Chris was born in 1978 in Wolverhampton in the Black Country. His mother was born at Rosemary Ednam Maternity Hospital in Dudley and his sister was born in Wordsley hospital. Chris attended Wolverhampton Grammar School and Oxford Brookes University where he gained a degree in politics & modern history and where he joined the Conservative Party. Upon graduation Chris joined his family firm, Keltruck Limited (www.keltruck.com), which is based in the Black Country, where he had previously always worked during holidays and on Saturdays. Three years later he attended the Imperial College Business School where he gained an MBA.
Chris was appointed marketing director of Keltruck in January 2006. His involvement over many years in his family business - which has a depot on Oak Lane, Kingswinford in the Dudley South constituency - has given him an invaluable insight into the challenges faced by Black Country businesses, not just his family's but the wide cross section of businesses Keltruck deals with. Customers include hauliers, logistics companies, manufacturers, builders, food companies, oil companies, retailers, bus & coach operators, local authorities and fire brigades. Chris is also active within the Black Country Chamber of Commerce and is concerned about the ever increasing levels of red tape and bureaucracy imposed upon businesses by this Labour Government.
Chris lives in Pensnett, in the heart of the Dudley South constituency which covers Brierley Hill, Brockmoor, Kingswinford, Netherton, Pensnett, Wall Heath, St. Andrews, Woodside and Wordsley. As the local candidate, Chris remembers the Merry Hill shopping centre being built in the 1980s on the site of the former Round Oak Steelworks in Brierley Hill by Roy and the late, great Don Richardson. Chris has always used the Merry Hill centre and is proud to know the entrepreneurs behind its creation. Chris views the Merry Hill as a prime example of how free enterprise can regenerate areas and create jobs when the right conditions are created.
Chris's other interests include sport and fitness (swimming, squash, tennis and skiing) and travelling. Chris can often be seen swimming lengths at the Crystal and Dudley leisure centres or playing squash at the Dudley and Thorns leisure centres in the Dudley Borough.
Chris Kelly's Experience
Chris has been a member of the Conservative Party since 1996 and has held numerous positions in the voluntary party since that time, mainly in the Black Country. After graduating from business school Chris worked for the Rt. Hon. Michael Howard QC MP whilst he was Leader of the Conservative Party up until the leadership election in December 2005. During his time working for Michael Howard Chris gained an invaluable insight into the work of a dedicated constituency MP, something he now wishes to emulate for the people of Dudley South.
Whilst studying for an MBA Chris interned, as part of the research team, at the ‘no’ campaign against Britain joining the euro (the main keep the pound campaign) during the Treasury’s assessment of the Government’s six economic tests for euro entry.
Chris’s political interest and activism dates back to the age of 14 when he wrote his first ever letter in the Express & Star questioning the increase in the price of entry to the council baths!
Campaigning on...
The town of Dudley lies between Birmingham and Wolverhampton on the western fringe of the West Midlands conurbation. Local people are fiercely proud of Dudley's own distinctive identity and heritage.
The parliamentary seat of Dudley South is situated to the west of Dudley town centre and largely consists of residential suburbs with some rural fringes.
Conservatives currently hold 9 of the 18 council seats (not including some polling districts in Quarry Bank and Dudley Wood).
Local Conservative Councillors and activists campaign with Chris on a variety of different issues in the constituency including:
- Traffic congestion
- Mismanagement of the NHS
- Rising crime and anti-social behaviour
- Opposing Labour's closure of three post offices in Dudley South
Under Conservative control Dudley MBC has been rated a 4 star, excellent authority.
Dudley South is a great place to live and work but has been poorly served by its Labour MP. Chris will put the Dudley South constituency and the interests of local people first by campaigning on the issues that matter locally, giving a strong voice for Dudley South.
Visit the Facebook group 'Chris Kelly for Dudley South'