Christopher Brocklebank-Fowler
Christopher Brocklebank-Fowler (born 13 January 1934) was a British politician, best known for being the sole Conservative Member of Parliament to defect to the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
Parliamentary Career
After unsuccessfully contesting West Ham North in 1964, Brocklebank-Fowler entered Parliament as a Conservative MP at the 1970 general election, representing the constituency of King's Lynn. This seat was abolished at the February 1974 general election, when Brocklebank-Fowler was elected for the new North West Norfolk seat.
In 1981, Brocklebank-Fowler defected to the SDP in somewhat dramatic fashion, crossing the floor during a parliamentary debate on the budget to join the Social Democratic grouping.[1][2] However, at the 1983 general election the Conservatives regained North West Norfolk with a majority of about 3,000. Brocklebank-Fowler contested the seat again at the 1987 general election, but lost by a much wider margin.
Later Career
After the SDP's merger with the Liberal Party to form the Liberal Democrats, Brocklebank-Fowler contested the South Norfolk constituency at the 1992 general election, but once again finished second. In 1996, Brocklebank-Fowler joined the Labour Party.[3]
References
- ↑ "Budget Resolutions and Economic Situation". Hansard. 16 March 1981. pp. Series 6 Vol.1 c.43. Retrieved 6 July 2015.
- ↑ Crewe, Ivor and King, Anthony, SDP: The Birth, Life and Death of the Social Democratic Party (Oxford University Press, 1995), p.99.
- ↑ Anthony Bevins "Ex-Tory MP makes Labour his latest stop", The Independent, 22 October 1996
- Who's Who 2003 (A&C Black Ltd.)
External links
- Hansard 1803–2005: contributions in Parliament by Christopher Brocklebank-Fowler
| Parliament of the United Kingdom | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Derek Page |
Member of Parliament for King's Lynn 1970–Feb 1974 |
Constituency abolished |
| New constituency | Member of Parliament for North West Norfolk Feb 1974–1983 |
Succeeded by Henry Bellingham |