 After David Cameron became Conservative leader, he recommended Patel for the party's "A-List" of prospective candidates.She was first elected MP for Witham, a new seat in Essex, at the 2010 general election, before being re-elected in 2015, 2017 and 2019.Under Cameron's government, Patel was appointed Minister of State for Employment and served as vice-chair of the Conservative Friends of Israel.