About Geoffrey
Geoffrey was the Member of Parliament for Cirencester & Tewkesbury from 1992-1997, and has been the Member for the Cotswolds since 1997 following changes made by the Boundary Commission.
Since becoming a Member of Parliament Geoffrey has campaigned tirelessly on a huge range of issues reflecting the diversity of concerns across such a large constituency. Examples include the successful opening of the Brockworth bypass, ensuring the retention and enhancement of Cirencester Hospital, lobbying for funding for the redoubling of the North Cotswolds line which was received in 2008, and dealing with the after effects of the 2007 flooding.
As a fellow farmer and countryman Geoffrey has always fought hard for the farming community and to protect the unique natural beauty and needs of the Cotswolds from misunderstanding by urban centric Governments.
In Westminster he has served as Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Rt. Hon Douglas Hogg QC MP, the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food during the BSE Crisis; Secretary of European Affairs Back Bench Committee; a Member of the Environment Select Committee; Vice-Chairman of the Charities Property Association; Chairman of the All Party Group on Population, Development and Reproductive Health; Vice-Chairman of the Small Business Bureau and European Atlantic Group. Geoffrey was the author of a Bow Group paper entitled "Privatising the State Pension - Secure Funded Provision for All".
He has served as a Public Accounts Commissioner, and as a Member of the Public Accounts House of Commons Select Committee. In October 2001, he was appointed a Frontbench Spokesman for Transport, Local Government & the Regions. In June 2002, he became a Shadow Minister for Local & Devolved Government Affairs. In March 2004, he was appointed as an Opposition Whip and in May 2005, he became Assistant Chief Whip. He is currently the Chairman of the All Party Wine Group, and has been a member of the Finance and Services Committee since 2005.
On the election of David Cameron as Leader of the Conservative Party, Geoffrey was appointed the Shadow Minister for Trade & Foreign Affairs until 2007 when he became Shadow Minister for International Trade and Development working for Ken Clarke QC MP and Andrew Mitchell MP.
Geoffrey was born in 1953, and educated at Tormore School in Kent; Eton College and the Royal Agricultural College, Cirencester, where he graduated as an Associate of the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors. Prior to entering Parliament, Geoffrey was an Investment Surveyor.
He has a son who has recently graduated with a degree in Business Studies and Spanish and daughter who is currently training to become a solicitor.