Edward Timpson was first elected to Parliament for Crewe and Nantwich following a 2008 by-election and the 2017 General Election. He was then reelected to Parliament in 2019 for the Cheshire seat of Eddisbury with a majority of 18,443.
The constituency of Eddisbury is by far the largest geographical seat in Cheshire. Spreading upwards from the south west of the county, this area has been known as the salt mining centre of England. It includes the market town of Winsford, alongside the villages of Tarvin, Kelsall, Malpas, and Tarporley. It is an economically active area with good connections to the industrial areas in Deeside and the Wirral Peninsula, and to both Liverpool and Manchester. It is a relatively affluent area, where three quarters of people own their own homes.
This seat has been won by the Conservative Party at every General Election since it was created in 1983. The former Conservative MP for this seat, Antoinette Sandbach, defected to the Liberal Democrats in the last Parliament. She then stood here for the Lib Dems in 2019, but came third polling just 18% of the vote.
Timpson served as Solicitor General under Boris Johnson between July and September 2022.
In February 2023, he announced his decision to step down from Westminster at the next election.
He was Minister of State for Children and Families in the government between 2015 and 2017, having served as a junior Minister in the same department between 2012-2015. He was Parliamentary Private Secretary to Theresa May between 2010 and 2012 during her time as Home Secretary.
In a statement in relation to the partygate affair, he described the events at Downing Street as ‘shameful’ and said he was not prepared to defend the indefensible. In signs of real passion lurking within him on the matter he continued, “I am appalled that we did not see that selflessness at the heart of government, and can only say it makes the example that those who have contacted me about their own experiences set shine all the greater”.
Born in 1973, Timpson is the son of John Timpson, the Chairman and owner of the Timpson chain of shoe repair and key shops. John Timpson and his wife are also known as being prolific foster carers having fostered over 87 children, many of which also grew up with Edward Timpson.
Educated at Durham University, Timpson practised as a family law barrister before becoming an MP, himself specialising in the cases of vulnerable children.
Timpson was Chair of Cafcass and the National Child Safeguarding Panel between 2018 and 2019.
Timpson is married with three children. He enjoys running and has ran thirteen marathons. He also plays in a local football team.
Email: timpsone@parliament.uk
Personal Website: https://www.edwardtimpson.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/edwardtimpson
