SIMPSON, Keith

Member for Broadland since 6 May 2010, for Mid Norfolk 1997-2010. Committees: Member, Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Select Committee 2001-02; Member, House of Commons Catering Committee 1998; Secretary, Conservative Backbench Defence Committee 1997-98. Political career: Parliamentary Private Secretary to William Hague as Foreign Secretary since 2010; Parliamentary Commissioner, Commonwealth War Graves Commission since 2008; Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs 2005-10; Shadow Minister for Defence 2002-05; Conservative Frontbench Defence Spokesman 2002-05; Conservative Frontbench Farming Spokesman 2001-02; Conservative Whip 1999-2001; Conservative Frontbench Defence Spokesman 1998-99; Special Adviser to Secretary of State for Defence 1988-90; Head of Overseas and Defence Section, Conservative Research Department 1986-88; National Vice-Chair, Federation of Conservative Students 1972-73. Special political interests: Defence, foreign policy, rural affairs, small businesses. Profession/Trade: Military historian. Education: Kings College, London; University of Hull, BA (Hons). Author of: The Old Contemptibles; A Nation in Arms; History of the German Army; The War the Infantry Knew; Waffen SS. Hobbies: Reading, observing ambitious people. b. 29 March 1949, Norwich. Married with one child.