Christopher Hope: Leading Voice in British Political Journalism

A Career Spanning Westminster and Beyond

Christopher Hope joined GB News in August 2023 as Political Editor and Head of Politics, following 20 years at The Daily Telegraph from 2003 to 2023. His journey in journalism began in local newspapers before progressing to business reporting and eventually specialising in Westminster politics.

Hope was part of the team of Daily Telegraph journalists that broke the news of the parliamentary expenses scandal, one of the most significant political stories in recent British history. He claims to have coined the term ‘flipping’ to denote the alleged practice of MPs re-designating second homes.

Current Role and Political Coverage

As GB News Political Editor, Christopher Hope has established himself as a formidable interviewer, holding politicians accountable with searching questions. Recent headlines have captured his confrontational style when challenging government officials who decline to answer questions from GB News viewers.

GB News is described as a channel where politicians can talk freely and are examined in a robust but fair way, with Hope striving to be even-handed whilst keeping his own politics to himself. His approach emphasises listening rather than shouting, creating space for meaningful political discourse.

Personal Resilience and Family Advocacy

Beyond his professional achievements, Hope’s personal story demonstrates remarkable resilience. In April 2007, his wife Sarah and daughter Pollyanna were involved in a bus crash in south London which killed Sarah’s mother Elizabeth, left Sarah with extensive life-changing injuries, and resulted in Pollyanna having a leg amputated.

The family’s response to tragedy was remarkable. Sarah, with her twin sister Victoria, established Elizabeth’s Legacy of Hope charity, which raised over £600,000 to support more than 120 child amputees in Sierra Leone, Liberia and India. Sarah won a Pride of Britain award in 2017 and was made MBE in 2020 for her work on road safety and supporting child amputees.

Significance for British Political Journalism

Christopher Hope represents a traditional yet evolving approach to political journalism. His decades of Westminster experience, combined with his commitment to asking difficult questions on behalf of viewers, positions him as a significant voice in contemporary British media. As political divisions deepen and trust in institutions fluctuates, journalists like Hope who prioritise accountability and transparency become increasingly vital to democratic discourse.