David Curry

Conservative MP Skipton and Ripon

Date of birth

13 June 1944

Political profile

When Michael Howard took over as leader, he promoted David Curry to shadow cabinet status, keeping to his promise to lead from the centre of the Party.

Curry was appointed Shadow Secretary of State for Local and Devolved Government Affairs, placating the left and pro-European sections of the Party.

In March 2004, however, he stood down for family reasons.

He was first elected to the Commons in 1987 having spent 10 years as an MEP. Previously he worked as a journalist for the Financial Times.

He is regarded as one of the most intellectually able MPs and was quickly promoted into government.

After a stint at MAFF, he served as Minister for Local Government under John Major and seemed set for a brilliant career.

However, his pro-European views were out of step with the mood of the Tory party in opposition and he resigned from the shadow cabinet in 1997 over William Hague's policy of ruling out the single currency for 10 years.

In June 1998, he was one of the 18 Conservative MPs who voted for 16 as the age of homosexual consent.

After a spell on the backbenches he became chair of the Commons agriculture select committee, and in 2001 became the first chair of the environment, food and rural affairs select committee.

In this role, he demonstrated his skills for incisive questioning and attention to detail.

In the 2001 leadership contest, he was a leading Clarke supporter.

Contact

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Constituency office 01756 792092