Here’s why people are calling on voters in Dorset to kick their MP out

Sir Christopher Chope


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On 23 November, a private members’ bill was put forward in parliament that would seek to protect children from the practice of female genital mutilation (FGM). The Conservative MP for Christchurch, Christopher Chope, objected to the bill, preventing it from progressing. In response, people on Twitter are wondering: who on earth voted for this man?

Creepy Chope

To some, Chope’s actions may seem remarkable. After all, who would object to preventing FGM? However, Chope has a history of blocking progressive private members’ bills. He claims to block them out of objection to the practice, but he’s not blocked all of them and even introduced many himself. On 15 June, Chope famously blocked the bill that would make “upskirting” illegal.

He also vetoed a bill banning the use of circus animals and blocked a bill that offered legal protections to police animals. His reputation for blocking bills even caused MPs to delay a bill that would help families to reclaim property stolen by the Nazis.

Read on...

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In addition, Chope has consistently or generally voted against:

  • Gay rights
  • Smoking bans
  • Hunting bans
  • Human rights
  • Measures to mitigate climate change
  • Raising welfare benefits inline with pricing
  • Providing additional benefits to those unable to work due to illness or disability

Furthermore, Chope has in the past voted in favour of tougher rules on immigration, the Iraq war, increased government surveillance measures. Meanwhile, he voted against “restricting the provision of services to private patients” by the NHS. More recently, he also attempted to scrap the Working Time Directive.

Christchurch, WTF?

In response to his latest objection, people have taken to Twitter to encourage the constituents of Christchurch to reconsider who represents them:

Some went as far as to literally beg the people of Christchurch to vote out Chope:

Even some Tory voters agree that Chope has to go:

Tribalism laid bare

Christchurch is one of the safest Tory seats in the South West. Despite his shameful voting record, the people of Christchurch elected him with a 49% majority. Chope’s continued presence as an MP is a clear indicator of the way in which safe seats can disenfranchise voters and protect MPs from political fallout.

It’s hard to imagine that the people of Christchurch are largely in favour of FGM. Hopefully, when they next have a chance to make their voice heard, they’ll take a stand and vote him out.

Featured image via Chris McAndrew/Wikimedia

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  • Show Comments

    1. This M.P. is too old plus still lives in dark ages
      And like all over Tory party member in Govt now
      Forgets they are all the voter’s public servant,
      Not the voters their Servant.
      ///
      All voter in U.K. pay their wages FULL STOP!
      DO NOT forget that Mr. Christopher Chope
      You are a Public servant ONLY to all of U.K.,
      Residents + voters not just them in Dorset,
      Therefore, you are, Fully accountable for your,
      own, action, in Govt plus.
      (H.O. Commons votes) SIR!
      To all of us voters in U.K.
      //
      Voter FULLY!
      Have the rights to remove Tory M.P. Mr. Chope,
      By way of no confidence in him a local leave now.
      As you wish him removed as your Tory M.P.
      Of that area.
      (So, you may do so A.S.A.P. residents O.K.)
      //
      Here’s why people are calling on voters,
      in Dorset to kick their MP out
      //
      look! resident of Dorset you may hold a by-election
      to remove your unjust M.P. form his Offices as yours,
      Govt representative.?
      (what are your rights as residents + voters?)
      //
      On looking up his dismal record in Tory Party
      You are right to remove him full stop!
      //
      Also, we free voter believe on our investigations
      he is one of the 50 + M.P. Sign up to be sacked,
      over Boundary changes anywhere,
      (Then he will be moved to House of Lords)
      as his views on people is in the Dark ages
      and being a public servant, he doesn’t like
      doing a job, he can be held accountable,
      for his own action by less well-off voters now.
      (“I you in Dorset area)
      //
      It times ALL Govt party understood they are all,
      our public servants to us voter FULL STOP!
      We voters are NOT their servants as we pay,
      their wages, They DO NOT pay our wages!

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