James Arbuthnot first entered Parliament in 1987 as MP for Wanstead & Woodford and since 1997 has represented North East Hampshire. He served as Opposition Chief Whip (1997-2001) and as Shadow Secretary of State for Trade (2003-05), before becoming Chairman of the House of Commons Defence Select Committee in 2005.
James is married to Emma. They have four children and live in Mortimer with several dogs, a couple of Alpaca and an elderly pony. Away from politics, his interests include his family, music, computers, cooking and skiing and his ambition is one day to breed Irish Wolfhounds.
