Francis Maude

Francis Maude is a British politician who served as a Member of Parliament (MP) for Horsham (UK Parliament constituency) from 1997 to 2015. He was a key figure in the Conservative Party (UK) and held various ministerial positions, including Minister for the Cabinet Office and Paymaster General. Maude's political career was marked by his involvement in several high-profile events, including the Maastricht Treaty and the European Union (EU) referendum. He was also a strong supporter of Margaret Thatcher and John Major.

● Early Life and Education

Francis Maude was born in Abingdon, Oxfordshire, and educated at Abingdon School and University of Law. He later attended Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge, where he studied Law (Cambridge). Maude's early life was influenced by his family's strong connections to the Conservative Party (UK), with his father, Angus Maude, serving as a Member of Parliament (MP) for Stratford-on-Avon (UK Parliament constituency) and his uncle, Herbert Maude, serving as a Member of Parliament (MP) for Exeter (UK Parliament constituency) and Honiton (UK Parliament constituency).

● Career

Before entering politics, Maude worked as a Barrister and was a member of the Inner Temple. He was also a Special adviser to Angus Maude and later to Margaret Thatcher during her time as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. Maude's career was also influenced by his involvement with the Centre for Policy Studies, a think tank founded by Margaret Thatcher and Keith Joseph. He was also a member of the Bow Group, a Conservative Party (UK) think tank, and worked closely with other prominent Conservative Party (UK) figures, including Norman Fowler and Michael Heseltine.

● Ministerial Career

Maude's ministerial career began in 1985 when he was appointed as a Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Department of Trade and Industry by Margaret Thatcher. He later served as a Minister of State for the Department of Trade and Industry and as a Financial Secretary to the Treasury under John Major. Maude was also a key figure in the Conservative Party (UK)'s Shadow Cabinet, serving as the Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Shadow Foreign Secretary. He worked closely with other prominent Conservative Party (UK) figures, including William Hague, Iain Duncan Smith, and Michael Howard. Maude's ministerial career was marked by his involvement in several high-profile events, including the Maastricht Treaty and the European Union (EU) referendum.

● Personal Life

Francis Maude is married to Christina Maude and has three children. He is a member of the Garrick Club and the Reform Club, and has been involved in various charitable organizations, including the Royal National Lifeboat Institution and the RNLI. Maude has also been a strong supporter of the University of Sussex and the University of Brighton, and has worked closely with other prominent figures in the Conservative Party (UK), including Nigel Lawson and Geoffrey Howe. After leaving politics, Maude has continued to be involved in public life, serving as the chairman of the Francis Crick Institute and as a member of the Board of Trade. He has also been a vocal supporter of Brexit and has worked closely with other prominent Brexit supporters, including Boris Johnson and Nigel Farage.