Priti Patel, the brash Brexiteer

Priti Patel entered parliament in 2010 as part of a fresh group of Conservative MPs who began their careers in the wake of the expenses scandal. Widespread anger with politicians intent on feathering their own nests made this intake more determined to exert their independence.

The new MP for Witham — described as a Thatcherite on the right of the party — was soon being viewed as a rising star, elected quickly on to the 1922 Committee that represents Tory backbenchers and tipped for promotion into a ministerial role. The charismatic MP would soon be talked about as a possible future leader.

Patel, whose parents were immigrants originally from the Indian state of Gujarat, was first appointed as the UK’s Indian diaspora champion in 2013. In July 2014, she was made exchequer secretary in the Treasury and in May 2015, she became employment minister in the Department for Work and Pensions.

Patel then quickly became one of the most visible and outspoken members of the Vote Leave campaign team. Patel — who backed Theresa May in the Conservatives’ post-referendum leadership battle — was rewarded with a cabinet role as the government tried to ensure a balance of pro-leave and proremain ministers.