Conservative MP West Suffolk

Date of birth

24 September 1946

Political profile

Richard Spring entered the Commons in 1992 and has slowly moved up within the party's ranks.

His loyalty and ambition has sometimes been tempered by a tendency to act against his own best interests.

Initially a pro-European supporter of John Major, his first stint as a parliamentary private secretary to Sir Patrick Mayhew, ended after he was forced to step down following personal indiscretions.

He eventually became a PPS again, but did not progress further while the Conservatives were in power.

In opposition, he became more Eurosceptic as the mood of the party shifted and was eventually made a junior foreign affairs spokesman, leading the party's opposition to the Nice Treaty.

In September 2004, he switched to join the economic affairs team.

He supported Michael Portillo in the 2001 leadership election.

He is also interested in small businesses and has led a campaign against bull bars on cars.

Contact

Constituency office 01638 669391