“The work we do - the breadth, depth and quality of it, the soft power we wield and the contribution we make to the health, wealth and prosperity of the U.K. and the world - should be a source of uncontroversial national pride.”

British politician

Dame Penelope Mary Mordaunt is a British politician and Conservative Party member, known for serving in senior government roles and representing Portsmouth North from 2010 to 2024. Born in 1973, she was Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons from 2022 until 2024. Mordaunt became widely known in national politics through her ministerial work and her bid for the Conservative leadership in 2022, which she lost to Liz Truss. She remained MP for Portsmouth North until the 2024 general election, when she lost the seat to Labour’s Amanda Martin.