Mark James Harper (Conservative Party), Minister of Parliament for Forest of Dean

Mark James Harper, a Conservative MP representing the Forest of Dean constituency, has had a career marked by several controversial moments and decisions. Born in Swindon and educated in philosophy, politics, and economics at Brasenose College, Oxford, Harper was a chartered accountant before entering Parliament. His time under the coalition government of David Cameron saw him serve as Parliamentary Secretary for Political and Constitutional Reform and then as Minister of State for Immigration, where he implemented a particularly contentious policy.

Controversial Immigration Campaign

While serving as the Minister of State for Immigration, Harper was responsible for a controversial campaign targeting illegal immigrants. This campaign involved lorries driving around London displaying the message “Here Illegally? Go Home or Risk Arrest.” The scheme was heavily criticized for being offensive and divisive, even within the coalition government, leading Harper to admit that the advertising vans were “too much of a blunt instrument” and would not be used again.

Disability Access Hypocrisy

Harper attracted negative media attention in December 2014 when he was accused of hypocrisy. Steve Parry-Hearn, a prospective Labour parliamentary candidate, pointed out that Harper, while calling for businesses to improve disabled access, had a high street constituency office that was inaccessible to wheelchair users.

Environmental and Transportation Policies

More recently, in October 2023, Harper voiced opposition to the Conservative Party’s transportation policies. He criticized anti-pollution charges on cars and low speed limits, proclaiming his party to be “proudly pro-car,” a stance that could be seen as contrary to environmental preservation efforts.

LGBTQ Rights Stance

Regarding LGBTQ rights, Harper’s voting record shows a mixed stance. He generally voted for equal gay rights but was absent for a crucial vote on Northern Ireland’s amendments related to marriage and civil partnerships. Notably, in July 2019, he voted against permitting same-sex marriage in Northern Ireland.

Support for Tory Leadership

In terms of political allegiance within the Conservative Party, Harper supported Jeremy Hunt during the Tory leadership race. This support aligned him with a faction of the party that was distinct from the Boris Johnson and Liz Truss camps. Interestingly, Harper called for Boris Johnson’s resignation over the ‘partygate’ scandal, stating that Johnson was no longer “worthy” of being Prime Minister. This position showcased Harper’s willingness to oppose party leadership when he deemed it necessary for ethical reasons.

In summary, Mark Harper’s political career is characterized by controversial decisions, particularly in immigration and environmental policies, a somewhat inconsistent stance on LGBTQ rights, and a readiness to challenge party leadership when he believes it’s in the public’s interest. His support for Jeremy Hunt during the Conservative Party leadership contest further illustrates his political positioning within the party.