Past Events
Crispin Blunt MP gives Politics Talk

Mr Blunt's main enthusiasms and occupations away from work are his family and cricket. He plays for the Lords and Commons team, and the Reigate Priory Cavaliers. Other interests include travel, bridge, food and wine and historical novels.

His wealth of Parliamentary experience dates back to 1992 when he first contested a Parliamentary seat in West Bromwich East for the Conservative Party. He was special advisor to Malcolm Rifkind when he was Secretary of State for Defence, and worked in the same capacity when Malcolm Rifkind became Foreign Secretary between 1995 and 1997.

In 1997 he was elected to Parliament as Member for Reigate and was subsequently appointed to the House of Commons Defence Select Commmittee. In July 1997 he was elected as Secretary of the Conservative Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs Committee and the Conservative Middle East Council. In he joined the House of Commons Environment, Transport and Regional Affairs Select Committee.

In June 2001 Mr Blunt was re elected as Member of Parliament for Reigate with an increased majority of 8025. Iain Duncan Smith appointed him to the Opposition front bench as Shadow Minister for Northern Ireland in September 2001. In July 2002 he was appointed as deputy to Tim Yeo, Shadow Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, where he had shadow ministerial responsibility for trade, energy and science. In 2004, Mr Blunt returned to the Conservative front bench as an Opposition Whip under Michael Howard. In May 2005 Mr Blunt was returned as the MP for Reigate with an increased majority.