>> A Brief Introduction

A little bit about Mark

Mark lives within the constituency at Olney having been raised and educated locally in Kimbolton. He read his first degree at Buckingham University before subsequently completing a MBA at Exeter University and was recently awarded an Honourary PhD from Buckingham University. Mark had a varied career before entering politics, serving briefly first before University as an officer in the Queens Gurkha Engineers in Hong Kong, before returning to work in the family firework manufacturing company based in Kimbolton.

Mark continues to serve in the Territorial Army as a Major and spent the 2006 summer recess on active service alongside our troops in Afghanistan. This was the third time that Mark has volunteered for active service since 2000, having previous served as part of the NATO peacekeeping force in both Kosovo and Bosnia. A passionate sportsman, Mark is a MK Dons supporter and has opened the batting for the House of Commons Cricket team. As a hobby, Mark collects and restores classic British motorcycles.

Mark takes a keen interest in Defence and business issues in the House of Commons and having first served on the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM) Select Committee. He also served on the Defence Select Committee until his promotion to the Whips Office. He is also a member of the All Party Nepal, Hong Kong, China, USA, University, Football, Cricket, United Nations and Beer groups. He also acts as an (unpaid) parliamentary advisor to the Royal Society of Chemistry.
 

Mark's Experience

Mark's interest in politics stems not from politics for its own sake, but from business, firmly believing it is the very life-blood of Milton Keynes and the local community.

Mark is an experienced campaigner and has been able to actively contribute his valuable business experience to local government for over ten years. He has previously served as a local councillor and stood as the Conservative candidate for Nuneaton in the 2001 general election.

He was elected as Member of Parliament for North East Milton Keynes in May 2005. In November 2006, Mark was appointed as an Opposition Whip and in July 2007, he was appointed as a Shadow Minister for International Development.
 

Campaigns

Mark is currently heading the following local Conservative campaigns:

   - 'I before E' ensuring that appropriate infrastructure is in place before Milton Keynes accepts any of Labours plans to force extra housing on the area.

   - Campaigning to give local residents the final say on the Government's expansion plans via the democratically elected local authority.

   - Save Milton Keynes's grid Road system especially the plans to scrap the V10.

   - Highlight Labour's neglect of the National Health Service is Milton Keynes that has lead to the local hospital's financial crisis and pressing for fair funding for the hospital that would allow it to apply for foundation status.

   - Campaigning to prevent NHS cuts locally like the decision to close The Fraser Day Hospital in Newport Pagnell.

   - Mark has recently introduced a 10 min rule Bill in support of his constituents the Golding family’s campaign to force late night clubs and bars to serve alcohol from polycarbonate glass rather than Glass after 11pm in town and city centres.