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)
Supporting the Secretary of State
- recruitment and retention
- a culture fit for those who serve
- Northern Ireland
Leading delivery on:
- AI innovation for organisational skills
- cadets
- service accommodation and families, including Royal Hospital Chelsea
- veterans, VALOUR and Armed Forces Covenant
- recruitment: regulars, reserves, civilians and supply chain
- reserves policy
- training, retention and apprenticeships
- civilian workforce, including Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA)
- service justice and Armed Forces Commissioner
- Defence Business Services
Ministry of Defence and Veterans Advisory and Pensions Committees