Philip Dunne was first elected as the Conservative MP for Ludlow in 2005, being reelected in 2019 with a majority of 23,648.
The rural constituency of Ludlow covers the southern half of the County of Shropshire including the towns of Bridgnorth Ludlow, Bishop’s Castle Church Stretton and Craven Arms. In the early part of the Twenty First century this was a tightly fought Liberal Democrat – Conservative marginal that the Lib Dems held briefly between 2001 and 2005. However in recent years it has returned to becoming far safer territory for the Conservatives. Close to a third of the local population in this part of Shropshire are said to be retired.
Dunne served as Minister of State for Health between 2016 and 2018, and as Minister for Defence Procurement between 2012 and 2016. He is now Chairman of the Environmental Audit Select Committee.
In May 2023, Mr Dunne announced that he would be stepping down from Westminster at the next election.
Dunne was born in 1958 and was brought up on the family farm near Ludlow. He was educated at Eton and then Oxford University.
Dunne initially worked in the City before becoming involved in the founding of Ottakar’s bookshop, which was later acquired by Waterstones. During his 18 year involvement as co-founder and then Chairman of Ottakar’s, he grew the company to a business employing over 2,500 people nationwide in nearly 150 shops.
He was also formerly the Chairman of the quoted Venture Capital Trust, Baronsmead 4 VCT plc.
Dunne is married with two daughters and two sons. He supported Remain in the 2016 EU referendum, and ran Jeremy Hunt’s campaign for the Conservative Party leadership in the 2019 election.
Philip Dunne is Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Rural Services. He is Vice Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Groups on Bahrain; Dark Skies; and Game and Wildlife Conservation.
Email: philip.dunne.mp@parliament.uk
Email: dunnep@parliament.uk
Personal Website: http://www.philipdunne.com
Twitter: @Dunne4Ludlow
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/Dunne4Ludlow
