Conservative and Unionist Party MP for Christchurch.
One of Westminster's most distinctive backbenchers, Christopher Chope voted against his own party in July 2026 by acting as a teller against the Conservative position on early prisoner release — one of only two rebel votes in a parliamentary record that otherwise shows near-total party loyalty at 99.2%. His more consequential recent activity has been on the National Security (State Threats) Bill, where in June 2026 he voted to oppose the government's time allocation, backed amendments to preserve judicial oversight, and supported new oversight clauses — a pattern consistent with his strong pro-parliamentary-scrutiny stance (79% aligned). He has also tabled work on Covid vaccine compensation and successfully lobbied the Department for Education to reopen a local special needs school site.
Chope's participation rate of 47% sits well below the Commons average, though his 228 contributions across 84 debates suggest he is selective rather than disengaged. His voting record is firmly conservative on tax (100% anti-tax increases, 0% pro-progressive taxation) and on Lords scrutiny (100%), but he diverges from his party by scoring notably lower on consumer protection and, historically, on crime-related votes. Economy, local government, and health dominate his speech topics. His deviations from party average are relatively small, making him a broadly reliable Conservative vote rather than a serial rebel.
The context most constituents will know is older: in 2018 and 2019 Chope blocked upskirting and FGM criminalisation bills using procedural objections, generating sustained negative coverage and a deselection petition. Recent local news — largely neutral across culture, crime, and transport stories — shows no comparable controversy. His committee memberships on Procedure and Modernisation align with his evident interest in how Parliament operates. Voting data covers 565 divisions since 1 May 1997; speech-level data is available from 2026.
Sir Christopher Chope is the Conservative MP for Christchurch, and has been an MP continually since 1 May 1997.
Top eight by total divisions voted, this parliament. Volume measures engagement, not direction — see Notable Votes for free-vote moments and rebellions.
Source · The Public Whip · Hansard
Moments where the whip was free, or where Chope broke ranks. Free votes are the truer signal of personal stance.
| Date | Bill / motion | Vote | Whip |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 Jul 2026 | Opposition Day: Early release of prisoners | No | vs party |
| 13 Nov 2024 | Draft Windsor Framework (Non-Commercial Movement of Pet Animals) Regulations 2024 | No | Freevs party |
Source · Hansard
“The government should focus on adaptation to the inevitable 3.5–4.5°C warming by end-of-century rather than attempting to prevent climate change.”
“The fit and proper person test exists but needs proper implementation; local authorities lack expertise to enforce; complex ownership issues raised in 2017 remain unresolved; priva…”
“Previous forced mergers like Bournemouth-Poole have resulted in increased council tax, debt accumulation, and service inefficiency despite local opposition, showing reorganisation …”
“Fundamental problem is DVSA being state-controlled without competition; privatisation would enable faster access to driving tests.”
Select, joint and other committees Chope currently sits on. Committee work is where much of the line-by-line scrutiny of bills and departments happens, away from the chamber.
| Committee | Role | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Procedure Committee | Member | Select |
| Energy Security and Net Zero Committee | Member | Select |
| Modernisation Committee | Member | Select |
| Panel of Chairs | Member | Select |
Source · UK Parliament Committees API
Committee seats are where backbenchers shape legislation and hold departments to account. Chope sits on 4.
| Department | Qs | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Department of Health and Social Care | 77 | 36.0% |
| Treasury | 46 | 21.5% |
| Home Office | 20 | 9.3% |
| Ministry of Justice | 14 | 6.5% |
| Department for Energy Security and Net Zero | 10 | 4.7% |
| Department for Work and Pensions | 7 | 3.3% |
| Department for Transport | 7 | 3.3% |
| Department for Education | 6 | 2.8% |
With reference to the oral contribution of the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Business and Trade in response to the hon. Member for Christchurch on 17 June 2026, Official Report, column 841, what progress he has made on responding to that correspondence.
Awaiting answer.
Whether the Department of Health and Social Care or NHS England made or commissioned a clinical or patient safety impact assessment of the duty in paragraph 11C(2) of Schedule 3 to the National Health Service (General Medical Services Contracts) Regulations 2015, inserted by SI 2026/532, before that instrument was laid before Parliament.
Awaiting answer.
What the average time is between a Universal Credit enquiry being referred to the Agents Contact Team and resolution of that enquiry.
Awaiting answer.
When will HM Courts & Tribunals Service reference number 175329227331384 (a) be listed and (b) be heard.
Awaiting answer.
Name of company or organisation: Carclew Limited
Name of company or organisation: Carclew Limited
(Updated 20 June 2017) |
Director of Carclew Limited, a small private company which provides business con Director of Carclew Limited, a small private company which provides business consultancy services but excludes advice on parliamentary or pu… |
Joint Treasurer of the British-American Parliamentary Group. This is an unpaid r Joint Treasurer of the British-American Parliamentary Group. This is an unpaid role.
Date interest arose: 12 July 2023
(Registered 31 Janu… |
Retired barrister.
Retired barrister.
(Updated 1 June 2015) |
Name: Christine Chope
Name: Christine Chope
Relationship: Spouse
Role: Secretary
Working pattern: Full time |
Source · Members API · Last amended 14 Apr 2026
| Category | £ | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Staffing | 219,334 | 88.0% |
| Office Costs | 21,152 | 8.5% |
| MP Travel | 3,693 | 1.5% |
| Accommodation | 3,198 | 1.3% |
| Staff Travel | 1,864 | 0.7% |
| Total · 95 claims | 249,241 | 100% |
Source · IPSA · FY 24_25
Nothing tabled for Chope on the published Order Paper this week.
| Year | Constituency | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Christchurch | 16,941 | 35.8% | Won |
| 2019 | Christchurch | 33,894 | 65.2% | Won |
| 2017 | Christchurch | 35,230 | 69.6% | Won |
| 2015 | Christchurch | 28,887 | 58.1% | Won |
| 2010 | Christchurch | 27,888 | 56.4% | Won |
| Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Christopher ChopeWON | Con | 16,941 | 35.8 |
Showing the MP’s own row only. Full result table: see Christchurch →