Chris Chope was elected as the Conservative Member of Parliament for Christchurch in 1997, being reelected in 2019 with a majority of 24,617. He previously was the MP for Southampton Itchen between 1983 and 1992.
The Dorset constituency of Christchurch is found on the eastern border of the county with Hampshire. Known as one of the retirement capitals of the UK, this constituency contains the highest proportion of voters over 60 in the UK. Although the Liberal Democrats won a surprise by election here in 1993, this area has voted Conservative at every General Election since the war, and it is one of the party’s safest seats in the UK. Bournemouth airport can be found in this area.
Many decades ago, Chope served in the Thatcher government as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Department of Transport (1986-90); and then in the Major government as Minister for Roads and Traffic (1990-92).
Chope was born in 1947. He was educated at Marlborough College, University of St Andrews and Inns of Court law School. He was called to the Bar in 1972. He was elected to Wandsworth Council in 1974 and was Leader of the Council from 1979 until 1983.
He supported Leave in the 2016 Brexit referendum and is positioned on the right of the Conservative Party.
He has previously developer a particular reputation for filibustering Private Members Bills (talking them out) in the House of Commons, sometimes in controversial fashion. In 2018 he came to public attention for talking out a proposed bill that planned to prohibit up-skirting.
Chris Chope is Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Park Homes; and Secretary of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Historic Vehicles.
He and his wife, Christine, have two children. He employs his wife as his secretary.
Email: chopec@parliament.uk
Personal Website: http://www.christchurchconservatives.com/
