Calvin Bailey MBE MP
Biography
Calvin Bailey was born in Zambia and raised in Southeast London. An RAF scholar, he read Engineering and Engineering Management at the University of Exeter. He was elected as the MP for Leyton and Wanstead in July 2024 and appointed Minister for Veterans and People in the Ministry of Defence in June 2026.
He commissioned as a pilot into the RAF in 1999, flying predominantly C-130 and A400M aircraft. He deployed on operations worldwide, including time in Afghanistan, Haiti, Cyprus, Sudan and Iraq. He also helped established the Armed Forces Chronic Conditions and Disabilities Network and chaired the RAF Ethnic Minorities Network.
As a Parliamentarian he has been a member of the House of Commons Select Committee on Defence, Chair of the Armed Forces Community All Party Parliamentary Group.
He was awarded the US Air Medal for his service with the US Air Force in 2007 and the MBE in 2013. He is married, with four children.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Minister for Veterans and People)
- implementation of relevant SDR Vision and Recommendations
- recruitment and renewing the contract between the nation and those who serve
- Veterans policy and delivery (including VALOUR)
- Office for Veterans Affairs
- Armed Forces Commissioner
- Armed Forces People and Families
- civilian workforce (including RFA)
- Defence Business Services (including legal, pensions and compensation)
- Armed Forces Covenant
- retention and incentivisation, including training skills and development
- Service resettlement and transition
- Reserves
- Cadets
- Defence culture – including oversight of the Raising our Standards Programme and Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
- Armed Forces Parliamentary Scheme
- Service Justice System and Service Complaints