Nigel Evans was first elected as the Conservative MP for Ribble Valley in 1992, being reelected in 2019 with a majority of 18,439.
The rural and picturesque constituency of Ribble Valley is the largest geographical seat in Lancashire and spreads inwards from the east of the county. It includes the towns of Clitheroe, Gisburn, and Bamber Bridge. It is an affluent seat that contains a high number of commuters and a sizeable number of retired people. The Ribble Valley is traditionally safe Conservative territory. In the 1980s was formerly represented at Westminster by the Conservative Home Secretary, David Waddington.
Since 2020, Nigel Evans has served as a Deputy Speaker of the House of Commons. Evans had held the position previously between 2010 and 2013.
Evans served in the Shadow Cabinet as Shadow Secretary of State for Wales between 2001 and 2003. He was Vice Chair of the Conservative Party between 1999 and 2001.
Nigel Evans was born in November 1957. He was educated at Dynevor School, and University College, Swansea (BA Hons Politics). Whilst at University, his lecturer was the later Labour MP for Huddersfield, Barry Sheerman.
Prior to being elected to Parliament, he ran his family’s newsagents, tobacconists and convenience store in Swansea.
Evans was a strong supporter of Brexit in the 2016 EU referendum.
Evans was a member of West Glamorgan County Council from 1985 until 1991.
In 2013 Evans was arrested on suspicion of rape and sexual assault. In 2014 he was acquitted of all charges.
Nigel Evans is Vice Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Groups on Music; and Child and Youth Crime. He is President of the All Party Parliamentary Groups on Wine and Spirits; Beer; Bahrain; Qatar; Taiwan; and Belize.
In 2010, Evans confirmed to the Mail on Sunday that he was gay.
Email: evansn@parliament.uk
Personal Website: www.nigelmp.com
Twitter: @nigelevansmp
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Nigel-Evans/
