PATRONS
- Chris Chope OBE, MP for Christchurch, and his wife Christo
(read more)
- Dr Neil Hopkinson, Consultant Rheumatologist
(read more)
SPONSORS
- PC World, Mallard Retail Park (opp Castlepoint), Bournemouth,
tel: 0844 5610000
- Grapefuit Graphics, Fareham, tel: 01489 570055
- Blue Panda Promotions, Bournemouth,
www.bluepanda.co.uk
Patron: Chris Chope OBE, MP for Christchurch
and his wife Christo Chope
Email:
Web:
www.christchurchconservatives.com
Christopher was born in Putney, in the London Borough of Wandsworth, the son of a judge, and was educated at the
Independent St Andrew's School in Eastbourne and Marlborough College, before attending Queen's College of the
University of St Andrews where he was awarded an LLB degree in 1970, and finished his education at the Inns of
Court School of law. Chope was called to the bar at the Inner Temple in 1972. He and his wife, Christine, have
two children: Antonia and Philip.
Christopher was elected to Wandsworth Council in 1974 and was Leader of the Council from 1979 until 1983.
He served as a member of the Inner London Education Authority, a member of the Association of Metropolitan
Authorities, and a member of the London Boroughs Association. He was awarded the OBE for his services to
local government in 1982.
Christopher was Member of Parliament for Southampton Itchen from 1983 to 1992 during which time he was Minister
of State at the Treasury (1985-86); Parliamentary Private Secretary to Peter Brooke MP (1986); Parliamentary
Under-Secretary of State at the Department of Transport (1986-90); Minister for Roads and Traffic (1990-92).
Between 1992 and 1997 he became a consultant for Ernst and Young and, during this time, served as a member of the DTI
Deregulation Task Force on Transport and Communications. He also was a member of the Health and Safety Commission
(1993-97) and of the Local Government Commission for England.
He was elected Member of Parliament for Christchurch in May 1997. He was appointed Frontbench Spokesman for
Environment, Transport and the Regions and Vice-Chairman of the Conservative Party with responsibility for Local
Government. In June 1998, he was appointed Opposition Frontbench Spokesman for Social Security. In September
2001, he was appointed as an Opposition Frontbench Spokesman for the Treasury. In June 2002, he was appointed as
Shadow Minister of State for Transport. From November 2003 to May 2005, he served as a Shadow Minister for
Environment & Transport then left frontbench politics after the 2005 general election. He currently serves
on the Panel of Chairs.
Patron: Dr Neil Hopkinson, Consultant Rheumatologist
Clinical Director, Christchurch Hospital
Dr Hopkinson has recently accepted our invitation to become a second patron of our Group. He is delighted
we have asked him and hopes to come along to more of our events in the future.
