Christopher Chope

From Skeptical Voter Wiki

Christopher Chope is the Conservative MP for Christchurch.

Contents 1 Climate Change 2 Abortion 3 Sex Education 4 Homeopathy 5 Religion 5.1 Cornerstone Group 5.2 Blasphemy Law 6 References 7 External Links

Climate Change

On 28th October 2008, Mr Chope was one of only three MPs (plus two tells) to vote against the Climate Change Bill^[1][2].

Abortion

In May 2008 in the abortion amendments to the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill (now Act), Christopher Chope voted for the abortion time limit to be lowered to 16 weeks against scientific and medical consensus which is currently 24 weeks^[3]. After four separate parliamentary votes on varying time limits, the majority of MPs voted to keep the abortion time limit at 24 weeks, in keeping with scientific and medical consensus, hence no abortion amendments were added to the bill.

Sex Education

In May 2011 Mr Chope voted in favour of Nadine Dorries' Sex Education (Required Content) "10 minute" Bill^[4]. The Bill stated that "such education must include information and advice on the benefits of abstinence from sexual activity"^[5]. It was criticised for only applying to sex education for girls, not boys, with critics also pointing to evidence that abstinence-only sex education (which does not necessarily lead to abstinence itself) does not protect young people from unwanted pregnancies or STIs^[6] (although this was not a bill advocating abstinence-only sex education, it would have meant that the only required elements of sex education would be basic information on reproduction^[7], plus this new content on abstinence, with further content being up to the individual school)^[8]. The Bill passed its first reading by 67 votes to 61, but had little chance of becoming law and was withdrawn in January 2012 shortly before its second reading^[9].

Homeopathy

Chope signed the March 2007 Early Day Motion 1240 calling for the positive recognition of homeopathic hospitals.^[10]

When asked by journalist Tom Whipple what evidence the MP had used in deciding to support the motion, Chope responded, "My support for homeopathic hospitals is based upon the experience of my constituents as recounted to me." ^[11]

Religion

Cornerstone Group

Christopher Chope is a member of the Cornerstone Group, a group within the Conservative Party that describes itself as believing in "the spiritual values which have informed British institutions, our culture and our nation's sense of identity for centuries, underpinned by the belief in a strong nation state."^[12]. Their website includes articles on Conservative and Christian political issues.

Blasphemy Law

On 6th May 2008, Christopher Chope voted against a Lords amendment to abolish the common law offences of blasphemy and blasphemous libel^[13]. The amendment was nonetheless passed by a vote of 378 to 57.

References

1. ↑ http://www.publicwhip.org.uk/division.php?date=2008-10-28&number=298&mpn=Christopher_Chope
2. ↑ http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200708/cmhansrd/cm081028/debtext/81028-0021.htm#08102914000611
3. ↑ http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200607/cmselect/cmsctech/1045/104502.htm
4. ↑ http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201011/cmhansrd/cm110504/debtext/110504-0001.htm#stpa_o51
5. ↑ http://services.parliament.uk/bills/2010-12/sexeducationrequiredcontent.html
6. ↑ http://www.thetwentyfirstfloor.com/?p=2325
7. ↑ http://www.drpetra.co.uk/blog/what-do-we-want-from-sex-and-relationships-education/
8. ↑ http://educationforchoice.blogspot.co.uk/2011/04/abstain-from-abstinence-please-dorries.html
9. ↑ http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/2012/jan/20/nadine-dorries-sexual-abstinence-bill-withdrawn
10. ↑ http://www.parliament.uk/edm/2006-07/1240
11. ↑ http://statsdontlie.wordpress.com/2007/11/19/responses-from-signatories-to-homeopathy-motion/
12. ↑ http://cornerstonegroup.wordpress.com/about/
13. ↑ http://www.publicwhip.org.uk/division.php?date=2008-05-06&number=170&display=allvotes

External Links

• http://www.christchurchconservatives.com/
• http://www.parliament.uk/biographies/commons/christopher-chope/25799
• http://www.theyworkforyou.com/mp/?pid=10103
• http://www.publicwhip.org.uk/mp.php?id=uk.org.publicwhip/member/1502
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christopher_Chope

Why not help us expand this page with more details of this politician's positions on skeptical issues?

• E-Mail them to ask for their opinions (and tell us about it by editing this page!)
• Check their voting record and other details at the External Links listed above.
• Search the media for mentions of them and their positions on issues.
• Use your own brilliant ideas - but make sure you can back them up with a citation!