About me

Monday, 05 July 2010

"I was elected as the member for Southport succeeding Ronnie (now Lord) Fearn in 2001. In my first term at Westminster I served on the Transport, Local Government and Regions Select Committee and was Liberal Democrat education spokesperson with responsibility for schools.

Following my re-election to Parliament in 2005, served as shadow spokesperson for Transport and Health, and following the election of Nick Clegg as party leader worked with Vince Cable as Shadow Treasury spokesperson.

With the formation of the Coalition in 2010 I have been appointed as Co-Chair of the Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Committee for Health and Social Care."

"Born in Liverpool, I graduated in Philosophy from Durham University before entering the teaching profession.  I have taught in Secondary Modern, Comprehensive and Independent schools and prior to my election was Head of Philosophy and Religious Studies at Merchant Taylors’ School in Crosby.

"I moved to Southport in 1974 and joined the Liberal Party in 1977. Since 1987 I have represented Birkdale Ward as a Sefton councillor.  I was elected leader of the Sefton Liberal Democrat group in 1992 and was leader of Sefton Metropolitan Council at the time of my election to parliament. Until the 2001 General election the council had been a big part of my life.  Though it was stressful at times, particularly when trying to live with the hopelessly northern biased  government grant and funding systems which meant that financing services was always a great problem, it was also very rewarding.  My chief source of pride is that we managed to keep education spending up in good years and bad, and didn't duck tough decisions.

"As an MP I relish the independence I now have to criticise the council when it makes mistakes and praise it when it does well."