Stephen Metcalfe

Stephen James Metcalfe (born 9 January 1966) is a Conservative Party politician in the United Kingdom, who was first elected as the Member of Parliament (MP) for South Basildon and East Thurrock in 2010. He has served as the chairman of the Science and Technology Select Committee. Early life and career Before becoming an MP, Metcalfe worked in the family printing business. He stood unsuccessfully at the Conservative Parliamentary Candidate in Ilford South at the 2005 general election. Metcalfe was an Epping Forest District councillor and a portfolio holder for Customer Services, ICT & E-government until he stood down in order to concentrate on his campaign to be elected as an MP. As a councillor he campaigned on issues including green belt protection and the introduction of traffic calming schemes as well as working with communities to find ways of engaging the young. Parliamentary career Metcalfe gained the seat at the general election in May 2010, defeating Labour's Third Sector and Social Exclusion minister Angela Evans Smith.