Chris Leslie

Chris Leslie is currently MP for Nottingham East, elected in May 2010. He was previously Director of New Local Government Network from 2005 to 2010, leading their work as an all-party not-for-profit public policy think tank. He was previously a Government Minister at the Department for Constitutional Affairs (2003 to 2005) with responsibility for the courts and elections policy. Chris piloted the Constitutional Reform Bill through the House of Commons, creating a new Supreme Court for the United Kingdom, which opened in 2009.

Prior to this, Chris was the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (2002 to 2003) with responsibilities for local government and regions policy. His first ministerial post was at the Cabinet Office (2001 to 2002) heading up civil service policy matters, civil contingencies and emergency planning. He was elected Member of Parliament for the Shipley constituency in May 1997 and was re-elected in June 2001, serving two whole terms (until the May 2005 General Election). From 1994 to 1998, Chris was a councillor on Bradford City Council. He currently serves as a Trustee of the Consumer Credit Counselling Service and debt charity Credit Action.