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West Dorset's voice in Westminster

Chris Loder MP | Championing local communities in and around Beaminster, Bridport, Chickerell, Dorchester, Lyme Regis, Sherborne and surrounding villages.

About Chris Loder

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BORN IN WEST DORSET - CHAMPIONING WEST DORSET

Born at the Yeatman Hospital in Sherborne in September 1981, Chris enjoyed a rural upbringing at Folke in Dorset on his parents' family farm where he is 4th generation; attending primary schools at Holwell and Bishops Caundle before secondary education at The Gryphon School, Sherborne. He still lives at the family farm, giving his parents hands-on support while pursuing a professional career in London, before being selected as Prospective Conservative MP for West Dorset on 28th September 2019.

Chris didn't go to university, instead aged 18 he began his railway career with a job as a train guard on the Waterloo to Exeter line, then as a manager for the Bournemouth to Weymouth line. In 2003, he moved from Sherborne to work with major rail operators in London, across the UK and then to Europe in 2010. Returning to the UK railway in 2012 where he became Head of Service Strategy for the railway in the South West. He progressed to lead a team of 300 running the UK's best performing train company, creating more train services and better connections for Dorset, whilst delivering the multi-million-pound upgrade of London Waterloo station - the largest in Europe.

His public service career began as a teenager aged 18 when he became Parish Clerk for Bishops Caundle in 1998/99, when he was awarded the young person’s merit award for commitment to the local community. He was elected to West Dorset District Council to represent villages to the south of Sherborne in 2013 and was Association Chairman of West Dorset Conservative Association for three and a half years until August 2019.

A Christian, Chris has been a member of Folke, Holwell and Sherborne Parochial Church Councils and is an occasional organist at Folke, Bishops Caundle and other local churches. He learned to bell-ring at St James’ Church Longburton, taught at Buckland Newton and Puddletown and often rings at Holwell or Bishops Caundle.

In his spare time, Chris enjoys travelling, classical music, national politics and rural affairs and has held various voluntary roles including Chairman of the Institution of Railway Operators, Councillor of Southwark Cathedral and Director/Trustee of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport as well as being a Freeman of the City of London. 

Member of Parliament for West Dorset

Elected in the 12th December 2019 General Election

Other positions held:

Member Transport Select Committee

Chairman APPG for South Western Railway 

Trustee Jurassic Coast Trust

Caucus Member Conservative Environment Network

Patron Conservative Animal Welfare Foundation

 

 

See Also
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Campaign Video

News

Podcast

The Sherborne Podcast

Wednesday, 6 November, 2019

On the first official day of the 12th December 2019 General Election campaign, listen in to The Sherborne Podcast and my views on growing up and living in Sherborne, my 4th generation family farm, Brexit, railways, council tax, housing and my plans for the future of West Dorset. 

Chris Loder

Brexit and Me

Sunday, 3 November, 2019

Since the announcement of the general election I have experienced a huge increase in personal contacts, on social media and in person, from constituents asking me what Brexit means to me. I am very clear and principled on my views regarding Brexit.

SWR to Corfe Castle

A RAILWAY JOURNEY

Chris, who was Head of New Trains at South Western Railway before being selected as Prospective MP for West Dorset, says:

"Railways have been a great love of mine from a very young age. I began my career with South West Trains in 1999 working as a station assistant, then a Guard along the Waterloo to Exeter line followed by manager for the Bournemouth to Dorchester and Weymouth line.

I moved from Sherborne in 2003 to work with major rail operators in London, across the UK and then to Europe in 2010. I returned to the UK railway in 2012 as the Head of Service Strategy for South West Trains, delivering our readiness for the Waterloo Upgrade programme, responsible for its £1bn timetable and introduction of new trains to the network."

chris

PUBLIC SERVICE HIGHLIGHTS

Member of Parliament for West Dorset

Elected as MP on 12th December 2019

Chairman - West Dorset Conservatives

As Chairman of West Dorset Conservatives Chris led the local Conservative Association for more than three years until August 2019. He is active in the party locally and nationally, as well as being Dorset Area Chairman.

District Councillor

Served on West Dorset District Council as a Conservative District Councillor for villages around Sherborne until 2015.

Parish Clerk

An interest in local affairs began at 18 years old when Chris was Parish Clerk for Bishops Caundle, Dorset.

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Chris Loder MP Member of Parliament for West Dorset

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