Rebecca Harris, Member of Parliament for Castle Point since 2010 and since the calling of the General Election formally the Conservative Party Parliamentary Candidate for the seat, has been awarded a Damehood in HM The King’s Birthday Honours.
The top honour was awarded to Dame Rebecca for political service with the official citation mentioning her work on Brexit and domestic abuse legislation, as well as her advocacy of small businesses in the House of Commons. As a Senior Government Whip Rebecca also holds the title of ‘Comptroller of His Majesty’s Household’, the only woman to ever hold the position since its establishment in 1399. She performed ceremonial roles in the State Funeral procession and service of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in 2022 and at the Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III and Her Majesty Queen Camilla in 2023. She is also responsible for managing the business of the House of Commons every day it is sitting in session.
Commenting on her award, Dame Rebecca said:
“This is an incredible honour. It is a privilege to serve the public and Parliament and I am overwhelmed to have received this recognition. I have only ever tried to do my best for people regardless of their politics.”
“Thank you to all of those who have already been in touch expressing their warm wishes.”
Foreign Secretary and former Prime Minister, Lord Cameron, said of Rebecca’s honour:
“Rebecca has been one of the hardest working MPs in Parliament since she was first elected and her honour from His Majesty King Charles is well deserved. She has a talent for rising above the political noise in Westminster to build cross-party consensus on important legislation that all parties can agree on. Most of her efforts forever go unseen and I am pleased that she has received this recognition for her hard work.”
Dame Rebecca is the second person who has served as the MP for Castle Point to receive a top honour from the reigning monarch. Sir Bernard Braine, who served continuously as the MP representing the Castle Point area from 1955 – 1992, was awarded a knighthood in the 1972 New Years Honours List.
Sir Bernard went on to become Baron Bernard Braine of Wheatley in 1992 after standing down at that year’s General Election. At the time he was the House of Commons’ longest serving MP and ‘Father of the House’. He passed away in the year 2000.
When Dame Rebecca was first elected MP for Castle Point in 2010, she said of Sir Bernard. “Sir Bernard has a huge legacy here in Castle Point and in Westminster. The love and respect Castle Point residents still have for him and all he achieved is immense. I have heard many wonderful stories on doorsteps about how he helped residents with their individual issues and what a true gentleman he was to everyone he met. It is an honour to follow in his footsteps.”
