Former Brighton councillor becomes CBE

A Brighton nurse who went into politics and ended up as Minister for Health has been honoured by the King, becoming a CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire).

Maria Caulfield worked at the Royal Sussex County Hospital, in Brighton, before she stood for the Conservatives in a safe Labour council seat and won.

She spent four years representing Moulsecoomb and Bevendean on Brighton and Hove City Council, from 2007, including a stint as the cabinet member for housing.

She also became an urban shepherdess as part of an environmental project that used sheep and cattle to graze public open spaces.

At the 2015 general election, she stood for the Tories in Lewes, winning the seat from the Liberal Democrats, spending nine years in Parliament, until the Lib Dems won the seat back last July.

During her time as an MP, she held various positions including vice-chair of the Conservative Party for women under former Prime Minister Theresa May.

She served on the House of Commons Women and Equalities Committee, among others, and as parliamentary private secretary (PPS) to Transport Secretary Grant Shapps.

In 2020, she volunteered to return to work in the NHS during the coronavirus pandemic.

In 2021, she became a junior health minister and was promoted less than a year later to Minister of State for Health.

Her ministerial work in her final two years in Parliament included responsibility for mental health and women’s health strategy. She was also the Minister for Women.

At the dispatch box in July 2022, she replied to a question from Lanour MP Hilary Benn by saying: “As someone who has suffered a stroke myself, I am very aware of the urgency of seeing stroke patients on time.”

Mrs Caulfield, 51, was made a CBE for political and public service. She has returned to her former career as a nurse. She researches gynaecological cancers at the Royal Marsden, in London.

In her teens, her mother died from breast cancer, spurring her to become an NHS nurse and to work in cancer research.

Last night she said: “I am delighted to receive the award and never expected this but pleased that the work we did in government to improve women’s health has made a difference.

“I am back nursing now at the Royal Marsden and carrying on the work of improving women’s health.”

Mrs Caulfield was honoured nine years after her husband Steve Bell was also appointed a CBE.

Mr Bell, 69, served as the leader of the Conservative opposition group on the council until the 2023 local elections, having represented Woodingdean since 2015.