Bernard Jenkin

Conservative MP Essex North

Date of birth

9 April 1959

Political profile

Bernard Jenkin was tipped as a rising star in the Conservative Party from his first election to the Commons in 1992.

Under Michael Howard's leadership, however, he was moved from Defence to act as Shadow Secretary of State for the Regions, a position outside the Shadow Cabinet.

The son of former Cabinet minister Patrick Jenkin, his right-wing views are shown in his membership of the Thatcherite No Turning Back group, as well as his Euroscepticism.

He formed a close alliance with Iain Duncan Smith when they both rebelled against the Major government's Maastricht Bill, and served as campaign manager of his bid for the Tory leadership.

Mr Jenkin is on the economic right of the party, supporting the minimisation of the state, but is socially liberal.

During his Westminster career, he has also served as shadow transport secretary, shadow minister for London and Opposition front bench spokesman for constitutional affairs.

He has also acted as the Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Rt Hon Michael Forsyth.

He opposes capital punishment, and was one of the few Conservative MPs to support the reduction of the age of consent for gay men.

Contact

Commons office: 020 7219 5231

[e-mail]