Giles Watling

Giles Francis Watling (born 18 February 1953) until 2024, losing his seat to Reform UK leader Nigel Farage. He previously stood for the seat in its by-election in 2014, losing to former Conservative turned UKIP member Douglas Carswell. Prior to entering politics he was an actor, appearing in British theatre and television productions, including portraying the vicar Oswald in Carla Lane's sitcom Bread from 1988 to 1991.

Early life and education Giles Watling was born on 18 February 1953 in Chingford, London.

Acting career Watling has worked extensively in British theatre and on television, and is probably best known for his portrayal of the vicar Oswald in Carla Lane's series Bread.

Political career

Tendring District Councillor Watling served as a Conservative councillor for Frinton ward on Tendring District Council from the 2007 election until 2016.

Member of Parliament

On 10 September 2014 Watling was shortlisted in the Conservatives' open primary at Clacton to select the party's candidate for the Clacton by-election and was adopted following a public meeting on 11 September 2014. At the by-election, Watling came second with 24.6% of the vote behind the incumbent UK Independence Party (UKIP) MP Douglas Carswell, who previously served as a Conservative but left that party and joined UKIP earlier in 2014.

At the 2015 general election, Watling again contested Clacton as the Conservative candidate, coming second behind Douglas Carswell, who won 44.4% of the vote.

Watling was elected to Parliament as MP for Clacton at the snap 2017 general election, at which Carswell chose to retire, with 61.2% of the vote and a majority of 15,828. He was returned as MP for Clacton at the 2019 general election with an increased vote share of 72.3% and an increased majority of 24,702.

Following an interim report on the connections between colonialism and properties now in the care of the National Trust, including links with historic slavery, Watling was among the signatories of a letter to The Daily Telegraph in November 2020 by the Common Sense Group of Conservative parliamentarians, which accused the National Trust of being "coloured by cultural Marxist dogma, colloquially known as the 'woke agenda.

Watling lost his seat in the 2024 general election to Reform UK candidate and leader Nigel Farage.

Post-parliamentary career Following his defeat at the 2024 UK General Election, Walting told PoliticsHome that he would "retire from politics" and suggested he might "go back to showbiz", but in the meantime he would "take it easy, do a bit of gardening, and get to know my wife properly again".

Filmography

Personal life

Watling is the younger brother of the actress Deborah Watling and younger half-brother of actress Dilys Watling.

Watling married Vanda Brinkworth in 1979.

Watling is a member of the Garrick Club, Frinton Cricket Club, Walton and Frinton Yacht Club and Frinton War Memorial Club.