Veteran Conservative MP Christopher Chope, a backbencher known for his controversial stance on various legislative issues, has been nominated by the Conservative Party to serve on the new Modernisation Select Committee.
The appointment has drawn sharp criticism from Labour, with many questioning Chope’s suitability for the panel given his past objections to key reforms, including laws on upskirting and female genital mutilation (FGM).
Chope, a traditionalist who has often clashed with both government and opposition MPs, made headlines in 2018 when he infamously blocked a private member’s bill aimed at making upskirting a specific criminal offence. Although the bill had government support, Chope’s objection prompted outrage across the House of Commons, including from fellow Conservatives.
He has also drawn criticism for opposing a bill to protect girls from FGM, as well as legislation granting a posthumous pardon to wartime codebreaker Alan Turing, convicted of “homosexual activity” under historic laws.
His nomination to the Modernisation Select Committee, established by Labour to review and update parliamentary procedures, has raised eyebrows across Westminster. A Labour spokesperson expressed concerns, saying: “Christopher Chope has never seen a law he hasn’t wanted to antiquate. Clearly the Tories haven’t learned from their election defeat.”
Chope has consistently maintained that his objections are based on procedural grounds, arguing that private members’ bills often do not receive adequate scrutiny. Despite his resistance, many of the reforms he opposed, such as the upskirting and FGM bills, were eventually passed with government backing.
The Modernisation Committee, chaired by Commons leader Lucy Powell, aims to drive reforms to improve parliamentary standards and culture. Despite the controversy, a government source defended Chope’s appointment, stating: “We take at face value Christopher Chope’s enthusiasm to join this committee to modernise parliament and look forward to him working constructively with committee members.”
Chope, who has served as an MP since 1983, has not yet responded to requests for comment on his nomination.
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