Dr Bob Spink

Conservative MP Castle Point

Date of birth

1 August 1948

Political profile

Bob Spink is a self-made millionaire, who rose from sweeping the floor in a mill to gaining a PhD in industrial engineering and running a string of successful companies.

A move into Tory politics - initially as a councillor in Dorset, then as MP for Castle Point - seemed a natural progression.

His run of success came to an abrupt end in 1997 when he suffered the biggest swing to Labour in the country and lost his seat.

He took the seat back in 2001, but his time in the political wilderness has not brought a Portillo style conversion.

A self-styled "rocker", he retains the same Christian right views which secured him the post of PPS to Ann Widdecombe during her time as a minister.

He is utterly opposed to abortion, extremely sceptical of asylum seekers and supports the reintroduction of capital punishment.

Contact

Constituency office 01268 792992