Tom has served as the Member of Parliament for Tonbridge since 2015.
From 2022 to 2024, Tom served as Security Minister, overseeing Britain's efforts to protect against domestic and foreign threats. He authored the National Security Act 2023, updating national security laws to address modern risks like cyber threats. Tom focused on combating Islamist radicalisation, Iranian influence, and Russian and Chinese activities, leading to the arrest and charging of more spies from these nations than in the previous decade. He also led efforts to combat online child exploitation, fraud, and cyber-crime in collaboration with international partners.
As a backbencher, Tom was elected by MPs to serve as the Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee, a role he held from 2017 to 2022. He was among the first to warn of foreign corrupt practices as a threat to UK security and the spread of malign influence from authoritarian states.
Before being elected as an MP, Tom served on military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. He also worked for the Foreign Office, helping to set up the National Security Council of Afghanistan and the government in Helmand Province. On returning to the UK, Tom served as the Military Assistant to the Chief of the Defence Staff, the professional head of the UK Armed Forces.
Tom is a Dementia Friend and an active supporter of the Alzheimer's Society while being a Honorary Fellow at St Augustine’s College of Theology in West Malling, and Patron of Hospice the Weald, YMCA West Kent and Spadework in Offham. He is also a Vice-Patron of the Kent Autistic Trust and Honorary Member of the Rotary Club of Tonbridge.
Tom studied Theology at the University of Bristol, followed by a Master’s degree in Islamic studies at Cambridge University, which included learning Arabic in Yemen.
Tom and his wife Anissia have two children.