Quick Facts
Biography
Simon Anthony Hart MP (born 15 August 1963) is a British Conservative Party politician, who was elected in the 2010 general election and re-elected in the 2015 general election as the Member of Parliament (MP) for Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire, defeating the previous Labour MP Nick Ainger who had represented the constituency since its creation in 1997.
Early life
Hart was born in Wolverhampton and grew up in the Cotswolds. He was privately educated at Radley College before attending the Royal Agricultural College in Cirencester. He worked as a Chartered Surveyor in Carmarthen and Haverfordwest and served with the Territorial Army for five years in the Royal Gloucestershire Hussars (part of the Royal Wessex Yeomanry).
Hart was Master of the South Pembrokeshire Hunt for 10 years from 1988 to the end of the 1997/8 season.
Hart was chief executive of the pro-hunting Countryside Alliance, 2003–2010, stepping down after his election as MP. Since 2015, Hart is in receipt of £30,000 per annum for eight hours work per week from them.
Political career
Hart has been the MP for Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire since 2010.
On 27 July 2019 he was appointed Parliamentary Secretary at the Cabinet Office in Boris Johnson's administration.
Countryside Alliance and animal rights
Hart is an outspoken supporter of hunting and the badger cull. He actively campaigns to overturn the 2004 Hunting Bill and assist the National Farmers Union of England and Wales.
Upon stepping down as chief executive of the Countryside Alliance, Hart received a one off severance payment equivalent to six months' salary.
In January 2013, Hart said the RSPCA's legal role needs more oversight given its "political and commercial activities". He said that the RSPCA [has] a duty to spend its members' money wisely.
Brexit
Hart was opposed to Brexit prior to the 2016 referendum.
Personal life
Hart lives in London and Llanmill near Narberth in Pembrokeshire with his wife Abigail and their two children. He employs his wife as his office manager on an annual salary up to £35,000.