Christopher Chope

Married with two children, Chris Chope has represented Christchurch since 1997, when he won the seat back from the Liberal Democrats. He was MP for Southampton Itchen from 1983 to 1992.
 
Chris has served as a member of the Privileges Committee, the Standards Committee, the Justice Committee, the Political & Constitutional Reform Committee and the Speaker’s Panel of Chairmen. He has chaired the APPGs on Mobile Homes and Road Maintenance. He is an executive member of the British-American Parliamentary Group.  Since 2005 Chris has been a member of the UK delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe where he is currently acting Chairman of the European Democrat Group. 
 
Chris held Ministerial office in the Governments of Margaret Thatcher and John Major between 1986 and 1992, latterly as Roads Minister. He also held shadow Ministerial posts under William Hague and Michael Howard.