About
Peter Kyle was first elected as MP for Hove and Portslade in 2015 and has been re-elected three times. He has served as Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology since July 2024.
Since his triumph over Conservative MP Mike Weatherley in 2015, Peter’s subsequent success has seen him maintain his position with three consecutive victories, the most recent with an increased majority of 19,881 and 52.4% of the vote.
As Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, he is responsible for heading the country’s mission to become a world-leader in AI and accelerating innovation, investment and productivity through world-class science for the benefit of UK citizens. He previously served as Shadow Minister for Victims and Youth Justice, Shadow Minister for Schools, Shadow Northern Ireland Secretary, and Shadow Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology.
Since his election in 2015 Peter has led campaigns in Parliament to protect victims of domestic abuse and reform family courts, to lower the voting age to 16, and been an outspoken critic of Brexit, putting forward an amendment alongside fellow MP Phil Wilson calling for a public vote confirming any deal passed by the Conservative Government.
Locally, he has supported affordable housing, campaigned against school cuts, worked with the council to create 1,000 local apprenticeships, spearheaded the response to the Southern Rail crisis, and secured funding from Southern Water to track and prevent sea-water pollution among other campaigns and successes.
Prior to his election, he overcame difficulties with family tragedy and severe dyslexia to return to education aged 25. He was accepted on his third attempt to study at the University of Sussex, gaining a degree in geography, international development and environmental studies, ultimately graduating with a PhD in community economic development from Sussex University.
He then went on to work as an Aid worker and as a project director for the charity Children on the Edge. Working in Eastern Europe and the Balkans, he helped vulnerable children and young people in crisis recover from the Bosnian and Kosovan wars, helping to establish an orphanage in Romania which still runs today.
Peter was deputy chief executive of ACEVO, the umbrella body for the voluntary sector, championing various movements such as the anti-‘charity tax’ campaign leading to major governmental policy change. Shortly after, he headed the new charity Working for Youth, tackling the challenges of youth unemployment.
The first openly gay MP for Hove and Portslade, Peter has championed Brighton Pride.
He has lived in Hove for over 25 years.
