Introduction
Melvyn John Stride (30 September 1961) is a British Conservative Party politician.
Early life
Mel Stride was born in Ealing, London in 1961. He was educated at Portsmouth Grammar School and then Oxford University, where he was elected President of the Oxford Union.
Political career
Stride was selected as prospective Conservative candidate for Central Devon in June 2006 after his name was added to David Cameron's Conservative A-List in 2006. He was the first A-Lister to be selected.
Stride was elected as Member of Parliament (MP) for Central Devon at the 2010 general election. On 28 October 2011, Stride was appointed Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Minister of State for Further Education, Skills and Lifelong Learning, John Hayes.
Stride was opposed to Brexit prior to the 2016 referendum.