Calvin Bailey | |
|---|---|
 Official portrait, 2024 | |
| Member of Parliament forLeyton and Wanstead | |
| Assumed office 4 July 2024 | |
| Preceded by | John Cryer |
| Majority | 13,964 (32.0%) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1977 or 1978 (age 46–47) Zambia |
| Political party | Labour |
| Children | 4 |
| Alma mater | |
| Awards | Member of the Order of the British Empire |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Branch/service | Royal Air Force |
| Years of service | 1999-2024 |
| Rank | Wing Commander |
| Commands | No. LXX Squadron RAF No. 903 Expeditionary Air Wing |
Calvin George BaileyMBE (born 1977) is a BritishLabour Party politician and formerRoyal Air Force officer who has beenMember of Parliament (MP) forLeyton and Wanstead since2024.[1]
Bailey was born in 1977 inZambia.[2] As a child, his family moved to London,[2] where Bailey grew up inPlumstead and attended a now defunct comprehensive school.[3] He was friends with the brother ofStephen Lawrence who was murdered in a racially motivated attack in 1995, is now "very embarrassed to say" to say that heillegally carried a knife in the aftermath.[2][4]
Bailey graduated with aMaster of Engineering (MEng) degree from theUniversity of Exeter in 1999. He later completed aMaster of Arts (MA) degree in war studies atKing's College London in 2017.[3]
On 3 October 1999, Bailey was commissioned in theRoyal Air Force with the rank ofpilot officer.[5] He was promoted toflying officer on 3 April 2000,[6] and toflight lieutenant on 3 April 2001.[7]
In 2013, he was awarded theAir Medal by the President of the United States "in recognition of meritorious, gallant and distinguished services during coalition operations in Afghanistan".[8] In February 2015, he was appointedMember of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) "in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in the field during the period 1 October 2013 to 30 June 2014".[9] He received theRoyal Air Force Long Service and Good Conduct Medal in 2018.
Bailey was promoted towing commander on 30 August 2016.[10] In 2020, he wasofficer commandingNo. 903 Expeditionary Air Wing as part ofOperation Shader.[11] In May 2021, he became officer commandingNo. LXX (70) Squadron RAF which operated theAirbus A400M Atlas.[12] He was the detachment commander of the deployed Air Mobility Forces duringOperation Pitting, the UK's military operation to evacuate British nationals and eligible Afghans from Kabul Airport, Afghanistan.[13] It was his decision to double the number of passengers taken per flight, as the risk of overloading the aircraft was outweighed by the risk to the lives of those who would have been left behind.[14]
Bailey retired from the Royal Air Force after 24 years and seven months of service, having been elected a Member of Parliament.[15]
On 4 July 2024, Bailey was electedMember of Parliament (MP) forLeyton and Wanstead with 20,755 votes (47.5%) and a majority of 13,964.[1] On 24 July 2024, he made hismaiden speech during a debate on theGlobal Combat Air Programme.[15]
In November 2024, Bailey voted in favour of theTerminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, which proposes to legaliseassisted suicide.[16]
Bailey has four children, two daughters and two sons.[3] He has been aparent governor ofSt John's Marlborough,Wiltshire, since March 2003.[3][17]
Wing Commander Calvin Bailey, the Detachment Commander of the deployed Air Mobility Forces as part of Op PITTING overseeing the flying operations
| Parliament of the United Kingdom | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Member of Parliament forLeyton and Wanstead 2024–present | Incumbent |
