Our People

Tim Farron is the Chair of Christians in Parliament and was the Leader of the Liberal Democrat Party from 2015 to 2017. He has been the Liberal Democrat MP for Westmorland & Lonsdale since 2005 and previously served as Party President from 2010-2014. Tim is the Chair of the 2026 National Parliamentary Prayer Breakfast, which has as its theme ‘Hope for the Future’.

Marsha de Cordova is an officer of Christians in Parliament and has been the Labour MP for Battersea since 2017. She was Shadow Secretary of State for Women and Equalities from April 2020 until September 2021. Before entering Parliament she worked in the charity sector for over 10 years, campaigning on the issue of social security. She is also a trade unionist and a member of Unite the Union where she represented disabled workers on the London & Eastern Regional Committee and the National Disabled Members Committee. She is the Vice Chair of Disability Labour.

Rebecca Smith is an Officer of Christians in Parliament and is the new Conservative MP for South West Devon. She studied Modern History and Politics at the University of Southampton and has worked in Brussels, held various public service roles in London, and more recently, worked for the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. Returning to Plymouth in 2015, she has served as a Councillor, Chair of the Planning Committee, and Cabinet Member for Homes and Communities. Her key issues include environmental advocacy, housing, improving adoption services, and preventing violence against women and girls. 

Michael Farmer, leading global copper trader, became a Christian aged 35. A Conservative Peer since October 2014, his maiden speech described his family background as characterised by poverty, neglect, shame and both parents’ alcoholism. His father died when he was four and he was almost removed from his mother’s care. Hence, since getting involved in politics in 2007, he has developed policies to strengthen families (including of prisoners), prevent family breakdown, and support children in and leaving care. He co-founded Family Hubs Network which helped persuade Government to fund Family Hubs in all English local authorities.

Revd Mark Harris is a Senior Parliamentary Officer for Christians in Parliament. Prior to this, he worked in the financial services sector for fifteen years. He holds Masters degrees in Theology from the University of Oxford and in Philosophy from King’s College London and is ordained in the Church of England.

Claire Newman is a Senior Parliamentary Officer for Christians in Parliament. Prior to this, Claire worked in both the private and not-for profit sectors, most recently as Director of Internal Communications for Save the Children International.

Jane Powell is the Parliamentary Officer for the Christians in Parliament APPG. Following a degree in Silversmithing Jane worked for over a decade as senior designer for a firm of Silversmiths in Birmingham. She then moved to work in schools and became the Admissions Registrar for two schools before joining Christians in Parliament in September 2024.