Christopher Chope

Conservative MP Christchurch

Date of birth

19 May 1947

Political profile

Christopher Chope was first elected in the Conservative landslide of 1983 to represent the seat of Southampton Itchen.

He had demonstrated his devotion to the Thatcherite policies of privatisation as leader of Wandsworth council, and soon became a junior minister at the Departments of the Environment and Transport.

However, his ministerial career was cut short when he lost his seat in 1992.

He returned as MP for Christchurch in 1997.

Under Iain Duncan Smith, however, he served as a member of the Treasury team and, in the 2002 reshuffle reflecting the resignation of Stephen Byers, took on the high profile role of Shadow Transport Minister.

Under Michael Howard, he joined the shadow environment and transport team.

Mr Chope is on the hard economic right of the party, and is a member of the 'No Turning Back' group. He is chairman of the Thatcherite Conservative Way Forward.

He has also said that he would never accept UK entry in to the Euro.

Contact

Constituency office 01202 474949