Lee Dillon

Lee Raymond James Dillon  (born 1983) is a British Liberal Democrat politician who has been the Member of Parliament (MP) for Newbury since 2024. He gained the seat from Conservative, Laura Farris.

Before entering Parliament, Dillon was a social housing senior manager for sovereign housing and had served as Leader of West Berkshire Council from 2023 to 2024.

Early political career
Dillon describes former Newbury MP, David Rendel, as his political inspiration.

Dillon became a councillor on Thatcham town council in 2007, twice elected as the mayor. In 2015, he became a councillor on West Berkshire Council.

At the 2023 local elections, the Liberal Democrats took majority control of West Berkshire Council. Subsequently, Dillon was elected council leader. He took sabbatical leave from the role in January 2024, before resigning as leader on 30 April 2024 to contest the Newbury constituency in the upcoming general election.

Parliamentary career
Dillon first stood for election at the 2005 general election in Islwyn, coming third with 12.5%. He again stood for election for the Newbury constituency in the 2019 general election, coming second with 30.6%.

In 2023, Dillon was re-selected as the Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate for Newbury. He went on to win the constituency at the 2024 general election with 40.1%, winning the seat for the Liberal Democrats for the first time since 2001.

Personal life
Dillon grew up in Thatcham, where his family owns a local pub.

Dillon has a wife and young children. His father was a trade union official.

A keen football fan, he regularly takes his children to watch Reading F.C., and supports his local team, Thatcham Town F.C.