Soon after being elected as MP for Meriden in May 1997, Caroline was appointed Shadow Secretary of State for International Development. Over the last eight years, Caroline has worked on the Health, International Development and Environment brief.
She was also Shadow Minister for Women until 2004, when she was appointed Shadow Secretary of State for Local and Devolved Government Affairs, heading a large team covering local and regional government, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
As Shadow Minister for Women, Caroline launched a nationwide poster campaign on domestic violence with the support of Women's Aid, the NSPCC and the Police Federation. Under David Cameron's leadership, Caroline remained in the Shadow Cabinet as Shadow Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government until July 2007 when she was appointed to Chairman of the Conservative Party.
Before entering politics Caroline worked in agriculture for 15 years and set up her own company in bio-technology. She is married with three teenage children and her recreations include cooking and gardening.