_Beds_needed_at_Hospital___MP_/ |access-date=2 April 2018 |work=Hereford Times}}</ref>
In December 2014, Wiggin questioned the Prime Minister David Cameron during PMQs about Hereford County Hospital and sought his support for increasing the hospital's capacity.<ref>{{cite web |date=3 December 2014 |title=House of Commons Hansard Debates for 03 Dec 2014 (pt 0001) |url=https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201415/cmhansrd/cm141203/debtext/141203-0001.htm#14120348000379 |access-date=2 April 2018 |publisher=Publications.parliament.uk}}</ref> Following Wiggin's question, the Prime Minister informed him that he would send a Minister to look at the Hospital. In February 2015 Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt paid a visit.<ref>{{cite news |title=Health Secretary uses Hereford hospital visit to take a shot at NHS Wales |url=http://www.herefordtimes.com/news/11789699.Health_Secretary_uses_Hereford_hospital_visit_to_take_a_shot_at_NHS_Wales/ |access-date=2 April 2018 |work=Hereford Times}}</ref>
At the 2015 general election, Wiggin was re-elected as MP for North Herefordshire with an increased vote share of 55.8% and an increased majority of 19,996.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ledburyreporter.co.uk/news/12939463.Election_2015__Conservatives_hold_both_seats_in_Herefordshire/ |title=Election 2015: Conservatives hold both seats in Herefordshire |date=8 May 2015 |publisher=Ledbury Reporter |access-date=2 April 2018}}</ref><ref name="electoralcalculus2015">{{cite web |title=Election Data 2015 |url=http://www.electoralcalculus.co.uk/electdata_2015.txt |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151017112223/http://www.electoralcalculus.co.uk/electdata_2015.txt |archive-date=17 October 2015 |access-date=17 October 2015 |publisher=Electoral Calculus}}</ref> Following the election, Wiggin was initially set to contest the Chairmanship of the Environment, Food & Rural Affairs Select Committee against eventual chair Neil Parish.<ref>{{cite web |author=Alistair Driver |url=http://www.fginsight.com/news/neil-parish-and-bill-wiggin-contest-efra-chairmanship-3956 |title=Neil Parish and Bill Wiggin contest EFRA chairmanship |publisher=Fginsight.com |date=5 June 2015 |access-date=2 April 2018 |archive-date=2 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180402230935/https://www.fginsight.com/news/neil-parish-and-bill-wiggin-contest-efra-chairmanship-3956 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Instead Wiggin was subsequently appointed as Chair of the Committee of Selection.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.parliament.uk/business/committees/committees-a-z/other-committees/committee-of-selection/membership/ |title=Selection Committee - Membership - UK Parliament |publisher=Parliament.uk |date=12 September 2017 |access-date=2 April 2018}}</ref>
Wiggin was again re-elected at the snap 2017 general election with an increased vote share of 62% and an increased majority of 21,602.<ref>{{cite web |date=11 May 2017 |title=2017 general election candidates for Herefordshire confirmed |url=http://www.worcesternews.co.uk/news/regional/herefordshire/15281024.2017_General_Election_candidates_for_Herefordshire_named// |access-date=12 May 2017 |publisher=Worcester News}}</ref>
He is a member of the European Research Group and signed a letter to Prime Minister Theresa May on 16 February 2018 regarding Brexit negotiations.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://blogs.spectator.co.uk/2018/02/the-european-research-groups-brexit-letter-in-full/|title=The European Research Group's Brexit letter, in full|date=21 February 2018|website=Coffee House|language=en-US|access-date=1 January 2019|archive-date=18 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190118024613/https://blogs.spectator.co.uk/2018/02/the-european-research-groups-brexit-letter-in-full/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://inews.co.uk/news/brexit/erg-brexit-group-members-jacob-rees-mogg-explained/|title=What is the ERG and which Tory MPs are members of Jacob Rees-Mogg's Brexit group?|last=Chaplain|first=Chloe|date=16 November 2018|website=inews.co.uk|language=en-GB|access-date=1 January 2019}}</ref>
At the 2019 general election, Wiggin was again re-elected with an increased vote share of 63% and an increased majority of 24,856.<ref name=":1">{{cite news |title=UK Election Results 2019: Herefordshire North |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/politics/constituencies/E14000847 |website=BBC}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Herefordshire North Parliamentary constituency |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/politics/constituencies/E14000847 |access-date=13 December 2019 |website=BBC News |publisher=BBC}}</ref>
In January 2020, Wiggin has described the trend away from eating meat as "a disaster for British agriculture." He has also advised MPs "not to be fooled" by arguments against chlorinated chicken.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Vegetarians are "a disaster for British agriculture."|date=21 January 2020|work=Daily Telegraph}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.thescottishfarmer.co.uk/news/18181385.commons-clash-chlorinated-chicken/ |title=Commons clash over chlorinated chicken |first=Claire |last=Taylor |newspaper=The Scottish Farmer |date=24 January 2020}}</ref>
He was knighted in the 2022 New Year Honours for political and public service.<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=63571|supp=y|page=N2|date=1 January 2022}}</ref>
In March 2022, Wiggin questioned Boris Johnson over his immigration record in the liaison committee and called on the prime minister to stop letting refugees ‘in rubber boats’ into the country ahead of Ukrainians and Qataris.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sir Bill Wiggin describes refugees 'in rubber boats' the 'wrong type' of asylum seeker |url=https://www.politics.co.uk/parliament/sir-bill-wiggin-describes-refugees-in-rubber-boats-the-wrong-type-of-asylum-seeker/ |access-date=2022-03-31 |website=Politics.co.uk |language=en-US}}</ref>
Wiggin was one of just two MPs, along with Christopher Chope, to oppose a Bill which proposed to ban the import of Hunting Trophies to the UK from Africa, calling it a "racist" and "neocolonial" piece of legislation which actually does not protect animals.<ref name="Hunting Trophies (Import Prohibition) Bill">{{cite news |title=Hunting Trophies (Import Prohibition) Bill Debate |url=https://hansard.parliament.uk/commons/2024-03-22/debates/2403228000001/HuntingTrophies(ImportProhibition)Bill}}</ref>
In March 2024, Wiggin was re-selected as the Conservative candidate for North Herefordshire at the 2024 general election.<ref>{{Cite web |title=NEWS {{!}} Sir Bill Wiggin to stand for North Herefordshire at forthcoming election after being re-selected by the North Herefordshire Conservatives |date=24 February 2023 |url=https://yourherefordshire.co.uk/all/news/news-sir-bill-wiggin-to-stand-for-north-herefordshire-at-forthcoming-election-after-being-re-selected-by-the-north-herefordshire-conservatives/ |access-date=7 March 2024 |publisher=Your Herefordshire}}</ref> He lost the election to the Green Party candidate, Dr Ellie Chowns, at 31.5% of the vote to Dr Chowns' 43.2%.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-07-05 |title=BREAKING: Hereford and South Herefordshire election result revealed |url=https://www.herefordtimes.com/news/24432363.hereford-south-herefordshire-general-election-2024-result/ |access-date=2024-07-05 |website=Hereford Times |language=en}}</ref>
===Expenses claims===
During the parliamentary expenses scandal the ''Daily Telegraph'' reported that Wiggin had wrongly claimed more than £11,000 mortgage payments on his Herefordshire property.<ref name="tg-11k-mortgage">{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/mps-expenses/5358100/MPs-expenses-Bill-Wiggin-claimed-11000-in-phantom-mortgage-payments.html |title=MPs' expenses: Bill Wiggin claimed £11,000 in phantom mortgage payments |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |author1=Robert Winnett |author2=Martin Beckford |author3=Nick Allen |date=20 May 2009 |access-date=4 December 2009 |location=London}}</ref> This property had no mortgage and Wiggin who had made 23 declarations that it was his main home said the expenses were claimed in error.<ref name="tg-11k-mortgage"/> The Committee found that Wiggin's mortgage claims were the result of "an unfortunate and unintended muddle" which should have been picked up much more quickly, though no cost to the public purse resulted because Wiggin was entitled to claim for the mortgage payments on his London home. The committee expressed disappointment that Wiggin had not been cooperative with the enquiry as required by the Code of Conduct.<ref name="Standards Committee Report"/>
His claims for household bills were also investigated following a complaint.<ref name="tg-watchdog">{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/mps-expenses/6582280/MPs-expenses-Bill-Wiggin-questioned-by-parliamentary-sleaze-watchdog.html |title=MPs' expenses: Bill Wiggin questioned by parliamentary sleaze watchdog |work=The Daily Telegraph |access-date=1 December 2009 |location=London |date=17 November 2009 |first=Jon |last=Swaine}}</ref> Wiggin had routinely claimed £240 a month for household bills and whilst the Standards and Privileges Committee confirmed that he could claim up to £250 a month without a receipt, this was to cover costs actually incurred.<ref name="Standards Committee Report">{{cite news |url=https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201011/cmselect/cmstnprv/526/52603.htm#a8|access-date=12 October 2010|title=Bill Wiggin - Standards and Privileges Committee Contents}}</ref>
Wiggin "chose not to" take up the committee's invitation to check his expenses with his bank and service providers and, on balance of probability they found he overclaimed expenses for council tax, telephone and workmen's bills.<ref name="Standards Committee Report"/>
In October 2010, Wiggin apologised to the House and was ordered to repay £4,009 utility expenses.<ref name="MP Bill Wiggin investigated over expenses claim">{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hereford-worcester-12690057|access-date=9 March 2011 | work=BBC News | title=MP Bill Wiggin investigated over expenses claim |date=9 March 2011}}</ref>
==Post-parliamentary career== Following his defeat at the 2024 UK General Election, Wiggin was appointed as Managing Director for Apex Group Ltd.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.politicshome.com/news/article/year-general-election-former-mps-now|title=One Year After The General Election: Where Are Former MPs Now?|last=Crowther|first=Zoe|date=6 July 2025|work=PoliticsHome|accessdate=29 April 2026}}</ref>
==Personal life== Wiggin is the son of the late Sir Jerry Wiggin, MP for Weston-super-Mare. He lives in Upton Bishop in South Herefordshire, with his wife Milly. She was previously the girlfriend of David Cameron.<ref name="The Times" /> They have three children.
In addition to acting as a Trustee of the Eveson Charitable Trust, which assigns funding to support medical research and the disadvantaged, Wiggin is patron to several local charities. His interests include motorbikes, DIY, shooting, fishing and Hereford cattle.<ref name="about">{{cite web|url=https://bwmp.wordpress.com/about/ |title=About Bill |publisher=Bill Wiggin |access-date=17 March 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110919110356/http://bwmp.wordpress.com/about/ |archive-date=19 September 2011}}</ref>
==Bibliography== * ''A Better Agenda for the Environment'' published by Exposure Publishing, an imprint of Diggory Press {{ISBN|1-84685-067-3}}
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== {{Commons category}} * [http://www.billwiggin.com Bill Wiggin MP] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140519110257/http://billwiggin.com/ |date=19 May 2014 }} homepage *{{UK MP links | parliament = bill-wiggin/1428 | hansardcurr = 4600 | hansard = mr-bill-wiggin | guardian = 5982/bill-wiggin | publicwhip = Bill_Wiggin | theywork = bill_wiggin | record = Bill-Wiggin/North-Herefordshire/562 | bbc = 25244.stm | journalisted = }}
{{s-start}} {{s-par|uk}} {{s-bef|before=Peter Temple-Morris}} {{s-ttl|title=Member of Parliament<br />for Leominster|years=2001–2010}} {{s-non|reason=Constituency abolished}} |- {{s-new|constituency}} {{s-ttl|title=Member of Parliament<br />for North Herefordshire|years=2010–2024}} {{s-aft|after=Ellie Chowns}} |- {{s-off}} {{s-bef|before=Nigel Evans}} {{s-ttl|title=Shadow Secretary of State for Wales|years=2003–2005}} {{s-aft|after=Cheryl Gillan}} {{s-end}}
{{UKParliamentCommitteeChairs}} {{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Wiggin, Bill}} Category:1966 births Category:Conservative Party (UK) MPs for English constituencies Category:Living people Category:People educated at Eton College Category:People from Westminster Category:Politics of Herefordshire Category:Royal Welch Fusiliers officers Category:UK MPs 2001–2005 Category:UK MPs 2005–2010 Category:UK MPs 2010–2015 Category:UK MPs 2015–2017 Category:UK MPs 2017–2019 Category:UK MPs 2019–2024 Category:Knights Bachelor Bill Category:Military personnel from London Category:20th-century British Army personnel Category:Alumni of Bangor University