Keith Simpson (politician)

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Keith Simpson MP
Keith Simpson (politician)
Member of Parliament
for Mid Norfolk
Incumbent
Assumed office 
1 May 1997
Preceded by Richard Ryder
Majority 7,560 (13.8%)
Born 29 March 1949 (1949-03-29) (age 59)
Norwich, United Kingdom
Nationality British
Political party Conservative
Alma mater University of Hull
King's College London
Website www.keithsimpson.com

For the football player of the same name see Keith Simpson (American football).

Keith Robert Simpson (born 29 March 1949) is a politician in the United Kingdom. He is a Conservative Party Member of Parliament for Mid Norfolk, and was first elected in 1997. He is also a shadow Foreign Minister. He is distinct in the House of Commons, with 'trade mark' moustache and round glasses.

Contents

[edit] Early life

He is the son of Harry Simpson and Jean Day. Keith was educated at Thorpe Grammar School (now known as Thorpe St Andrew High School), in Thorpe St Andrew, Norfolk; the University of Hull (gaining a BA in History); and undertook post-graduate research in War Studies at King's College London.

As a military historian, Keith has been Director of Cranfield Security Studies Institute, Cranfield University, from 1991-7 and a Senior Lecturer in War Studies and International Affairs at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst from 1973-86. He is the author of five books on military history. It was also in this capacity that he was invited to debate masculine violence with a drunken Oliver Reed on an infamous edition of the late night Channel 4 television programme After Dark, broadcast on 22 January 1991.

[edit] Parliamentary career

In July 2006, Keith's constituency of Mid Norfolk was redrawn following parliamentary boundary changes. He was selected for the newly created seat of Broadland. This draws from his current constituency, the large Norfolk North seat and Norwich North. The new seat has a notional majority of 5,121 which is thought to make it a potential target seat for Liberal Democrats at the next general election. Keith had a comfortable 7,560 majority over Labour in the 2005 general election.

[edit] Experience

Keith was National Vice-Chairman of the Federation of Conservative Students from 1972 to 1973.

He was Head of Foreign Affairs and Defence at Conservative Central Office from 1986 to 1988. From 1988 to 1990, he was Political Adviser to the Secretaries of State for Defence, George Younger, and Tom King.

He was the Conservative Parliamentary candidate for Plymouth Devonport in 1992. At the 1997 General Election, Keith was elected as the Member of Parliament for Mid Norfolk with a majority of 1,336.

In July 1997 he was appointed to the Conservative Parliamentary Defence Committee. In June 1998 he was appointed a frontbench defence spokesman. From June 1999 to June 2001, he was an Opposition Whip responsible for Treasury, Home Affairs and Health. He was subsequently appointed Shadow Agriculture Spokesman in October 2001. From 2002 to 2005, he was Shadow Minister for Defence; since May 2005, he has served as Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs.

[edit] Personal life

He is particularly well known in his constituency for his campaigning for the widening of particular main roads, in response to high road fatalities. He married Pepita, daughter of Norman Hollingsworth, on 4th August 1984 at the Royal Memorial Chapel, Sandhurst. He currently lives in Reepham, Norfolk. They have one son, George. Keith's interests include reading books on history and politics which is reflected by his vast book collection. Due to this he regularly visits second-hand book shops to have a browse. He also enjoys going to the cinema with his son, whenever he has the chance.

[edit] External links

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