Goodwill is a member of the Cornerstone Group of Conservative MPs. He describes himself as a "staunch Eurosceptic"[2] but supported Remain in the EU referendum.[3]
In September 2001,he participated in the European Parliament Observer Mission on the Presidential Election in Belarus.[8] In 2003,Goodwill criticised the Council of the European Union's proposal to ban smoky bacon flavoured crisps,calling it "over the top" and "disproportionate to the possible risks."[9] During the 2004 European Parliament election campaign,The Guardian classed Goodwill as "pro-war" as a result of his supporting a motion in the European Parliament that said the Iraq War was inevitable and the result of Saddam Hussein's actions.[10]
In August 2005,Goodwill co-authored a letter to The Spectator with five other newly elected Conservative MPs,criticising the "decadent" nature of British society.[11] In the 2005 Conservative Party leadership election,Goodwill supported Liam Fox's candidacy,declaring his support on 14 October 2005.[12][13]
After spending 18 months as a member of the TransportSelect Committee,he was appointed an Opposition Whip by David Cameron in 2006 and promoted to the post of Shadow Roads Minister in the Transport team in 2007. He was re-elected with an increased majority of 8,130 at the 2010 general election and appointed to the government as a Whip with responsibility for Treasury and DEFRA business. Goodwill is secretary of the All Party Parliamentary Flag Group.[14]
In the October 2013 ministerial reshuffle,he became Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport,replacing Norman Baker.[15] Goodwill was given responsibility for aviation policy[16] Goodwill had previously established himself as a strong opponent of a third runway at Heathrow,inviting Greenpeace members to plant a tree in his constituency as a gesture of "solidarity" with opponents of Heathrow expansion.[16] Goodwill was re-appointed to his position as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport following the 2015 general election and the election of a Conservative majority government. He was the minister responsible for cycling,aviation,road safety,walking and High Speed 2.[17] He was promoted to Minister of State at the Department of Transport in December 2015.
In January 2016,the Labour Party unsuccessfully proposed an amendment in Parliament that would have required private landlords to make their homes "fit for human habitation.". According to Parliament's register of interests,Goodwill was one of 72 Conservative MPs who voted against the amendment who personally derived an income from renting out property. The Conservative Government had responded to the amendment that they believed homes should be fit for human habitation but did not want to pass the new law that would explicitly require it.[18]
In the 2016 European Union membership referendum,in which the UK voted to 'Leave' the EU by 52% to 48%,Goodwill supported a 'Remain' vote[3] despite stating on his own website he was a "staunch Eurosceptic".[2]
Goodwill was dismissed from the post of Children's Minister on 9 January 2018.[20]
Goodwill joined the Environmental Audit Select Committee on 22 January 2018 and the Northern Ireland Affairs Select Committee on 5 March 2018. He remained on these two committees until he rejoined the government in March 2019,when he became Minister of State for Agriculture,Fisheries,&Food,replacing George Eustice who had resigned over Brexit.
In May 2022,Goodwill was elected as chairman of the Environment,Food,and Rural Affairs Select Committee.[26] He is a member of Conservative Friends of the Countryside,a right-wing group that advocates for the use of neonicotinoid pesticides (which have been banned in the EU as they are lethal to bees),opposes the re-introduction of wild beavers to the UK,supports the burning of peatland (which can have adverse environmental effects) and opposes a ban on imports of endangered animals killed for trophy hunting.[27]
In 2000,whilst working as a Conservative MEP,Goodwill highlighted the generous allowances given to MEPs when he stated that he bought return air tickets from Bradford to Brussels for £160 and claimed,legally,£500.[29] The Conservative Party criticised his actions. Goodwill later donated £2,000 to local charities following feedback from constituents.[30]
He married Maureen Short in November 1987 in North Yorkshire,and they have two sons (born May 1989 and June 1991) and a daughter (born May 1994). He employs his wife as a part-time caseworker on a salary just under £30,000.[32]
He was once the chairman of the cereals and livestock committee of the North Yorkshire National Farmers Union (1986–1988). He takes a keen interest in steam engines and owns several;he once brought an engine back from the former Czechoslovakia to restore it.[citation needed] He stepped in to save the Scarborough Pleasure Ship,Coronia,in January 2011 so that the historic Dunkirk-veteran vessel can continue to be based in the harbour there.[33]
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