Conservative MP Bexhill and Battle

Date of birth

8 March 1966

Political profile

Gregory Barker's road to Westminster was rocky.

After he had won his spurs through fighting the hopeless seat of Eccles in 1997, he was selected for the safe seat of Bexhill and Battle and should have enjoyed a coast into Parliament.

However, trouble flared within the Conservative Association.

An attempt was made by some local activists to deselect him, after allegations that his CV had been exaggerated.

Conservative Central Office's own investigation exonerated him and the attempt failed.

The disgruntled rebels (including outgoing MP Charles Wardle) eventually supported a UKIP candidate, where that party secured its best share of the vote.

He is politically close to David Willetts, having worked with him at the Centre for Policy Studies - the right-wing think tank where many latter day Tory policies were developed.

Before entering Parliament, he had a varied career, mostly centred on finance, but most recently was a director of Daric, an advertising group.

Contact

barkerg@parliament.uk

Constituency office 01424 219117