Timothy Kirkhope
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Timothy John Robert Kirkhope (born April 29, 1945) is a British politician, and Member of the European Parliament for Yorkshire and the Humber for the Conservative Party. He was first elected to the European Parliament in 1999.
Kirkhope was head of team for European Election in June 2004; Conservative Spokesman on Justice and Home Affairs, Member of the European Convention preparing Policies for the future of Europe 2000 –2002, Chairman Kirkhope Commission on Asylum 2003, First Vice-Chairman of the European Democrats 2004-2005, Chairman Kirkhope Commission on Immigration 2004, Leader of the Conservative Delegation in the European Parliament 2005
Timothy Kirkhope was born in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and educated at the Royal Grammar School there and subsequently at the Law Society College of Law in Guildford before qualifying as a Solicitor in 1973. He was a Senior Partner in Newcastle law firm Wilkinson Marshall Clayton and Gibson (now Eversheds) until election to Parliament in Westminster in 1987.
Between 1982 and 1986 he was a Northumberland County Councillor and a Member of the Newcastle Airport Board of Directors. He obtained a Private Pilot’s Licence in 1983. He was very active in Hospital Broadcasting being the Chairman of Radio Tyneside for some years. He still maintains those links. He was also very active in Charitable work for the Macmillan Cancer Relief organization in Newcastle and the Family Service Unit movement.
After Election to Westminster in 1987 as the Member of Parliament for Leeds North East he became Parliamentary Private Secretary to David Trippier at the Department of the Environment in 1989. In the same year, he was responsible for a new piece of legislation (The Parking Act 1989) which was designed to help motorists find better provision for their parking needs. He joined the Government first as an assistant Whip in 1990, becoming a Senior Whip in 1992 (a Lord Commissioner to the Treasury), and Vice-Chamberlain of the Household in 1995 before leaving the Whips’ office to become Under-Secretary of State at the Home Office responsible for Immigration, Border Controls, Gambling and Licensing Policy, and Horseracing.
On leaving Westminster in 1997 Timothy returned to Legal Practice and Business activity. He is currently a Non-Executive Director of the Bournemouth and West Hants Water Company.
In June 1999 he was elected to the European Parliament for Yorkshire and The Humber (population 5 million) becoming the Conservative Spokesman on Justice and Home Affairs and the Chief Whip of the delegation that year. He also served on the Culture, Media, Arts Education and Youth Committee between 1999 and 2002. In 2002 became the Conservative Party representative on the new Convention established to consider the future course for Europe made up from European Parliament Members (16) Members of National Parliaments (2 from each of 15 States), and other senior European Statesmen and Women. In December 2002 Timothy was re-selected by Conservative Members in Yorkshire and The Humber to head the list of candidates in the European Parliament elections in June 2004.
In Spring 2003, Timothy was asked by the then Shadow Home Secretary Oliver Letwin to look into the workings of the UK Asylum system and to make proposals for future party policy. The Kirkhope Commission worked for several months and produced a comprehensive report with 20 specific recommendations.
In July 2004, Timothy was elected as the first Vice-Chairman of the European Democrats. After the success of his Asylum Commission, Timothy was asked to head another Kirkhope Commission on Immigration. This report was presented to the Shadow Home Secretary David Davis during the summer of 2004. Most recently, in December 2004, Timothy was elected Leader of the Conservative Delegation in the European Parliament.
[edit] External link
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by: Sydney Chapman |
Vice-Chamberlain of the Household 1995–1996 |
Succeeded by: Andrew MacKay |
| Parliament of the United Kingdom | ||
| Preceded by: Keith Joseph |
Member of Parliament for Leeds North East 1987–1997 |
Succeeded by: Fabian Hamilton |
