Kris Hopkins

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Kris Hopkins
MP
Kris Hopkins 2015.jpg
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State Northern Ireland Office
Assumed office
17 July 2016
Prime Minister Theresa May
Sec. of State James Brokenshire
Preceded by Ben Wallace
Vice-Chamberlain of the Household
In office
11 May 2015 – 17 July 2016
Prime Minister David Cameron
Preceded by Anne Milton
Succeeded by Julian Smith
Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Communities and Local Government
In office
15 July 2014 – 11 May 2015
Prime Minister David Cameron
Preceded by Brandon Lewis
Succeeded by Baroness Williams of Trafford
Minister of State for Housing and Local Government
In office
7 October 2013 – 15 July 2014
Prime Minister David Cameron
Preceded by Mark Prisk
Succeeded by Brandon Lewis
Member of Parliament
for Keighley
Assumed office
6 May 2010
Preceded by Ann Cryer
Majority 3,053 (6.2%)
Personal details
Born (1963-06-08) 8 June 1963 (age 53)
Nationality British
Political party Conservative
Residence Oakworth, West Yorkshire
Alma mater University of Leeds (??)
Website www.krishopkins.co.uk

Kristan Frederick Hopkins[1] (born 8 June 1963)[2] is a British Conservative Party politician, who was elected at the 2010 general election as the Member of Parliament for Keighley in West Yorkshire.[3] He serves 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.

Military career[edit]

Hopkins served in Kenya, Northern Ireland and Germany as a Private in the Duke of Wellington's Regiment.[5][6]

Academic career[edit]

According to his CV, on leaving the Army he completed a degree in communications and cultural studies at a 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). The college's degrees at that time were awarded externally by the University of Leeds.

Political career[edit]

Hopkins had stood twice for Parliament before being elected, when he was second to Linda Riordan in the 2005 election for the seat of Halifax, also 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 October 2013 he was appointed Minister for Housing.[7] 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".[8] Therese Coffey defended Hopkins, describing him as "authentic and brave"[8]

In the July 2014 reshuffle, Hopkins became minister for local government and adult social care..[9]

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"[10]

Following the May 2015 general election, Hopkins was appointed Vice-Chamberlain of the Household - a senior position within the whips' office.

References[edit]

  1. ^ The London Gazette: no. 59418. p. 8739. 13 May 2010.
  2. ^ "Democracy Live: Your representatives: Kris Hopkins". BBC. Retrieved 20 November 2012. 
  3. ^ "Election 2010: Keighley". BBC News. Retrieved 7 May 2010. 
  4. ^ https://www.gov.uk/government/people/kris-hopkins
  5. ^ "Conservative MP Hopkins questions Sinn Fein expenses" news.bbc.co.uk 27 July 2010 Link retrieved 27 July 2010
  6. ^ Watt, Nicholas (29 April 2012). "New Conservative MPs bid to oust old guard from key committee". The Guardian. London. 
  7. ^ Kelly, Liam (8 October 2013). "Reshuffle: Kris Hopkins appointed housing minister". The Guardian. London. 
  8. ^ a b "Nadine Dorries launches Twitter attack on promoted Tory MP". The Guardian. 8 October 2013. Retrieved 8 October 2013. 
  9. ^ Kelly, Liam (15 July 2014). "Brandon Lewis promoted to housing and planning minister in reshuffle". The Guardian. Retrieved 20 August 2014. 
  10. ^ "Muslim gang 'white rape' claim prompts row". BBC. 13 November 2012. Retrieved 27 March 2015. 

External links[edit]

Parliament of the United Kingdom
Preceded by
Ann Cryer
Member of Parliament for Keighley
2010–present
Incumbent