The death has been announced of Christopher Graffius. May he rest in peace.
The family of Christopher Graffius have told his friends that Christopher died peacefully in his sleep on February 11th 2026.
After graduation at St. Andrews University, where in 1983 Christopher had joined and campaigned for the SDP-Liberal Alliance, he came to Westminster to work for the Fife MP, Menzies (Ming) Campbell.
In 1985, as Liberal Chief Whip, I then appointed him as our Whips Office manager and, over the years, in a number of different roles, we worked alongside one another, remaining firm friends.
In the 1987 and 1992 General Elections, Christopher campaigned in my Liverpool constituency.
In Parliament, he worked with me in promoting my Private Member’s Bill to end late abortions, against destructive experiments on human embryos, in opposing attempts to legalise euthanasia, and my campaign against anti personnel landmines. Through pro life work he also became close to my wife, Lizzie, and, in due course, to our wider family, becoming a Godfather to one of our children.
In the Commons, Christopher worked on my successful amendment to curb gratuitously violent videos; in founding the Epiphany Group and the cross-party Movement for Christian Democracy – with its six principles of respect for life; social justice; active compassion; reconciliation, empowerment and good stewardship. He defined himself against the political philosophy of Jacques Maritain.
Christopher brought those ideas with him when he became the MCD’s first Secretary General. It was a post to which he was perfectly suited ( following in the footsteps of his revered uncle, Pratap (Lord) Chitnis, who had been the Chief Executive of the Liberal Party Organisation and the Rowntree Trust).
Like his uncle, Christopher’s conscience had been formed at Lancashire’s Stonyhurst College, with its emphasis on being “a man for others” and striving for the common good.
The College had its origins in penal times, in a period of religious persecution – and Christopher was encyclopaedic in his knowledge of the recusant families and the struggle for Catholic emancipation, which culminated in the nineteenth century. His knowledge of past suffering animated his passionate belief in contemporary religious freedom. His formation was part of his DNA and saw him through many challenges, not least his last battle with illness
Christopher was no mean wordsmith and contributed newspaper columns, essays, blogs, op eds, and a short book surveying the political landscape. He was intellectually curious, loathed no-platforming and strongly in favour of free speech. He was passionate about the sustainability of the countryside and rural England (a cause he worked for professionally for two decades). He had a deep love of his children.
The very best of company, Christopher enjoyed traditional food and fare washed down by a glass of good red wine. The best of friends, the best of companions – in season and out of season.
For his family and his friends Christopher’s death is a great loss.
As he now prepares the way which all of us must follow, we will mourn him and be grateful for his steadfast friendship.
1996 – Christopher writing as Secretary General of the Movement for Christian Democracy
1992 Christopher with me at the Counting of Votes and Election Victory at Liverpool Mossley Hill
Christopher, with his Godson, James.
The best of friends, the best of company – he will be sorely missed.
