Kristan Frederick Hopkins[1] (born 8 June 1963)[2] is a British Conservative Party politician, who was formerly the Member of Parliament for Keighley in West Yorkshire.[3] Elected in 2010, he served as Vice-Chamberlain of the Household, a government whip. He was previously Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Department for Communities and Local Government[4] and the former housing minister. He lost his seat in the 2017 general election.
Military career
editHopkins served in Kenya, Northern Ireland and Germany as a Private in the Duke of Wellington's Regiment.[5][6]
Academic career
editAccording to his CV, on leaving the Army he completed a degree in communications and cultural studies at Leeds University before going on to lecture in media theory, communications and digital media. His CV gives neither dates nor places for any of these activities. He actually studied at Trinity and All Saints College in Horsforth, Leeds (now Leeds Trinity University).[7] The college's degrees at that time were awarded externally by the University of Leeds.
Political career
editBefore being elected, Hopkins had stood twice for Parliament: he was second both to Linda Riordan in the 2005 election for the seat of Halifax, and (previously) in West Yorkshire and for the Leeds West Constituency in 2001.
Before his election to Parliament, Hopkins had been a member of Bradford Council since 1998, rising to become the council's deputy leader in 2004 and leader in 2006.
In 2012, Hopkins alleged that some Muslim gangs were targeting young white girls for rape, saying: "if we deny that fact in this House then the BNP and everybody else climbs on board" and suggested that law enforcement was hindered in pursuing them by "political correctness".[8]
In October 2013, Hopkins was appointed Minister for Housing.[9] Conservative Party colleague Nadine Dorries called the promotion of Hopkins to a junior ministerial posts "a really awful decision", describing him on Twitter as "one of parliament's slimiest, nastiest MP's".[10] Thérèse Coffey defended Hopkins, describing him as "authentic and brave"[10]
In the July 2014 reshuffle, Hopkins became minister for local government and adult social care.[11]
Following the May 2015 general election, Hopkins was appointed Vice-Chamberlain of the Household – a senior position within the whips' office. He was a losing candidate in the general election of 8 June 2017.[12] He later became a Special Adviser at the Northern Ireland Office.[13]
References
edit- ^ "No. 59418". The London Gazette. 13 May 2010. p. 8739.
- ^ "Democracy Live: Your representatives: Kris Hopkins". BBC. Retrieved 20 November 2012.
- ^ "Election 2010: Keighley". BBC News. Retrieved 7 May 2010.
- ^ "Kris Hopkins – GOV.UK". www.gov.uk. Retrieved 9 June 2017.
- ^ "Conservative MP Hopkins questions Sinn Fein expenses" news.bbc.co.uk 27 July 2010 Link retrieved 27 July 2010
- ^ Watt, Nicholas (29 April 2012). "New Conservative MPs bid to oust old guard from key committee". The Guardian. London.
- ^ "Alumni". Leeds Trinity University. Retrieved 29 May 2018.
- ^ "Muslim gang 'white rape' claim prompts row". BBC News. 13 November 2012. Retrieved 27 March 2015.
- ^ Kelly, Liam (8 October 2013). "Reshuffle: Kris Hopkins appointed housing minister". The Guardian. London.
- ^ a b "Nadine Dorries launches Twitter attack on promoted Tory MP". The Guardian. 8 October 2013. Retrieved 9 June 2017.
- ^ Kelly, Liam (15 July 2014). "Brandon Lewis promoted to housing and planning minister in reshuffle". The Guardian. Retrieved 20 August 2014.
- ^ "'I'll hit the ground running,' says Keighley's new Labour MP John Grogan after taking seat from Conservatives' Kris Hopkins". Telegraph & Argus. 9 June 2017. Retrieved 9 June 2017.
- ^ Blanchard, Jack (22 May 2018). "London Playbook: Ruth bomb for No. 10 — Manchester remembers — Hammond sandwich". POLITICO. Retrieved 20 January 2019.
External links
edit- Kris Hopkins Official website
- Profile at Parliament of the United Kingdom
- Contributions in Parliament at Hansard
- Voting record at Public Whip
- Record in Parliament at TheyWorkForYou