Chris Green (politician)

Green was born on 12 August 1973 in Northern Ireland during The Troubles, while his father served with the British Army. He moved back to Liverpool where his father worked in catering and his mother was employed as a school dinner lady.[5] He attended school in Liverpool before completing a Higher National Diploma qualification in physics.

Prior to being elected, Green worked as an engineer in the mass spectrometry industry for 20 years.[6] Before beginning his career as an engineer, Green worked in a variety of low-paid temporary jobs, including as a vehicle mechanic, in a picture frame factory and at a bookies.[7]

Prior to winning Bolton West, Green had contested Manchester Withington at the 2010 general election, coming third with 11.1% of the vote.[8]

At the 2015 general election, Green regained the Bolton West constituency for the Conservatives with a majority of 801 votes, the seat having been held by Labour since 1997. At the 2017 general election he increased his majority and vote share.

In 2016, he introduced a Private Member's Bill, Representation of the People (Voter Proof of Identity), requiring those on the electoral register to produce proof of identity at polling stations before voting to combat electoral fraud.[9] The policy was later included in the 2017 Conservative manifesto.[10]

During the 2015–2017 Session of Parliament, Green was elected to serve on the Science and Technology Select Committee. In 2017, he was elected to serve on the Work and Pensions Select Committee.[11] In 2018, he was appointed Parliamentary Private Secretary (PPS) to the Department for Transport,[12] but resigned from this post on 9 July 2018 over the government's Brexit position.

On 3 February 2016, Green held a Westminster Hall debate on Government investment in cycling. The preceding online digital debate, also held by Green, reached more than 2.1 million Twitter accounts—the highest number ever for a House of Commons digital debate.[13]

In Parliament, he has campaigned on funding for refuge services[14] and better transport links for his constituency. He has also been vocal in his opposition to building on greenfield land, campaigning against proposals to build on the Hulton Park Estate in his constituency.[15]

During the 2016 EU Referendum, he supported Brexit.[16]

On 8 July 2018, he resigned as a PPS over the government's Brexit position, citing the lack of total removal from the EU.[17]

On 16 November 2018, Green confirmed that he had submitted a letter calling for a vote of no confidence in the Prime Minister Theresa May.[18]

In August 2019, Green was appointed as a Parliamentary Private Secretary in the Department for Education following the arrival of Boris Johnson as Prime Minister.[2] His role is to assist Education Ministers in policymaking and to liaise between the department and backbenchers".[2] He stepped down from this position on 13 October 2020 due to his disagreement with the government's approach to coronavirus restrictions.[19]

In July 2020, Green apologised after he retweeted a poem which referenced antisemitic tropes about a 'New World Order' and the Rothschild family.[20]

Green is a keen runner, having taken part in the 2017, 2018 and 2019 London Marathons to raise funds for Bolton Hospice, Fortalice, a women's refuge in Bolton and Derian House Children's Hospice.[21][22]

• Profile at Parliament of the United Kingdom
• Contributions in Parliament at Hansard
• Voting record at Public Whip
• Record in Parliament at TheyWorkForYou