Hitchin
Charles Bunker

Early Life and Local Roots

Charles Bunker has been a proud resident of Hitchin since the age of five. His early education took place at St Andrew’s School (old site) and Kingshott, before continuing his studies in Bedford. During one memorable summer, Charles worked as a lifeguard at Hitchin’s outdoor swimming pool, demonstrating his commitment to local community service from a young age.

A Family Deeply Embedded in the Community

Charles’s wife, Suzie, had a distinguished career as both a pupil and teacher at Hitchin Girls' School, retiring after a long tenure. Their three children also benefited from a local education, attending schools in Hitchin, Letchworth, and Baldock.

Professional Achievements and Contributions

After initially pursuing a career in banking, Charles qualified as a chartered accountant. His professional journey took him through international corporate finance, focusing on technology start-ups, including green technologies, as well as turnaround and recovery situations. For the past year, Charles managed the Orchard Tea Garden in Grantchester, renowned for its association with Rupert Brooke and the Bloomsbury Set.

Charles served as a non-executive director of the QEII Hospital in Welwyn Garden City for two terms. During his tenure, the hospital saw a 25% increase in Completed Patient Episodes with only a 5% rise in real income, becoming the top-performing hospital in the region. His strong opposition to the merger of the Lister and QEII hospitals was based on his belief in the necessity of increased NHS capacity. His stance has been validated by subsequent developments, demonstrating his practical understanding of NHS issues beyond mere theoretical discussion.

Contributions to Education and Universities

Charles also held the position of Chairman of the Board of Governors for Regent’s College and the European Business School. His leadership was instrumental in rescuing these institutions from bankruptcy and transforming them into Regent’s University in Regents Park. This experience has given him insight into the current challenges faced by universities, particularly regarding the value proposition of many degrees.

Political Involvement and Advocacy

As the founding chairman of the Hitchin and Harpenden Conservative Association, Charles played a crucial role in its rise to prominence within the Conservative Party. However, he believes that the Conservative Party has significantly declined, leading him to support Reform UK. He maintains that while he has not abandoned the Conservative Party, it has deviated from its original principles.

Charles was also the Parliamentary Candidate for the Brexit Party in Bedford during the 2019 General Election, which he found to be a valuable and enlightening experience.

Published Works and Call to Action

In addition to his political and community service, Charles has authored four historical novels in the de Gressier series and regularly contributes essays and pamphlets on Substack.

Charles invites those disillusioned with the current political landscape to join him in revitalizing British politics. He encourages individuals to get involved, volunteer, and help campaign to bring a renewed sense of hope and effectiveness to the nation.