Damian Collins was elected as the Conservative MP for Folkestone and Hythe in Kent. He was reelected in 2019 with a a majority of 21,337.
The Folkestone and Hythe constituency covers the two towns that make up its name on the Kent Coast, alongside the smaller town of New Romney. This seat contains Dungeness nuclear power station and the Channel Tunnel. This has long been a safe Conservative constituency which was formerly represented by the Conservative Leader and former Home Secretary, Michael Howard. It also contains Saltwood Castle, once the home to the Conservative MP and diarist, Alan Clark.
Collins was appointed as Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport by Boris Johnson in July 2022. He was reappointed to the role by Liz Truss in September 2022, but left the government when Rishi Suank became prime minister in October 2022.
Damian Collins was born in 1974. He was educated at St. Mary’s High School, and Belmont Abbey School, Herefordshire. He graduated in Modern History from St Benet’s Hall, Oxford in 1996. During his time at Oxford, Collins appeared on the TV show, University Challenge.
After leaving university he worked for the Conservative Research Department before working for ten years for the advertising agency, M&C Saatchi advertising. He then worked for Lexington Communications before becoming an MP.
Collins was Chair of the Commons Culture Select Committee between 2016 and 2019. He voted Remain in the 2016 EU referendum, and backed Boris Johnson in the 2019 Conservative Party leadership contest.
In 2016, Collins wrote a biography of Sir Philip Sassoon, himself once the MP for Hythe.
Damian Collins is Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Groups on Media Freedom; and Media Literacy. He is Vice Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Groups on Show Racism the Red Card; and Football Supporters.
Colllns is married with two children. He is a Manchester United fan.
Email: damian.collins.mp@parliament.uk
Personal Website: www.damiancollins.com
Twitter: twitter.com/DamianCollins
