John Maples
Encyclopedia
John Cradock Maples, Baron Maples (born 22 April 1943) is British
politician
. A member of the Conservative Party
, he served as a Member of Parliament
(MP) representing Lewisham West from 1982 to 1992 and Stratford-upon-Avon
from 1997 to 2010. He was made a life peer
in 2010.
, before going on to Cambridge University
where he read Law at Downing College
and received an MA in 1964. He then studied at the Harvard Business School
. He was called to the Bar at the Inner Temple
in 1965.
, until he lost the seat at the 1992 general election
. He re-entered Parliament as MP for Stratford-upon-Avon in 1997
. He held the seat, one of the safest Conservative seats, in both the 2001 and 2005 general elections.
Maples was a member of William Hague
's shadow cabinet from 1997 to 2000, holding the posts of Shadow Health Secretary (1997–1998), Shadow Defence Secretary (1998–1999) and Shadow Foreign Secretary (1999–2000), controversially calling for Britain to help Vladimir Putin
in the Second Chechen War
. In the reshuffle prompted by the return of Michael Portillo
to the front bench, he lost his job to Francis Maude
and left the shadow cabinet.
He returned to the front bench in a minor reshuffle in November 2006, when David Cameron
appointed him Deputy Chairman of the Conservative Party with responsibility for candidate selection. He replaced ex-shadow cabinet minister Bernard Jenkin
. Because of Cameron's high-profile attempts to have more female and minority candidates selected, which has met with some opposition from local parties, the post is seen as an important one.
Maples was widely believed to be one of the main "plotters" behind the downfall of former Conservative party leader Iain Duncan Smith
.
In the 2009 MP's expenses scandal
it emerged that Maples had claimed the Royal Automobile Club
as his principal residence.
On 10 January 2010, Maples announced that he would stand down from the House of Commons at the 2010 general election, which was held that May.
John Maples entered the House of Lords on 24 June 2010, as Baron Maples of Stratford-upon-Avon in the County of Warwickshire.
During a Lords debate on voting reform in November 2010, Lord Maples compared Lewisham West unfavourably with his other former constituency Stratford-upon-Avon, saying they "could not be more different". He claimed that Lewisham West was "three square miles of concrete", did not have an "identity", and that many of its constituents "did not know which borough they lived in". He added that Stratford-upon-Avon had a "very articulate" electorate and Lewisham West had "immigration and housing problems".
While an MP, Maples was president of the Conservative Friends of Israel.
in December 1986 in Westminster. The couple have a son, Tom (born May 1989), and daughter, Rose (born September 1992).
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
. A member of the Conservative Party
Conservative Party (UK)
The Conservative Party, formally the Conservative and Unionist Party, is a centre-right political party in the United Kingdom that adheres to the philosophies of conservatism and British unionism. It is the largest political party in the UK, and is currently the largest single party in the House...
, he served as a Member of Parliament
Member of Parliament
A Member of Parliament is a representative of the voters to a :parliament. In many countries with bicameral parliaments, the term applies specifically to members of the lower house, as upper houses often have a different title, such as senate, and thus also have different titles for its members,...
(MP) representing Lewisham West from 1982 to 1992 and Stratford-upon-Avon
Stratford-on-Avon (UK Parliament constituency)
-By-elections:-Notes and references:...
from 1997 to 2010. He was made a life peer
Life peer
In the United Kingdom, life peers are appointed members of the Peerage whose titles cannot be inherited. Nowadays life peerages, always of baronial rank, are created under the Life Peerages Act 1958 and entitle the holders to seats in the House of Lords, presuming they meet qualifications such as...
in 2010.
Early life
Maples was educated at Marlborough CollegeMarlborough College
Marlborough College is a British co-educational independent school for day and boarding pupils, located in Marlborough, Wiltshire.Founded in 1843 for the education of the sons of Church of England clergy, the school now accepts both boys and girls of all beliefs. Currently there are just over 800...
, before going on to Cambridge University
University of Cambridge
The University of Cambridge is a public research university located in Cambridge, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest university in both the United Kingdom and the English-speaking world , and the seventh-oldest globally...
where he read Law at Downing College
Downing College, Cambridge
Downing College is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge. The college was founded in 1800 and currently has around 650 students.- History :...
and received an MA in 1964. He then studied at the Harvard Business School
Harvard Business School
Harvard Business School is the graduate business school of Harvard University in Boston, Massachusetts, United States and is widely recognized as one of the top business schools in the world. The school offers the world's largest full-time MBA program, doctoral programs, and many executive...
. He was called to the Bar at the Inner Temple
Inner Temple
The Honourable Society of the Inner Temple, commonly known as Inner Temple, is one of the four Inns of Court in London. To be called to the Bar and practise as a barrister in England and Wales, an individual must belong to one of these Inns...
in 1965.
Parliamentary career
Maples was the MP for Lewisham West from 1983United Kingdom general election, 1983
The 1983 United Kingdom general election was held on 9 June 1983. It gave the Conservative Party under Margaret Thatcher the most decisive election victory since that of Labour in 1945...
, until he lost the seat at the 1992 general election
United Kingdom general election, 1992
The United Kingdom general election of 1992 was held on 9 April 1992, and was the fourth consecutive victory for the Conservative Party. This election result was one of the biggest surprises in 20th Century politics, as polling leading up to the day of the election showed Labour under leader Neil...
. He re-entered Parliament as MP for Stratford-upon-Avon in 1997
United Kingdom general election, 1997
The United Kingdom general election, 1997 was held on 1 May 1997, more than five years after the previous election on 9 April 1992, to elect 659 members to the British House of Commons. The Labour Party ended its 18 years in opposition under the leadership of Tony Blair, and won the general...
. He held the seat, one of the safest Conservative seats, in both the 2001 and 2005 general elections.
Maples was a member of William Hague
William Hague
William Jefferson Hague is the British Foreign Secretary and First Secretary of State. He served as Leader of the Conservative Party from June 1997 to September 2001...
's shadow cabinet from 1997 to 2000, holding the posts of Shadow Health Secretary (1997–1998), Shadow Defence Secretary (1998–1999) and Shadow Foreign Secretary (1999–2000), controversially calling for Britain to help Vladimir Putin
Vladimir Putin
Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin served as the second President of the Russian Federation and is the current Prime Minister of Russia, as well as chairman of United Russia and Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the Union of Russia and Belarus. He became acting President on 31 December 1999, when...
in the Second Chechen War
Second Chechen War
The Second Chechen War, in a later phase better known as the War in the North Caucasus, was launched by the Russian Federation starting 26 August 1999, in response to the Invasion of Dagestan by the Islamic International Peacekeeping Brigade ....
. In the reshuffle prompted by the return of Michael Portillo
Michael Portillo
Michael Denzil Xavier Portillo is a British journalist, broadcaster, and former Conservative Party politician and Cabinet Minister...
to the front bench, he lost his job to Francis Maude
Francis Maude
Francis Anthony Aylmer Maude is a British politician. A member of the Conservative Party, he currently serves as the Minister for the Cabinet Office and Paymaster General, and as a Member of Parliament representing the constituency of Horsham...
and left the shadow cabinet.
He returned to the front bench in a minor reshuffle in November 2006, when David Cameron
David Cameron
David William Donald Cameron is the current Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, First Lord of the Treasury, Minister for the Civil Service and Leader of the Conservative Party. Cameron represents Witney as its Member of Parliament ....
appointed him Deputy Chairman of the Conservative Party with responsibility for candidate selection. He replaced ex-shadow cabinet minister Bernard Jenkin
Bernard Jenkin
Bernard Christison Jenkin is a politician in the United Kingdom, and the current Member of Parliament for Harwich and North Essex...
. Because of Cameron's high-profile attempts to have more female and minority candidates selected, which has met with some opposition from local parties, the post is seen as an important one.
Maples was widely believed to be one of the main "plotters" behind the downfall of former Conservative party leader Iain Duncan Smith
Iain Duncan Smith
George Iain Duncan Smith is a British Conservative politician. He is currently the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions and was previously leader of the Conservative Party from September 2001 to October 2003...
.
In the 2009 MP's expenses scandal
United Kingdom Parliamentary expenses scandal
The United Kingdom parliamentary expenses scandal was a major political scandal triggered by the leak and subsequent publication by the Telegraph Group in 2009 of expense claims made by members of the United Kingdom Parliament over several years...
it emerged that Maples had claimed the Royal Automobile Club
Royal Automobile Club
The Royal Automobile Club is a private club and is not to be confused with RAC plc, a motorists' organisation, which it formerly owned.It has two club houses, one in London at 89-91 Pall Mall, and the other in the countryside at Woodcote Park, Surrey, next to the City of London Freemen's School...
as his principal residence.
On 10 January 2010, Maples announced that he would stand down from the House of Commons at the 2010 general election, which was held that May.
John Maples entered the House of Lords on 24 June 2010, as Baron Maples of Stratford-upon-Avon in the County of Warwickshire.
During a Lords debate on voting reform in November 2010, Lord Maples compared Lewisham West unfavourably with his other former constituency Stratford-upon-Avon, saying they "could not be more different". He claimed that Lewisham West was "three square miles of concrete", did not have an "identity", and that many of its constituents "did not know which borough they lived in". He added that Stratford-upon-Avon had a "very articulate" electorate and Lewisham West had "immigration and housing problems".
While an MP, Maples was president of the Conservative Friends of Israel.
Personal life
Maples married the journalist Jane CorbinJane Corbin
Jane Corbin, Lady Maples is a British journalist currently working for the BBC.She was educated at King's College London where she graduated with a degree in English in 1975. She has been a reporter for the BBC's Panorama Programme since 1988. She is married to the former Conservative MP John...
in December 1986 in Westminster. The couple have a son, Tom (born May 1989), and daughter, Rose (born September 1992).
External links
- Guardian Unlimited Politics – Ask Aristotle: John Maples MP
- TheyWorkForYou.com – John Maples MP
- Interview on On The Record in December 1999
- BBC Politics page
- Maples and Calder, Cayman Islands Tax Avoidance