Grant Shapps

Grant Shapps was born on 14 September 1968 in Croxley Green,{{Cite news |last=Allegretti |first=Aubrey |date=6 October 2017 |title=Grant Shapps: Who is Tory MP leading plot against Theresa May |work=Sky News |url=https://news.sky.com/story/grant-shapps-who-is-tory-mp-leading-plot-against-theresa-may-11069236 |access-date=12 November 2023}} Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire, the son of Tony Shapps (c.1932–2023),{{cite web | url=https://www.thejc.com/news/grant-shapps-pays-tribute-to-optimistic-father-tony-who-has-died-aged-91-vli43itm | title=Grant Shapps pays tribute to 'optimistic' father Tony, who has died aged 91 }} who ran a cinematographic and photographic equipment business,{{cite news | url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2012/apr/28/grant-shapps-housing-minister-interview | title=The Saturday interview: Grant Shapps | newspaper=The Guardian | date=27 April 2012 | last1=Hattenstone | first1=Simon }}{{cite web | url=https://www.widescreen-centre.co.uk/about-us.html | title=About Us - Widescreen Centre }} and Beryl (née Grossman).{{cite book |title=Dod's Parliamentary Companion |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hSMkAQAAIAAJ&q=%22Born+14+September+1968+;+Son+of+Tony+and+Beryl+Shapps%22 |year=2009 | publisher=Dod's Parliamentary Companion Limited |isbn=9780905702797 |access-date=15 December 2020 |archive-date=16 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220716190604/https://books.google.com/books?id=hSMkAQAAIAAJ&q=%22Born+14+September+1968+%3B+Son+of+Tony+and+Beryl+Shapps%22 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |date=1 December 2019 |title=Shapps, Rt Hon. Grant |url=https://doi.org/10.1093/ww/9780199540884.013.U45584 |access-date=9 July 2022 |website=Who's Who 2022 & Who Was Who |doi=10.1093/ww/9780199540884.013.U45584 |url-access=subscription |archive-date=16 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220716190607/https://www.ukwhoswho.com/view/10.1093/ww/9780199540884.001.0001/ww-9780199540884-e-45584 |url-status=live }} His family is Jewish.{{cite news |last=Richards |first=Christopher |url=http://www.thejc.com/lifestyle/lifestyle-features/37452/interview-grant-shapps |title=Interview: Grant Shapps |date=2 September 2010 |work=The Jewish Chronicle |access-date=22 April 2015 |archive-date=11 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160111070811/http://www.thejc.com/lifestyle/lifestyle-features/37452/interview-grant-shapps |url-status=live }} Grant's brother, André Shapps, is a musician who was a member of Big Audio Dynamite (BAD) between 1994 and 1998, playing keyboards. Their cousin Mick Jones was a key figure in British punk rock of the late 1970s and a founding member of both the Clash and Big Audio Dynamite.Newsnight, BBC2, 14 April 2010{{cite news |url=http://www.echo-news.co.uk/news/elections/general_election_2010/constituencies/359.welwyn_hatfield/candidates/1695._grant_shapps/ |title=Grant Shapps, Conservative, Welywn Hatfield |date=May 2010 |work=Echo |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110920005410/http://www.echo-news.co.uk/news/elections/general_election_2010/constituencies/359.welwyn_hatfield/candidates/1695._grant_shapps/ |archive-date=20 September 2011 |url-status=dead}}{{cite news |url=http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2012/apr/28/grant-shapps-housing-minister-interview |title=The Saturday interview: Grant Shapps |date=28 April 2012 |newspaper=The Guardian |location=London |issn=0261-3077 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150418085247/http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2012/apr/28/grant-shapps-housing-minister-interview |access-date=23 June 2015|archive-date=18 April 2015 }}

Grant Shapps was educated at Yorke Mead Primary School, Watford Grammar School for Boys, where he achieved 5 'O' Levels, and at West Herts College in Watford, where he studied business and finance. He subsequently completed a business and finance course at Manchester Polytechnic, and received a Higher National Diploma.{{Cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/4074370.stm |title=Meet the MP: Grant Shapps |date=16 June 2005 |work=BBC News |access-date=29 April 2010 |archive-date=10 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170810231658/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/4074370.stm |url-status=live }}

Shapps was also National President of the Jewish youth organisation BBYO.{{Cite news |last=Elgot |first=Jessica |url=http://www.thejc.com/news/uk-news/31823/new-jewish-ministers-and-miliband-rivalry |title=New Jewish ministers and the Miliband rivalry |date=14 May 2010 |work=The Jewish Chronicle |access-date=12 June 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100516232646/http://www.thejc.com/news/uk-news/31823/new-jewish-ministers-and-miliband-rivalry |archive-date=16 May 2010 }}{{Cite news |last=Guru |first=Geeta |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-19511778 |title=Profile: Grant Shapps, Conservative party co-chairman |date=11 September 2012 |work=BBC News |access-date=3 November 2013 |archive-date=7 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121107012057/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-19511778 |url-status=live }} In 1989, he was involved in a car crash in Kansas, United States, that left him in a coma for a week.{{Cite news |url=http://www.herts24.co.uk/news/i_m_lovin_it_welwyn_hatfield_mp_relives_the_time_he_was_saved_by_mcdonald_s_1_979618 |title=MP talks about recovering from coma |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120329183657/http://www.herts24.co.uk/news/i_m_lovin_it_welwyn_hatfield_mp_relives_the_time_he_was_saved_by_mcdonald_s_1_979618 |archive-date=29 March 2012}}

Shapps started his working life as a photocopier sales representative. In 1990, aged 22, Shapps founded PrintHouse Corporation,{{Cite web |url=http://www.printhouse.co.uk/ |title=Design & Print Company London – PrintHouse Corporation |publisher=Printhouse.co.uk |access-date=3 November 2013 |archive-date=5 November 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131105091620/http://www.printhouse.co.uk/ |url-status=live }} a design, print, website creation and marketing business in London,{{Cite news |last=Hetherington |first=Peter |url=https://www.theguardian.com/society/2010/jan/20/shapps-housing-conservative-home-ownership |title=Tories' housing plans to raise the roofs |date=20 January 2010 |work=The Guardian |access-date=29 April 2010 |archive-date=5 November 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131105092342/http://www.theguardian.com/society/2010/jan/20/shapps-housing-conservative-home-ownership |url-status=live }} based on a collapsed printing business he purchased from the receiver.{{Cite news |last=Hattenstone |first=Simon |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2012/apr/28/grant-shapps-housing-minister-interview |title=The Saturday interview: Grant Shapps |date=28 April 2012 |work=The Guardian |access-date=22 April 2015 |archive-date=18 April 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150418085247/http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2012/apr/28/grant-shapps-housing-minister-interview |url-status=live }} He stepped down as a director in 2009,{{Cite news |last1=Watts |first1=Robert |url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/politics/article6544213.ece |title=Conservative MPs rush to quit second jobs |date=21 June 2009 |work=The Times |access-date=29 April 2010 |last2=Oliver |first2=Jonathan |last3=Warren |first3=Georgia |archive-date=18 September 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110918072859/http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/politics/article6544213.ece |url-status=dead }} but remained the majority shareholder.

Shapps founded a web publishing business, How To Corp Limited, with his wife while he was recovering from cancer.{{cite news |last=Mason |first=Rowena |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/9590294/Grant-Shapps-my-Michael-Green-alias-was-only-a-joke.html |title=Grant Shapps: my Michael Green alias was only a 'joke' |date=5 October 2012 |work=The Daily Telegraph |access-date=3 November 2013 |archive-date=27 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131027084847/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/9590294/Grant-Shapps-my-Michael-Green-alias-was-only-a-joke.html |url-status=live }} The company marketed business publications and software. The existence of at least three people who allegedly provided testimonials for the company has been questioned.{{cite news |url=https://www.channel4.com/news/by/michael-crick/blogs/grant-shapps-and-the-mysterious-testimonials |title=Grant Shapps and the mysterious testimonials |first=Michael |last=Crick |author-link=Michael Crick |website=Channel 4 |date=8 October 2012 |accessdate=10 March 2021 |archive-date=14 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210414234704/https://www.channel4.com/news/by/michael-crick/blogs/grant-shapps-and-the-mysterious-testimonials |url-status=live }} Shapps stood down as a director in July 2008; his wife remained as director until the company was dissolved in 2014.{{cite web |url=https://www.companiesintheuk.co.uk/ltd/how-to-corp |title=Companies in the UK |access-date=31 March 2015 |archive-date=2 April 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402093010/https://www.companiesintheuk.co.uk/ltd/how-to-corp |url-status=live }}

In September 2012, Google blacklisted 19 of Shapps' business websites for violating rules on copyright infringement related to the web scraping-based TrafficPayMaster software sold by them.{{Cite news |last=Prince |first=Rosa |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/mediatechnologyandtelecoms/digital-media/9517370/Grant-Shapps-business-plagiarising-software-and-breaching-Googles-rules.html |title=Grant Shappses' business 'plagiarising' software and breaching Google's rules |date=3 September 2012 |work=The Telegraph |access-date=31 March 2015 |archive-date=20 March 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150320165344/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/mediatechnologyandtelecoms/digital-media/9517370/Grant-Shapps-business-plagiarising-software-and-breaching-Googles-rules.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |last=Neate |first=Rupert |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2012/sep/07/google-blacklists-websites-grant-shapps-family |title=Google blacklists websites run by family of Grant Shapps |date=7 September 2012 |work=The Guardian |access-date=11 December 2016 |archive-date=23 March 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170323143848/https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2012/sep/07/google-blacklists-websites-grant-shapps-family |url-status=live }} Shapps's web marketing business's 20/20 Challenge publication also drew criticism. It cost $497 and promised customers earnings of $20,000 in 20 days. Upon purchase, the "toolkit" was revealed to be an ebook, advising the user to create their own toolkit and recruit 100 "Joint Venture Partners" to resell it for a share of the profits.{{Cite news |last=Hall |first=Richard |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/revealed-grant-shapps-getrichquick-guide-or-it-that-michael-greens-8209978.html |title=Revealed: Grant Shapps's get-rich-quick guide (or it that Michael Green's?) |date=13 October 2012 |work=The Independent |access-date=14 April 2015 |archive-date=7 May 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150507011234/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/revealed-grant-shapps-getrichquick-guide-or-it-that-michael-greens-8209978.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/shortcuts/2015/mar/16/grant-shapps-business-mp-conservative-chairman-michael-green |title=The Grant Shapps guide to making money |last=Benedictus |first=Leo |date=16 March 2015 |website=The Guardian |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171206085917/https://www.theguardian.com/politics/shortcuts/2015/mar/16/grant-shapps-business-mp-conservative-chairman-michael-green |archive-date=6 December 2017 |access-date=18 March 2018}}

Shapps's use of the names Michael Green, Corinne Stockheath and Sebastian Fox attracted media attention in 2012. He denied having used a pseudonym after entering parliament and, in 2014, threatened legal action against a constituent who had stated on Facebook that he had. In February 2015, he told LBC Radio: "I don't have a second job and have never had a second job while being an MP. End of story."{{Cite web |url=http://www.lbc.co.uk/when-grant-shapps-told-lbc-he-didnt-use-second-name-as-mp-106501 |title=When Shapps Told LBC He Didn't Have Second Job As MP |publisher=LBC |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150319015733/http://www.lbc.co.uk/when-grant-shapps-told-lbc-he-didnt-use-second-name-as-mp-106501 |archive-date=19 March 2015 |access-date=16 March 2015}}

In March 2015, Shapps said he had made an error in his interview with LBC and was "mistaken over the dates" of his outside employment. He said he had "over-firmly denied" having a second job. David Cameron defended Shapps, saying he had made a mistake and it was time to "move on".{{Cite news |last=Ramesh |first=Randeep |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2015/mar/15/grant-shapps-admits-he-had-second-job-as-millioniare-web-marketer-while-mp |title=Grant Shapps admits he had second job as 'millionaire web marketer' while MP |date=15 March 2015 |work=The Guardian |access-date=15 March 2015 |archive-date=16 March 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150316042517/http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2015/mar/15/grant-shapps-admits-he-had-second-job-as-millioniare-web-marketer-while-mp |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |last=Randeep Ramesh |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2015/mar/16/revealed-grant-shapps-threat-to-sue-constituent-over-michael-green-post |title=Revealed: Grant Shapps's threat to sue constituent over Michael Green post |date=16 March 2015 |work=The Guardian |access-date=29 March 2015 |archive-date=2 April 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402231154/http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2015/mar/16/revealed-grant-shapps-threat-to-sue-constituent-over-michael-green-post |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-31901533 |title=Grant Shapps admits interview error over 'second job dates' |work=BBC News |access-date=21 June 2018 |archive-date=13 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181013195419/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-31901533 |url-status=live }} In March 2015, Dean Archer, the constituent previously threatened with legal action by Shapps, threatened Shapps with legal action.{{Cite web |url=https://www.buzzfeed.com/jamieross/grant-shapps-was-ambushed-with-a-legal-threat-over-his-alter |title=Grant Shapps Was Ambushed With Legal Threat Over His Alter Ego 'Michael Green' |website=BuzzFeed |date=25 March 2015 |access-date=29 August 2017 |archive-date=21 November 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171121033908/https://www.buzzfeed.com/jamieross/grant-shapps-was-ambushed-with-a-legal-threat-over-his-alter |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |last=Boffey |first=Daniel |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2015/mar/21/grant-shapps-dean-archer-legal-action-michael-green |title=Grant Shapps faces legal action from constituent he threatened to sue |date=21 March 2015 |work=The Guardian |access-date=22 April 2015 |archive-date=25 March 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150325032704/http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2015/mar/21/grant-shapps-dean-archer-legal-action-michael-green |url-status=live }}

After deciding to go into politics, Shapps wrote to Watford Conservative MP Tristan Garel-Jones, who invited him to the House of Commons and gave Shapps advice. Shapps made his first foray into politics in 1990, when he was a Conservative candidate for a Labour-held seat in Old Moat ward on Manchester City Council. Shapps finished in a distant second place.{{Cite web |date=27 April 2012 |title=The Saturday interview: Grant Shapps |url=http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2012/apr/28/grant-shapps-housing-minister-interview |access-date=9 July 2022 |website=the Guardian |language=en |archive-date=4 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180804014518/https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2012/apr/28/grant-shapps-housing-minister-interview |url-status=live }}{{Cite book |last1=Rallings |first1=Colin|last2=Thrasher |first2=Michael |title=Manchester City Council Election Results 1973–2012 |publisher=The Elections Centre |location=Plymouth University |pages=15}}

In 1994, Shapps stood as a Conservative candidate for the two-member St Andrews ward in the London Borough of Brent local elections, but was unsuccessful in being returned as a councillor, with Labour narrowly holding both seats.{{Cite book |last1=Minors |first1=Michael |url=http://londondatastore-upload.s3.amazonaws.com/docs/LBCE_1994-5-5.pdf |title=London Borough Council Elections 5 May 1994 |last2=Grenham |first2=Dennis |date=1994 |publisher=London Research Centre |isbn=1-85261-207-X |location=London |page=23 |access-date=6 June 2019 |archive-date=13 April 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160413001450/http://londondatastore-upload.s3.amazonaws.com/docs/LBCE_1994-5-5.pdf |url-status=live }}

Shapps unsuccessfully contested North Southwark and Bermondsey at the 1997 general election, finishing third with 6.9% of the vote behind the incumbent Liberal Democrat MP Simon Hughes and the Labour Party candidate.{{cite web |title=Election Data 1997 |url=http://www.electoralcalculus.co.uk/electdata_1997.txt |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111015054424/http://www.electoralcalculus.co.uk/electdata_1997.txt |archive-date=15 October 2011 |access-date=18 October 2015 |publisher=Electoral Calculus}}{{Cite news |url=http://politics.guardian.co.uk/hoc/constituency/0,,-1180,00.html |title=Southwark North and Bermondsey-the 2005 general election |work=The Guardian |access-date=29 April 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080512011617/http://politics.guardian.co.uk/hoc/constituency/0%2C%2C-1180%2C00.html |archive-date=12 May 2008}}

Shapps stood for Welwyn Hatfield at the 2001 general election, finishing second with 40.4% of the vote behind the incumbent Labour MP Melanie Johnson.{{cite web |title=Election Data 2001 |url=http://www.electoralcalculus.co.uk/electdata_2001ob.txt |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111015054450/http://www.electoralcalculus.co.uk/electdata_2001ob.txt |archive-date=15 October 2011 |access-date=18 October 2015 |publisher=Electoral Calculus}} He was reselected to fight Welwyn Hatfield in 2002 and continued his local campaigning over the next four years.

At the 2005 general election Shapps was elected as MP for Welwyn Hatfield, winning with 49.6% and a majority of 5,946.{{cite web |title=Election Data 2005 |url=http://www.electoralcalculus.co.uk/electdata_2005ob.txt |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111015054249/http://www.electoralcalculus.co.uk/electdata_2005ob.txt |archive-date=15 October 2011 |access-date=18 October 2015 |publisher=Electoral Calculus}}{{Cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/vote2005/html/621.stm |title=Election 2005 | Welwyn Hatfield |date=6 May 2005 |work=BBC News |access-date=3 November 2013 |archive-date=18 May 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070518140912/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/vote2005/html/621.stm |url-status=live }}

Shapps publicly backed David Cameron's bid for the leadership of the Conservative Party, seconding Cameron's nomination papers. Upon Cameron's election as party leader Shapps was appointed vice chairman of the Conservative Party with responsibility for campaigning.{{Cite news |last=Porter |first=Andrew |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/1573942/How-Grant-Shapps-slept-rough-for-Christmas.html |title=How Grant Shapps slept rough for Christmas |date=29 December 2007 |work=The Telegraph |access-date=29 April 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090522232638/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/1573942/How-Grant-Shapps-slept-rough-for-Christmas.html |archive-date=22 May 2009}}

He was a member of the Public Administration Select Committee between May 2005 and February 2007.

At the 2010 general election, Shapps was re-elected as MP for Welwyn Hatfield with an increased vote share of 57% of the vote and an increased majority of 17,423.{{cite web |title=Election Data 2010 |url=http://www.electoralcalculus.co.uk/electdata_2010.txt |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130726162034/http://www.electoralcalculus.co.uk/electdata_2010.txt |archive-date=26 July 2013 |access-date=17 October 2015 |publisher=Electoral Calculus}}{{Cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/election2010/results/constituency/f03.stm |title=Election 2010 | Welwyn Hatfield |work=BBC News |access-date=3 November 2013 |archive-date=23 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170823091225/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/election2010/results/constituency/f03.stm |url-status=live }} He was again re-elected at the 2015 general election, with a decreased vote share of 50.4% and a decreased majority of 12,153.{{cite web |title=Election Data 2015 |url=http://www.electoralcalculus.co.uk/electdata_2015.txt |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151017112223/http://www.electoralcalculus.co.uk/electdata_2015.txt |archive-date=17 October 2015 |access-date=17 October 2015 |publisher=Electoral Calculus}}{{cite web |date=9 April 2015 |title=Statement Of Persons Nominated And Notice Of Poll |url=http://www.welhat.gov.uk/CHttpHandler.ashx?id=9965&p=0 |access-date=14 April 2015 |publisher=Acting Returning Officer}}

Shapps was opposed to the UK's withdrawal from the European Union prior to the 2016 referendum and voted Remain.{{Cite news |last=Goodenough |first=Tom |url=http://blogs.spectator.co.uk/2016/02/which-tory-mps-back-brexit-who-doesnt-and-who-is-still-on-the-fence/ |title=Which Tory MPs back Brexit, who doesn't and who is still on the fence? |date=16 February 2016 |work=The Spectator |access-date=11 October 2016 |archive-date=2 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190502030758/https://blogs.spectator.co.uk/2016/02/which-tory-mps-back-brexit-who-doesnt-and-who-is-still-on-the-fence/ |url-status=live }} However, following the referendum, Shapps announced he would support the result and vote to trigger Article 50. He also called on other Remain supporting MPs to do the same, arguing that voting down Article 50 to prevent Brexit would be "creating a situation which no-one wants be it MPs, voters or business" and that Parliament would contradict the fact it had granted the public a referendum on Britain's EU membership if it was not prepared to respect the result.{{Cite web |url=https://brexitcentral.com/grant-shapps-mp-i-remainer-now-im-backing-brexit-way-hard-like/ |title=I was a Remainer but now I'm backing Brexit all the way, as hard as you like |date=7 December 2016 |access-date=2 October 2020 |archive-date=18 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200918202408/https://brexitcentral.com/grant-shapps-mp-i-remainer-now-im-backing-brexit-way-hard-like/ |url-status=live }}

Shapps was again re-elected at the snap 2017 general election, with an increased vote share of 51% and a decreased majority of 7,369.{{cite web |date=11 May 2017 |title=Statement as to persons nominated and notice of poll |url=http://www.welhat.gov.uk/CHttpHandler.ashx?id=12317&p=0 |access-date=6 June 2017 |publisher=Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council |format=PDF}}

In October 2017, Shapps called for Theresa May's resignation, saying that the party could not "bury its head in the sand" in the wake of the June election.{{Cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/theresa-may-grant-shapps-coup-plot-latest-conservative-conference-brexit-a7987276.html |title=The plot to topple Theresa May has been crushed |date=6 October 2017 |work=The Independent |access-date=20 December 2017 |archive-date=8 December 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171208151600/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/theresa-may-grant-shapps-coup-plot-latest-conservative-conference-brexit-a7987276.html |url-status=live }} Shapps said that 30 MPs and "one or two" Cabinet ministers agreed with him that Theresa May should resign.{{Cite news |url=http://news.sky.com/story/list-drawn-up-of-tory-mps-calling-on-theresa-may-to-quit-11068806 |title=Tory MPs and cabinet ministers want Theresa May gone – Grant Shapps |work=Sky News |access-date=6 October 2017 |archive-date=6 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171006224827/http://news.sky.com/story/list-drawn-up-of-tory-mps-calling-on-theresa-may-to-quit-11068806 |url-status=live }}

At the 2019 general election, Shapps was again re-elected, with an increased vote share of 52.6% and an increased majority of 10,955.{{cite news |title=Welwyn Hatfield Parliamentary constituency |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/politics/constituencies/E14001027 |access-date=19 November 2019 |website=BBC News |publisher=BBC}}{{Cite news |title=Welwyn Hatfield parliamentary constituency – Election 2019 – BBC News |language=en-GB |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/politics/constituencies/E14001027 |access-date=10 July 2022 |archive-date=10 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220710102054/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/politics/constituencies/E14001027 |url-status=live }}

In June 2007, Shapps became Shadow Minister for Housing and Planning.

He was Shadow Housing Minister during the period of the last four Labour government housing ministers. During this period of opposition, he argued in favour of a community-up approach to solving the housing crisis and warned against top-down Whitehall-driven housing targets, which he believed had failed in the past.

In May 2008, Shapps was cited as one of several shadow ministers who had received cash from firms linked to their portfolios. The donors were originally recruited by Michael Gove who previously held the shadow housing portfolio.{{Cite news |last=Hencke |first=David |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2008/may/16/conservatives |title=Shadow ministers take cash from firms linked to their portfolios |date=16 May 2008 |work=The Guardian |access-date=3 November 2013 |archive-date=5 November 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131105192408/http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2008/may/16/conservatives |url-status=live }} The Conservative Party said shadow ministers had not been influenced by donations. "Some Conservative policy on housing is actually against the policy of the donors", said a Conservative spokesman.{{cite news |url=http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2008/may/16/conservatives |title=Shadow ministers take cash from firms linked to their portfolios |first=David |last=Hencke |date=16 May 2008 |newspaper=The Guardian |location=London |issn=0261-3077|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131105192408/http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2008/may/16/conservatives |archive-date=5 November 2013 }} Shadow ministers are allowed to receive donations from organisations covered by their brief as long as the person has a company in the UK or lives in the UK. The Commissioner exonerated all Shadow Cabinet members involved.{{cite news|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/topstories/2008/05/16/shadow-chancellor-george-osborne-s-500-000-secret-donations-89520-20419380/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080706110334/http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/topstories/2008/05/16/shadow-chancellor-george-osborne-s-500-000-secret-donations-89520-20419380/|work=Daily Mirror|url-status=dead|title=Shadow Chancellor George Osborne's £500,000 secret donations|archive-date=6 July 2008}}

In April 2009, Shapps launched the Conservative Party's ninth green paper on policy, "Strong Foundations".{{Cite web |url=http://www.conservatives.com/News/News_stories/2009/04/Shapps_launches_radical_new_housing_policies.aspx |title=Shapps launches new housing policies |date=7 April 2009 |publisher=The Conservative Party |access-date=29 April 2010 |archive-date=30 April 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100430033419/http://www.conservatives.com/News/News_stories/2009/04/Shapps_launches_radical_new_housing_policies.aspx |url-status=live }} In early 2010 Shapps published a series of six speeches in a pamphlet called "Home Truths".{{Cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2010/mar/19/conservative-housing-policy-home-truths |title=Some home truths on housing |work=The Guardian |date=19 March 2010 |access-date=3 November 2013 |last=Shapps |first=Grant |archive-date=5 November 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131105192406/http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2010/mar/19/conservative-housing-policy-home-truths |url-status=live }}

File:Grant Shapps meets Essendon's junior architects with designs on their village.jpg

In May 2010,after the formation of the Cameron–Clegg coalition, Shapps became Minister of State for Housing and Local Government within the Communities and Local Government department and immediately repealed Home Information Pack (HIP) legislation.{{Cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/10130254.stm |title=Hips scrapped by coalition government |date=20 May 2010 |work=BBC News |access-date=22 May 2010 |archive-date=23 May 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100523040141/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/10130254.stm |url-status=live }} He chaired the Cross-Ministerial Working Group{{Cite press release |url=http://www.mungos.org/press_office/618_st-mungo-s-welcomes-new-announcements-by-housing-minister |title=St Mungo's welcomes new announcements by Housing Minister |website=St Mungo's |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110727101928/http://www.mungos.org/press_office/618_st-mungo-s-welcomes-new-announcements-by-housing-minister |archive-date= 27 July 2011| date=16 June 2010 }} on Homelessness which includes ministers from eight Government departments.{{Cite web |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/minutes-of-the-ministerial-working-group-on-preventing-and-tackling-homelessness |title=Minutes of the ministerial working group on preventing and tackling homelessness |publisher=Government of the United Kingdom |access-date=3 November 2013 |archive-date=4 November 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131104051645/https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/minutes-of-the-ministerial-working-group-on-preventing-and-tackling-homelessness |url-status=live }} The group introduced 'No Second Night Out', a policy designed to prevent rough sleeping nationwide.

As Minister of State for Housing, Shapps promoted plans for flexible rent and controversially ended automatic lifetime social tenancies.{{Cite web |url=http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/article-23863698-david-cameron-prepared-for-backlash-over-council-homes-comments.do |title=David Cameron prepared for backlash over council homes |date=5 August 2010 |website=London Evening Standard |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100926002937/http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/article-23863698-david-cameron-prepared-for-backlash-over-council-homes-comments.do |archive-date=26 September 2010 |access-date=8 September 2012}} He also introduced the New Homes Bonus which rewarded councils for building more homes.{{Cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-11739466 |title=New Homes Bonus |date=12 November 2010 |access-date=8 September 2012 |work=BBC News |archive-date=29 December 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111229121957/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-11739466 |url-status=live }} He denied claims that changes in Housing Benefit rules would be unfair claiming that ordinary people could no longer afford some of the homes paid for by the £24bn Housing Benefit bill.{{Cite news |last=Gentleman |first=Amelia |url=https://www.theguardian.com/society/2010/oct/28/housing-benefit-cuts-defended |title=Housing minister rebuts opposition critics: 'We are not being unfair' |date=28 October 2010 |work=The Guardian |access-date=8 September 2012 |archive-date=24 May 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150524214048/http://www.theguardian.com/society/2010/oct/28/housing-benefit-cuts-defended |url-status=live }} Shapps championed Tenant Panels.{{cite web |last=Wellman |first=Alex |title=Tenant panel training scheme launched |date=31 August 2011 |url=http://www.insidehousing.co.uk/tenancies/tenant-panel-training-scheme-launched/6517511.article |work=Inside Housing |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130114014128/http://www.insidehousing.co.uk/tenancies/tenant-panel-training-scheme-launched/6517511.article |archive-date=14 January 2013 |url-status=dead}}

At the 2011 party conference, Shapps backed the expansion of right to buy with the income being spent on replacing the sold housing with new affordable housing on a one-for-one basis.{{Cite web |url=http://www.spectator.co.uk/coffeehouse/7281498/shapps-sharpens-the-right-to-buy.thtml |title=Shapps Sharpens the Right To Buy' |date=2 October 2011 |website=The Spectator |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120104232803/http://www.spectator.co.uk/coffeehouse/7281498/shapps-sharpens-the-right-to-buy.thtml |archive-date=4 January 2012 |access-date=8 September 2012}}

In 2012, Shapps launched StreetLink{{Cite web |url=http://www.insidehousing.co.uk/care/shapps-hands-out-homelessness-cash/6523548.article |title=Shapps hands out homelessness cash |last=Twinch |first=Emily |date=3 September 2012 |publisher=Inside Housing |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131106090509/http://www.insidehousing.co.uk/care/shapps-hands-out-homelessness-cash/6523548.article |archive-date=6 November 2013 |access-date=3 November 2013}} – a website and phone app for the public to bring help to rough sleepers.{{Cite web |url=http://www.streetlink.org.uk/ |title=Help connect rough sleepers to local services |publisher=StreetLink |access-date=3 November 2013 |archive-date=8 November 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131108235334/http://www.streetlink.org.uk/ |url-status=live }}

File:Rt Hon Grant Shapps MP.jpg during 2011]]

In September 2012, Shapps was appointed Co-Chairman of the Conservative Party{{Cite web |url=http://www.parliament.uk/mps-lords-and-offices/government-and-opposition1/her-majestys-government/ |title=MPs and Lords: Grant Shapps |publisher=UK Parliament|archive-date=17 April 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240417015053/https://members.parliament.uk/member/1582/career|url-status=deviated}} (before 2024 dissolution of Parliament). in Cameron's first major reshuffle. His salary was paid by the party.{{Cite news |last=Hope |first=Christopher |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/9521237/Grant-Shapps-made-Tory-party-co-chairman-to-revive-partys-grassroots.html |title=Grant Shapps made Tory party co-chairman to revive party's grassroots |date=4 September 2012 |work=The Telegraph |access-date=8 September 2012 |archive-date=6 September 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120906184744/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/9521237/Grant-Shapps-made-Tory-party-co-chairman-to-revive-partys-grassroots.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-19475248 |title=Cabinet reshuffle: David Cameron's new line-up |date=7 October 2013 |work=BBC News |access-date=3 November 2013 |archive-date=27 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180927111740/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-19475248 |url-status=live }} That November, Shapps hired political strategist Lynton Crosby to provide strategic advice and run the 2015 election campaign, and ended his tenure after the 2015 general election.{{Cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-20382666 |title=Tories hire Boris Johnson's strategist Lynton Crosby |date=18 November 2012 |access-date=3 November 2013 |work=BBC News |archive-date=8 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140208032748/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-20382666 |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-20393681 |title=Grant Shapps on police election votes and Lynton Crosby |date=19 November 2012 |access-date=3 November 2013 |work=BBC News |archive-date=11 September 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130911161333/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-20393681 |url-status=live }}

In March 2013, Shapps defended the Welfare Reform Act 2012 (often referred to as the "Bedroom Tax") saying his own children share a bedroom.{{Cite news |last=Dominiczak |first=Peter |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/9963625/Grant-Shapps-defends-bedroom-tax-by-saying-his-children-share-a-room.html |title=Grant Shapps defends 'bedroom tax' by saying his children share a room |date=31 March 2013 |work=The Telegraph |access-date=28 May 2013 |archive-date=14 April 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130414235951/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/9963625/Grant-Shapps-defends-bedroom-tax-by-saying-his-children-share-a-room.html |url-status=live }} That September, Shapps complained to the Secretary-General of the United Nations about a press release issued in its name stating that the reforms went against human rights.{{Cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-24046094 |title=Conservatives protest to UN over 'bedroom tax' report |date=11 September 2013 |access-date=3 November 2013 |work=BBC News |archive-date=26 September 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130926201021/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-24046094 |url-status=live }} Also in 2013, Shapps speaking on benefit reforms including capping benefits so that no out-of-work household can claim more than the average working family earns said that "nearly a million people have come off incapacity benefit... before going for the test. They've taken themselves off. My big argument here is this is not these people were trying to play the system, as much as these people were forced into a system that played them." His statement was criticised by Andrew Dilnot, Chairman of the UK Statistics Authority, who said that the figure for those previously on incapacity and withdrawing was just 19,700.{{Cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-22720007 |title=Incapacity benefit test claims 'conflated figures' – watchdog |date=30 May 2013 |work=BBC News |access-date=4 February 2014 |archive-date=6 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140206161025/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-22720007 |url-status=live }} The other 878,300 not on benefits consisted of a drop in new claimants of the ESA.

In October 2013, Shapps told The Daily Telegraph that the BBC could forfeit the right to its licence fee if it did not resolve its "culture of waste and secrecy". He also suggested that the organisation was biased against the Conservative Party, saying it did not "apply fairness in both directions" and that there was a "question of credibility for the organisation".{{Cite news |last=Ross |first=Tim |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/bbc/10406971/BBC-could-lose-right-to-licence-fee-over-culture-of-waste-and-secrecy-minister-warns.html |title=BBC could lose right to licence fee over 'culture of waste and secrecy', minister warns |date=26 October 2013 |work=The Telegraph |access-date=3 April 2018 |archive-date=11 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180811162807/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/bbc/10406971/BBC-could-lose-right-to-licence-fee-over-culture-of-waste-and-secrecy-minister-warns.html |url-status=live }} His comments sparked a vigorous response from a former BBC Director General Greg Dyke who said that "politicians shouldn't define partiality".{{Cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2013/oct/27/bbc-licence-fee-threat-greg-dyke-hits-back-tory |title=BBC licence fee threat: Greg Dyke hits back at Tory chairman |last=Syal |first=Rajeev |website=The Guardian |date=27 October 2013 |access-date=11 December 2016 |archive-date=11 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160111070811/http://www.theguardian.com/media/2013/oct/27/bbc-licence-fee-threat-greg-dyke-hits-back-tory |url-status=live }} Others, including the then BBC Director General Tony Hall echoed some of Shapps's comments by saying that the "BBC needs to start treating public money as its own".{{Cite news |last=Hope |first=Christopher |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/bbc/10425514/BBC-needs-to-start-treating-public-money-as-its-own-says-Lord-Hall.html |title=BBC needs to start treating public money as its own, says Lord Hall |date=4 November 2013 |work=The Telegraph |access-date=3 April 2018 |archive-date=11 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180811132930/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/bbc/10425514/BBC-needs-to-start-treating-public-money-as-its-own-says-Lord-Hall.html |url-status=live }}

In March 2014, Shapps tweeted support of the 2014 budget as supporting ordinary people. Opponents criticised Shapps of being patronising to working people by believing their pastimes were limited to bingo and beer, and it drew critical media coverage in The Guardian.{{Cite news |last=Urquhart |first=Conal |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2014/mar/19/grant-shapps-bingo-and-beer-joke-causes-twitter-storm |title=Scorn for 'patronising' beer and bingo tweet from Tory chair Grant Shapps |date=19 March 2014 |work=The Guardian |access-date=11 December 2016 |archive-date=24 May 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160524154145/http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2014/mar/19/grant-shapps-bingo-and-beer-joke-causes-twitter-storm |url-status=live }}

In 2012, The Guardian reported that Shapps's Wikipedia article had been edited from his office to remove embarrassing information and correct an error.{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2012/sep/08/grants-shapps-altered-wikipedia-entry |title=Grant Shapps altered school performance entry on Wikipedia |last=Boffey |first=Daniel |date=8 September 2012 |work=The Guardian |access-date=11 December 2016 |archive-date=23 March 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170323143442/https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2012/sep/08/grants-shapps-altered-wikipedia-entry |url-status=live }}{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2012/sep/11/grant-shapps-wikipedia-edited-gaffe |title=Grant Shapps's Wikipedia page was edited to remove byelection gaffe |last=Ramesh |first=Randeep |date=11 September 2012 |work=The Guardian |access-date=11 December 2016 |archive-date=23 March 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170323143822/https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2012/sep/11/grant-shapps-wikipedia-edited-gaffe |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |last=Ramesh |first=Randeep |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2015/apr/21/grant-shapps-accused-of-editing-wikipedia-pages-of-tory-rivals |title=Grant Shapps accused of editing Wikipedia pages of Tory rivals |date=21 April 2015 |work=The Guardian |access-date=11 December 2016 |archive-date=8 October 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161008165827/https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2015/apr/21/grant-shapps-accused-of-editing-wikipedia-pages-of-tory-rivals |url-status=live }} Shapps stated that he had edited it to make it more accurate.{{Cite news |last=Mason |first=Rowena |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/9590294/Grant-Shapps-my-Michael-Green-alias-was-only-a-joke.html |title=Grant Shapps: my Michael Green alias was only a 'joke' |date=5 October 2012 |work=The Telegraph |access-date=22 April 2015 |archive-date=3 April 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150403065234/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/9590294/Grant-Shapps-my-Michael-Green-alias-was-only-a-joke.html |url-status=live }}

During the 2015 general election campaign, The Guardian reported allegations by a Wikipedia administrator that Shapps had used a sockpuppet account, Contribsx, to remove embarrassing material from his own English Wikipedia page and make "largely unflattering" edits to articles about other politicians, including some in his own party.{{Cite web |url=http://www.channel4.com/news/grant-shapps-wikipedia-edits-contribsx-michael-green |title=Grant Shapps Wikipedia edits: the key questions |date=22 April 2015 |website=Channel 4 News |access-date=23 April 2015 |archive-date=25 April 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150425021542/http://www.channel4.com/news/grant-shapps-wikipedia-edits-contribsx-michael-green |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |url=https://www.theregister.co.uk/2015/04/30/grant_shapps_may_not_have_been_wiki_fiddling/ |title=Is Grant Shapps being naughty on Wikipedia – or did a Lib Dem stitch him up? |date=30 April 2015 |website=The Register |access-date=10 June 2015 |archive-date=10 June 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150610131004/http://www.theregister.co.uk/2015/04/30/grant_shapps_may_not_have_been_wiki_fiddling/ |url-status=live }} Shapps denied the allegations;{{Cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/election-2015-32407991 |title=Election 2015: Grant Shapps denies Wikipedia claims |date=21 April 2015 |work=BBC News |access-date=21 April 2015 |archive-date=22 April 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150422000146/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/election-2015-32407991 |url-status=live }} the Daily Telegraph claimed his accuser was a "Liberal Democrat activist".{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/general-election-2015/11555267/Wikipedia-administrator-who-accused-Grant-Shapps-of-editing-pages-of-Tory-rivals-is-Liberal-Democrat-activist.html|title=Wikipedia administrator who accused Grant Shapps of editing pages of Tory rivals is Liberal Democrat activist |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180215152728/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/general-election-2015/11555267/Wikipedia-administrator-who-accused-Grant-Shapps-of-editing-pages-of-Tory-rivals-is-Liberal-Democrat-activist.html|archive-date=15 February 2018|work=The Telegraph|date=22 April 2015|access-date=15 March 2022}} English Wikipedia's Arbitration Committee found there was "no significant evidence" to link the Contribsx account to Shapps. The elected committee censured the administrator responsible for the allegation, for causing the investigation, for making false allegations to The Guardian, and for blocking the Contribsx account. Another administrator removed the block placed on the account.{{Cite news |last=Ramesh |first=Randeep |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2015/jun/09/wikipedia-account-at-centre-of-row-not-linked-to-grant-shapps |title=Wikipedia: account at centre of row 'not linked' to Grant Shapps |date=9 June 2015 |work=The Guardian |access-date=10 June 2015 |archive-date=29 June 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190629162017/https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2015/jun/09/wikipedia-account-at-centre-of-row-not-linked-to-grant-shapps |url-status=live }}

On 11 May 2015, Shapps was sacked from the Cabinet,{{Cite news |last=Dominizcak |first=Peter |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/11598605/Grant-Shapps-sacked-from-Cabinet-by-David-Cameron.html |title=Grant Shapps sacked from Cabinet by David Cameron |date=11 May 2015 |work=The Telegraph |access-date=12 May 2015 |archive-date=14 May 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150514060947/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/11598605/Grant-Shapps-sacked-from-Cabinet-by-David-Cameron.html |url-status=live }} which he had attended as Conservative Party co-chairman and Minister without portfolio at the Cabinet Office, and appointed as Minister of State at the Department for International Development. BBC political correspondent Chris Mason said the change appeared to be a demotion,{{Cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/election-2015-32683868 |title=Cabinet reshuffle: Amber Rudd and Sajid Javid promoted |date=11 May 2015 |work=BBC News |access-date=12 May 2015 |archive-date=25 June 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150625052904/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/election-2015-32683868 |url-status=live }} while The Guardian{{'}}s chief political correspondent, Nicholas Watt, went further, calling it "a humiliating blow".{{Cite news |last=Watt |first=Nicholas |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2015/may/11/grant-shapps-sacked-cabinet-cameron-reshuffle?CMP=EMCNEWEML6619I2 |title=Grant Shapps sacked from cabinet in Cameron's reshuffle |date=11 May 2015 |work=The Guardian |access-date=12 May 2015 |archive-date=8 December 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208044743/http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2015/may/11/grant-shapps-sacked-cabinet-cameron-reshuffle?CMP=EMCNEWEML6619I2 |url-status=live }}

On 28 November 2015, Shapps stood down as minister of state due to allegations of bullying within the Conservative Party. It has been claimed that Shapps, in his previous role as party co-chairman, had ignored repeated allegations of bullying involving Mark Clarke, the then party youth organiser. Baroness Warsi, Shapps's predecessor as co-chair of the Conservative Party, had written to Shapps to raise concerns about Clarke's conduct in January 2015.{{Cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2015/nov/28/inside-the-investigation-that-forced-grant-shapps-to-resign |title=Inside the investigation that forced Grant Shapps to resign |date=28 November 2015 |work=The Guardian |access-date=3 March 2016 |archive-date=9 April 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160409230252/http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2015/nov/28/inside-the-investigation-that-forced-grant-shapps-to-resign |url-status=live }} Shapps had appointed Clarke to head his party's RoadTrip 2015 campaign in January 2015. Clarke denies all allegations.{{Cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-34952981 |title=Shapps quits amid Tory bullying claims |date=28 November 2015 |work=BBC News |access-date=28 November 2015 |archive-date=28 November 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151128195718/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-34952981 |url-status=live }} The alleged bullying may have caused a young party member, Elliott Johnson, to commit suicide.{{Cite news |last1=Grierson |first1=Jamie |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2015/nov/27/tory-chairmen-should-quit-over-bullying-scandal-says-activists-father |title=Tory chairmen should quit over bullying scandal – activist's father |date=27 November 2015 |work=The Guardian |access-date=28 November 2015 |last2=Hattenstone |first2=Simon |archive-date=28 November 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151128000807/http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2015/nov/27/tory-chairmen-should-quit-over-bullying-scandal-says-activists-father |url-status=live }} The day before Shapps's resignation, Johnson's father had called on Shapps to step down and made the following comments:

{{cquote|Feldman, Shapps and whoever else is involved in this – clearly these senior members of the party have been telling lies ... If they had behaved responsibly ... none of these events would have happened; my son would still be alive and many activists wouldn't have been intimidated and harassed.}}

In August 2018, the Financial Times reported{{Cite news |last=Kelly |first=Jemima |url=https://ftalphaville.ft.com/2018/08/01/1533116572000/Grant-Shapps-resigns-from-blockchain-positions-after-FTAV-discovers-secret-pay-deal-/ |title=Grant Shapps resigns from blockchain positions after FTAV discovers secret pay deal |date=1 August 2018 |work=Financial Times |access-date=13 September 2018 |archive-date=7 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180907075142/https://ftalphaville.ft.com/2018/08/01/1533116572000/Grant-Shapps-resigns-from-blockchain-positions-after-FTAV-discovers-secret-pay-deal-/ |url-status=live }} that it had discovered a "secret pay deal" between Shapps and OpenBrix, a British blockchain property portal company. The story alleged that Shapps would have received payment in cryptocurrency tokens with a future value of up to £700,000. Shapps resigned from OpenBrix and from his position as chairman of the all-party parliamentary group on blockchain which he had founded. Subsequently, Jo Platt, an opposition politician, called for an enquiry into Shapps' conduct, although Shapps maintained that he had confirmed with the standards commissioner that he was not required to register the interest, and that he had recorded the conversation with the relevant official.{{Cite news |last=Mance |first=Henry |url=https://www.ft.com/content/4ba1fdd4-966f-11e8-b67b-b8205561c3fe |title=Labour calls for inquiry into ex-Tory chairman Grant Shapps |date=2 August 2018 |work=Financial Times |access-date=13 September 2018 |archive-date=13 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180913223250/https://www.ft.com/content/4ba1fdd4-966f-11e8-b67b-b8205561c3fe |url-status=live }}

File:Great British Railways; for the passenger.jpg in National Railway Museum, announcing the formation of Great British Railways]]

Boris Johnson appointed Shapps Secretary of State for Transport upon his accession to Prime Minister. In the February 2020 cabinet reshuffle he retained this portfolio.{{Cite web |url=https://www.whtimes.co.uk/news/oliver-dowden-and-grant-shapps-cabinet-roles-1-6513747 |title=Your MPs' roles after cabinet reshuffle |last=Powell |first=Matt |website=Welwyn Hatfield Times |date=13 February 2020 |access-date=13 February 2020 |archive-date=13 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200213213926/https://www.whtimes.co.uk/news/oliver-dowden-and-grant-shapps-cabinet-roles-1-6513747 |url-status=live }} He was given Cabinet responsibility for the Northern Powerhouse.{{Cite tweet|number=1228381564859568130|title=Proud to be asked by the PM to take on responsibility for Northern Powerhouse at Cabinet level.|last=Shapps|first=Grant|date=14 February 2020|user=grantshapps|access-date=16 February 2020}}

In May 2020, the Secretary of State for Transport announced the Active Travel Fund,{{Cite web|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/emergency-active-travel-fund-local-transport-authority-allocations|title=Active travel fund: local transport authority allocations|date=29 May 2020}} which included funding allocations for emergency active travel schemes for local authorities.

On 23 September 2019, Thomas Cook Group fell into administration, leaving more than 150,000 British tourists in need of repatriation. When asked why the Government chose not to bail out the company, Shapps said, "I fear it would have kept them afloat for a very short period of time and then we would have been back in the position of needing to repatriate people in any case."{{Cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/business-49770809 |title=Thomas Cook latest: Repatriation begins |work=BBC News |date=23 September 2019 |access-date=23 September 2019 |archive-date=23 September 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190923090844/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/business-49770809 |url-status=live }}

In October 2019, Shapps, a keen pilot, wrote to the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), urging it to prioritise the protection of aerodromes and cut red tape for pilots. He was accused by Andy McDonald MP, Shadow Transport Secretary, of "putting his hobbyhorse aviation ahead of the greater good" at a time when the CAA was involved in Brexit planning, Heathrow Airport expansion, and dealing with the collapse of Thomas Cook Group.{{Cite news |last=Boffey |first=Daniel |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/grant-shapps-private-plane-pilot-register-faa-caa-a9703401.html |title=Grant Shapps faces questions after 'registering private plane in the US' instead of the UK |work=The Independent |access-date=5 September 2020 |archive-date=10 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200910031657/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/grant-shapps-private-plane-pilot-register-faa-caa-a9703401.html |url-status=live }}{{cite news |url=https://www.theneweuropean.co.uk/brexit-news-grant-shapps-private-plane-90338/ |title=Transport secretary accused of registering private plane in US to bypass British restrictions |first=Jonathon |last=Read |newspaper=The New European |date=3 September 2020 |access-date=1 June 2022 |archive-date=20 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220620210539/https://www.theneweuropean.co.uk/brexit-news-grant-shapps-private-plane-90338/ |url-status=live }} He was later accused by MPs Sarah Olney (Liberal Democrat) and Grahame Morris (Labour) of undermining the CAA by registering his private, UK-based plane in the USA instead of the UK, while Transport Secretary.

In 2021, The Times reported that the Airfield Advisory Team set up by Shapps within CAA lobbied against the redevelopment of private airfields used by general aviation. The newspaper alleged that the team interferes with the government housing plans. He also set up a scheme, offering rebates to pilots who purchase anti-collision "electronic conspicuity" devices used to detect positions of other aircraft in the air.{{cite news |last1=Midolo |first1=Emanuele |author2=Pogrund, Gabriel |title=Grant Shapps, the minister for private jets, is 'lobbying against his own government' |url=https://www.thetimes.com/article/minister-for-private-jets-lobbying-against-his-own-government-l6cmgtkfg |work=The Times |date=13 November 2021 |language=en}}

In May 2020, Shapps unveiled investment in cycle lanes totalling £250 million and plans for e-scooters to be trialled on British roads.{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2020/may/09/uk-to-invest-cycle-lanes-coronavirus-air-pollution|title=UK plans £250m boost for cycle lanes and fast-track e-scooter trials|work=The Guardian|last=Walawalkar|first=Aaron|date=9 May 2020|access-date=6 December 2020|archive-date=26 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201126175602/https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2020/may/09/uk-to-invest-cycle-lanes-coronavirus-air-pollution|url-status=live}}

In January 2022, Shapps collaborated with voice-over and social media personality Seb Sargent as part of a Department for Transport pledge to reduce unnecessary train announcements on trains, which was criticised for being similar to "a parody."{{cite web|url=https://www.lbc.co.uk/news/grant-shapps-train-video/|title=Grant Shapps ridiculed over "Thick of It" train tannoy video|website=LBC |date=21 January 2022|access-date=6 October 2023|df=dmy-all}}{{cite web |last1= The Telegraph |first1=UK |author1-link= The Daily Telegraph|title= Your attention please: Grant Shapps announces curbing of pointless train announcements|url= https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t95nmiMVgws|website=youtube.com |publisher=The Telegraph |language=en |format=video |date=May 12, 2020}}{{cite web|url= https://thetab.com/author/sebtomsargent|title=Seb Sargent, Features Editor for The Cardiff Tab|website=The Tab |date=1 September 2023|access-date=6 October 2023|df=dmy-all}}

File:Grant Shapps logo.svg

Shapps announced his campaign for leadership of the Conservative Party, following the resignation of Boris Johnson, on 9 July 2022.{{cite news |last1=Middleton |first1=Joe |title=Grant Shapps unveils bid to become Conservative leader |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/grant-shapps-conservative-leader-bid-b2119572.html |access-date=9 July 2022 |work=The Independent |date=9 July 2022 |language=en |archive-date=9 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220709161749/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/grant-shapps-conservative-leader-bid-b2119572.html |url-status=live }} He withdrew from the race on 12 July, endorsing Rishi Sunak for leader.{{Cite web |date=12 July 2022 |title=Grant Shapps pulls out of Tory leadership race and backs Rishi Sunak |url=https://www.itv.com/news/2022-07-12/grant-shapps-pulls-out-of-tory-leadership-race-and-backs-rishi-sunak |access-date=12 July 2022 |website=ITV News |language=en |archive-date=12 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220712102431/https://www.itv.com/news/2022-07-12/grant-shapps-pulls-out-of-tory-leadership-race-and-backs-rishi-sunak |url-status=live }}

File:PM Liz Truss announces Grant Shapps as Home Secretary (52440276323).jpg following his appointment as Home Secretary, October 2022]]

Shapps was appointed Home Secretary on 19 October 2022 following the resignation of Suella Braverman.{{cite news|url=https://www.itv.com/news/2022-10-19/suella-braverman-to-depart-as-home-secretary-after-just-six-weeks-in-the-job|title=Grant Shapps replaces Suella Braverman as Home Secretary|work=ITV News|date=19 October 2022|accessdate=19 October 2022}} This occurred one day before Prime Minister Liz Truss announced her own resignation.{{Cite news |title=Liz Truss resigns – and will become shortest-serving prime minister in British history |url=https://news.sky.com/story/liz-truss-to-resign-as-prime-minister-sky-news-understands-12723236 |date=21 October 2022 |access-date=21 October 2022 |work=Sky News |language=en}}

Shapps was appointed business secretary on 25 October 2022 by Rishi Sunak after the resignation of former business secretary Jacob Rees-Mogg while Suella Braverman returned to the position of Home Secretary.{{Cite web |title=Rishi Sunak's new cabinet: Hunt stays while Braverman and Gove return |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/uk-politics-63375473 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221025171715/https://www.bbc.com/news/live/uk-politics-63375473 |archive-date=25 October 2022 |access-date=25 October 2022 |website=BBC News |date=25 October 2022 |language=en-gb}}

File:DESNZ Minister Grant Shapps visits Japan (52816775209).jpg as Energy Secretary, 2023]]

Following a cabinet reshuffle, Shapps was moved into the newly created portfolio of Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero. Shapps' newly formed ministry had been formed from responsibilities taken from his previous role. He was the first holder of the role of Energy Secretary since Amber Rudd in 2016.

File:United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken meets with United Kingdom Defense Minister Grant Shapps at the Department of State in Washington, D.C. on January 31, 2024.jpg Antony Blinken, January 2024]]On 31 August 2023, Shapps was appointed Secretary of State for Defence, replacing Ben Wallace.{{Cite web |date=31 August 2023 |title=Grant Shapps appointed UK's new defence secretary, Downing Street says |url=https://news.sky.com/story/grant-shapps-expected-to-replace-ben-wallace-as-defence-secretary-sky-news-understands-12951209 |access-date=31 August 2023 |website=Sky News}}

In December, he warned that Europe had to look out for their own security, citing how the US support for Ukraine has recently been waning. He also announced details of a new Maritime Capability Coalition for Ukraine, alongside his Norwegian counterpart, Bjørn Arild Gram, which their respective countries are leading.{{cite web | url = https://www.politico.eu/article/grant-shapps-defense-europe-must-defend-itself-with-us-support-in-doubt/ | title = Europe must defend itself with US support in doubt, UK's Grant Shapps says | work = Politico | date = 11 December 2023 | access-date = 11 December 2023}}

He married Belinda Goldstone in 1997. The couple have three children.{{Cite web |url=http://www.conservatives.com/People/Prospective_Parliamentary_Candidates/Shapps_Grant.aspx |title=Parliamentary Candidate for Welwyn Hatfield Shadow Housing Minister |publisher=The Conservative Party |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100429171143/http://www.conservatives.com/People/Prospective_Parliamentary_Candidates/Shapps_Grant.aspx |archive-date=29 April 2010 |access-date=29 April 2010}} In 1999 Shapps was diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma and underwent chemotherapy and radiotherapy, recovering from the cancer by the following year.{{Cite web |url=http://www.whtimes.co.uk/news/cancer_survivor_mp_shapps_backs_research_campaign_1_1936232 |title=Cancer survivor MP Shapps backs research campaign |date=17 February 2013 |website=Welwyn Hatfield Times |access-date=3 November 2013 |archive-date=4 November 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131104161723/http://www.whtimes.co.uk/news/cancer_survivor_mp_shapps_backs_research_campaign_1_1936232 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |url=http://www.politicshome.com/uk/article/74310/grant_shapps_keeping_it_real.html |title=Grant Shapps: Keeping It Real | House Magazine |date=15 March 2013 |publisher=PoliticsHome |access-date=3 November 2013 |archive-date=4 November 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131104211912/http://www.politicshome.com/uk/article/74310/grant_shapps_keeping_it_real.html |url-status=live }} After the successful chemotherapy, his children{{Cite web |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/people/grant-shapps |title=The Rt Hon Grant Shapps MP |publisher=Government of the United Kingdom |access-date=3 November 2013 |archive-date=17 April 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150417161151/https://www.gov.uk/government/people/grant-shapps |url-status=live }} were conceived by IVF.

Shapps lists his recreations in Who's Who as "private pilot with IMC [Instrument Meteorological Conditions] and night qualifications".

Shapps is Jewish: in a 2010 interview with The Jewish Chronicle, he stated that he follows Jewish traditions but personally considers himself to be an agnostic and an indifferentist.{{Cite web |date=2 September 2010 |title=Interview: Grant Shapps |url=https://www.thejc.com/lifestyle/features/interview-grant-shapps-1.17732 |access-date= |website=The Jewish Chronicle}}

On 11 April 2025, Shapps was Knighted in Rishi Sunak's Resignation Honours List.{{cite website|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/resignation-honours-and-peerages-april-2025 |title= Resignation Honours and Peerages: April 2025|work=gov.uk |access-date=11 April 2025}}

Shapps was sworn of the Privy Council on 21 July 2010 at Buckingham Palace, giving him the honorific title "The Right Honourable" for life.{{Cite web |url=http://www.privy-council.org.uk/files/word/LIST%209%20June%202010.doc |title=Privy Council appointments, 9 June 2010 |publisher=Privy Council |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101202221059/http://www.privy-council.org.uk/files/word/LIST%209%20June%202010.doc |archive-date=2 December 2010 |access-date=26 July 2010}}{{cite web |url=https://privycouncil.independent.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/WEBSITE-LIST2-21-July-2010.pdf |title=ORDERS APPROVED AT THE PRIVY COUNCIL HELD BY THE QUEEN AT BUCKINGHAM PALACE ON 21ST JULY 2010 |last=Simpson |first=Judith |date=21 July 2010 |website=The Privy Council Office |access-date=19 October 2022 }} In April 2025, Shapps was knighted in the 2024 Prime Minister's Resignation Honours by Rishi Sunak "for political and public service".{{Cite web |date=11 April 2025 |title=Resignation Honours April 2025 |url=https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/67f905f16812c7adcf513f44/Resignation_Honours_List_2025.pdf}}

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• [http://www.shapps.com/ Grant Shapps MP] Official constituency site
• {{UK MP links | parliament = grant-shapps/1582 | hansardcurr = 4846 | guardian = 6173/grant-shapps | publicwhip = Grant_Shapps | theywork = grant_shapps | record = Grant-Shapps/Welwyn-Hatfield/541 | journalisted = grant-shapps }}

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Category:1968 births

Category:Living people

Category:Jewish English politicians

Category:Alumni of Manchester Metropolitan University

Category:Chairmen of the Conservative Party (UK)

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Category:Ministers of state for housing of the United Kingdom

Category:Knights Bachelor

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Category:People educated at Watford Grammar School for Boys

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Category:UK MPs 2005–2010

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