A senior Conservative MP is dividing his time between his constituency in Lincolnshire and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), where his partner has relocated with their children. Richard Tice, the deputy leader of the Reform UK party and MP for Boston and Skegness, has been commuting between the UK and Dubai in recent months.
Tice’s partner, journalist Isabel Oakeshott, moved to Dubai some time ago, and the couple are now maintaining their relationship across the 3,500-mile distance. Tice insists he remains fully committed to his parliamentary duties and constituency work, ranking among the top 10 most active backbench speakers. However, he acknowledges the value of international experience and points to the success of the UAE as a model for the UK’s economic development.
“My family built their first ever skyscraper in Dubai in the mid-70s, so we have known the place for a long time,” Tice said. “It’s growth is amazing.” In contrast, he is critical of the UK’s economic trajectory, warning that “smart people are leaving the country” due to high taxes, regulations and the government’s net-zero policies.
Oakeshott, who is working from Dubai as an international editor at Talk TV and a columnist for the Daily Telegraph, cited Labour’s “pernicious tax on private schools” as a factor in her decision to relocate. She maintains her support for Tice’s “shared ambition for a thriving Britain” despite their geographical separation.
Tice’s party leader, Nigel Farage, has reportedly been too occupied with other international engagements to visit the couple in Dubai. The Reform UK party has been making significant gains in the polls, challenging the Conservatives’ dominance.
This arrangement highlights the growing trend of British politicians and professionals seeking opportunities abroad, even as they maintain their domestic political and professional commitments. The balance between international exposure and local representation remains a delicate issue for lawmakers navigating the evolving global landscape.
