I am delighted to have been selected as Liberal Democrat PPC for Hexham.
I was fortunate to grow up in the constituency, living in the Tyne Valley, and attending local schools. I have enormous affection for the area and had my first campaigning experiences in the constituency delivering leaflets for Philip Latham in Stocksfield aged 14.
Politics has been an important part of my life and I care deeply about social inequalities. I believe in a free, liberal democratic society, which needs protecting and enhancing. My liberal values have kept me involved in the party for almost 25 years. I have been a local councillor in Newcastle for most of those, currently representing Fawdon and West Gosforth ward. From 2004 to 2011, I was Executive Member for Children's Services in the LibDem administration of the Council and worked to address issues for children and theor families. Among the successes was the award of beacon status for preventing and tackling child poverty. I have been involved with the Local Government Association and served on a Ministerial Advisory Group during the Coalition Government. I have been Leader of Newcastle's Liberal Democrat Group and Leader of the Opposition. I have stood for parliament on three separate occasions for constituencies in Newcastle.
Outside of politics, I am a lecturer in history, working online and at a distance for the Open and St Andrews universities.
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Liberal Democrat Leader rallies his party ahead of this year's General Election.
