Michael Bates is Deputy Chairman of the Conservative Party and Project Director of Campaign North,

He is a Graduate of Oxford University and former Member of Parliament for Langbaurgh. Whilst in Westminster, he was a Government Whip (1994-96), Tyne & Wear Sponsor Minister (1996-97) and H M Paymaster General (1996-1997).

In his private life, Michael was Director of Consultancy & Research for Oxford Analytica (1998-2006) and is currently a senior advisor to a number of business and international organisations. Michael lives in Durham where he is a director of the Vardy Group of Companies.