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Parliamentary Treasury Team

Liberal Democrat Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer

Vincent Cable MP

Portrait of Vincent Cable MP.

Postal Address:House of Commons, Westminster, London SW1A 0AA
Telephone Number:020 7219 5746
Facsimile Number:020 7219 1191
E-mail Address:
Web Site Address:http://www.twickenhamlibdems.co.uk
Web Site Address:http://www.vincentcable.org.uk

Liberal Democrat Shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury

Julia Goldsworthy MP

Biography:Julia Goldsworthy Member of Parliament for Falmouth and Camborne Julia Goldsworthy was born and brought up in Camborne, where her mother was a teacher. She won a scholarship to Truro School, and then went on to study History at Cambridge University. After university she worked for Truro MP Matthew Taylor, researching and campaigning on local issues for the Liberal Democrat Team in Cornwall. After a stint working with local businesses at the Business Unit of a nearby college, Julia began working for the Regeneration Team at Carrick District Council. Here she helped local businesses and organisations get the most out of Objective One, in order to create a more secure economic future for the county. And when she's not campaigning for a fair deal for Cornwall or holding local surgeries, the chances are she'll be in a gig boat, rowing for Helford River Pilot Gig Club!
Postal Address:House of Commons London SW1A 0AA
Web Site Address:http://www.juliagoldsworthy.org/

Liberal Democrat Treasury Spokesman in the House of Lords

Lord Dick Newby

Portrait of Lord Dick Newby.

Biography:Dick Newby was born in Rothwell, West Yorkshire and attended Rothwell Grammar School before studying Politics, Philosophy and Economics at St Catherine's College Oxford. He grew up in a Labour stronghold and was a member of the Labour Party at university and in several London Boroughs. During the 1975 European referendum, he was General Secretary of Young European Left, the pro-European youth wing of the Labour Party. Dick Newby worked for the Social Democratic Party (SDP) for its whole life and was its chief executive from 1983-88. He has worked on all subsequent Lib Dem General Election campaigns, as press officer to Paddy Ashdown (1992), Deputy Campaign Chairman (1997) and subsequently as a member of the Campaigns and Communications Committee. Dick was Charles Kennedy's Chief of Staff during his period as Leader. Outside politics he has been a tax man (HM Customs and Excise 1974-81), corporate affairs director of a property company (Rosehaugh 1988-92) and a PR/public affairs adviser (1992-2001). HeI now Chairs Live Consulting, a corporate responsibility consultancy . He is also Chair of Sport at The Prince's Trust and a Trustee of International Development through Sport (IDS UK) and the Playing Alive Foundation. Dick is a non-executive director of Elmwood Design Ltd. Dick is married to Ailsa - a Church of England vicar - and have two university-aged sons.
Postal Address:House of Lords London SW1A 0PW
Telephone Number:020 7960 6502
Facsimile Number:020 7219 4881
E-mail Address:

Liberal Democrat Spokesman on the Treasury and Work and Pensions in the House of Lords

Lord Matthew Oakeshott

Telephone Number:020 7439 4400
Facsimile Number:020 7734 1445
E-mail Address:

Liberal Democrat Member of the House of Lords Economic Affairs Committee

Lord Iain Vallance

Biography:LORD VALLANCE OF TUMMEL (Iain Vallance): Born 1943, was educated at the Edinburgh Academy, Dulwich College, Glasgow Academy, Brasenose College Oxford University and the London Business School. He was made a Knight Bachelor in 1994 and joined the House of Lords, as a Liberal Democrat Peer, in 2004. He is a member of the Select Committee on Economic Affairs. He is Chairman of the European Services Forum, Chairman of Nations Healthcare Ltd, Chairman of Amsphere Ltd, a member of the Supervisory Board of Siemens AG, of the Allianz AG International Advisory Board, and of the European Advisory Council of the Rothschild Group. A former Vice Chairman of the Royal Bank of Scotland Group, he was also a member (former Chairman) of the European Advisory Committee to the New York Stock Exchange. Lord Vallance spent his executive career with BT Plc, joining its Board at its inception in 1981, becoming Chief Executive in 1986 and Chairman from 1987 until May 2001. He is a former President of the CBI (2000-2002) and a former member of the Board of Directors of the Mobil Corporation. He is Vice President (former Chairman) of the Princess Royal Trust for Carers, Chairman of the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama and a former member of the Security Commission. He is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Bankers in Scotland, a Fellow of the London Business School, an Honorary Governor of Glasgow Academy and an Honorary Fellow of Brasenose College Oxford.
Postal Address:House of Lords London SW1A 0PW

Liberal Democrat Treasury Select Committee Member

John Thurso MP

Biography:John Thurso was elected MP for Caithness Sutherland and Easter Ross at the general election in June 2001. He was a member of the Liberal Democrat Shadow Cabinet from October 2001 until March 2006, serving as Shadow Secretary of State for Scotland from October 2001-March 2006 and took on the additional role of Shadow Secretary of State for Transport from October 2003 until May 2005. Currently a member of the Administration Committee and the Speaker's Advisory Committee on Works of Art, he was a member of the Culture, Media and Sport select committee from 2001 until May 2005. Born 10th September 1953, John was educated in Thurso and at Eton following which he joined the Savoy Group as a management trainee in 1972. He has had a distinguished career in the hospitality industry, managing the Lancaster in Paris (81-85) and founding Cliveden (85-92) before becoming CEO of Granfel Holdings, owners of East Sussex National Golf Course from 1992 to 1995. From 1995 until his election to Parliament he was CEO of the Champneys group and featured in the TV documentary "Trouble at the top- shape up with Lord Thurso". John retains his links with the industry through his Presidency of the Tourism Society and the Academy of Food and Wine Service. He is a Fellow of the HCIMA and was their Patron for 6 years, until June 2003. Coming from an old Liberal family (his grandfather was party leader 1935-1945), John has always had a keen interest in politics. Following his father's death in 1995 he took his seat in the House of Lords where he was spokesman on Tourism and later Food. He was a Highland list candidate in 1999. John spoke many times in the House of Lords in favour of Lords reform and following the 1999 Act, chose not to try and stay. He is the first and only hereditary peer to have been elected to the Commons having previously sat in the Lords. John and his wife Marion have been married for 26 years and have a daughter and 2 sons. The family live in Thurso.
Postal Address:House of Commons London SW1A 0AA
Web Site Address:http://www.johnthurso.org/

Liberal Democrat Treasury Select Committee Member

Colin Breed MP

Biography:Although born in London Colin Breed moved to the West Country in his early teens where he was educated. He then joined the Midland Bank from school. During 17 years with them he held numerous positions reaching a culmination as he became the Bank's youngest manager when appointed to the area office in Plymouth. Subsequently he spent 10 years in Investment Banking, specialising in Venture Capital and Corporate finance. After leaving banking Colin owned and managed a small distribution business, which has now been sold. This enabled him to work at being the Prospective Parliamentary candidate for South East Cornwall. Colin Breed had a double celebration on winning his seat for the first time in May 1997 as he celebrated his 50th birthday three days later. Colin celebrated the birth of his first grandson, Benjamin Michael, on 1st November 2001. Colin's first parliamentary job was as the Party's spokesman on Competition and Consumer Affairs and his report "Checking out the Supermarkets" instigated the Office for Fair Trading report and the Competition Commission investigation into supermarket profitability. In October 1999, Charles Kennedy appointed Colin to the Liberal Democrat Shadow Cabinet as Shadow Minister for Agriculture and Rural Affairs Minister. In September 2000 Colin Breed published 'Roots to Recovery', his spokesman's paper on the future of rural Britain. Colin continues to sit on the DEFRA select committee which has weekly meetings - currently he is also part of the Cetacean By-Catch Sub-Committee which is looking into dolphin deaths. He was a member of the Standing committee that considered the Animal Health Bill. Colin is a lay member of the General Medical Council and is an executive member of the Council of Advanced Arab and British Understanding (CAABU). Colin is currently the treasurer of the All Parliamentary Party Cricket group as well as the Treasurer of the All Parliamentary Party Group on Gibraltar. He is also the Vice-Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Party Groups on Ethiopia and Palestine and the All Party Parliamentary Methodist Group. Colin is a Methodist Local Preacher.
Postal Address:House of Commons London SW1A 0AA
Telephone Number:020 7219 2588
Web Site Address:http://www.colinbreed.org.uk/

Parliamentary Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Team

Liberal Democrat Shadow Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform:

Sarah Teather MP

Biography:Sarah Teather entered Parliament at her second attempt in 2003, gaining this seat from the Labour party on a swing of 29%. Sarah Teather read Natural Sciences at St John's College, Cambridge. She worked in science policy both in the public and private sectors, first at the Royal Society advising the UK government on controversial aspects of science, and later at a science policy consultancy, evaluating public policies on science and innovation for governments across Europe. Before becoming an MP, Sarah worked for Macmillan Cancer Relief, where she advised on health and social policy; she also served for a year as an Islington borough councillor [2002-03]. In her spare time (not much of it!), Sarah enjoys catching up with friends and music - she also sings soprano in the Parliament Choir. As an MP her work on local issues includes: campaigning against the Council Tax, ID cars and tuition fees; and for local Post Offices and Jamil el-Banna's return to the UK; improving access to GPs; and the housing crisis. Brent East is said to be the most ethnically diverse constituency in the country and to communicate better with her constituents Sarah is taking Gujarati and Urdu lessons. In the 2001 Parliament she was a member of the Health team [2003-04] and spokesperson on London issues [2004-05]; she continues to take a particular interest in mental health issues in London. She became the Shadow Secretary for Community & Local Government in 2005 and Shadow Education Secretary in 2006. Following the splitting of the Education department in July 2007 Sarah became Shadow Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills. After becoming the new leader of the Liberal Democrats, Nick Clegg appointed Sarah as Shadow Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform.
Postal Address:1 High Road Willesden Green LONDON NW10 2TE
Telephone Number:020 8459 0455
Facsimile Number:020 8830 3280
E-mail Address:
Web Site Address:http://www.sarahteather.libdems.org.uk/

Liberal Democrat Shadow Small Businesses and Women and Equalities Spokeswoman

Lorely Burt MP

Biography:Lorely Burt gained Solihull from the Conservatives in the 2005 general election. After being elected Lorely was given the role of Liberal Democrat Shadow Northern Ireland Minister. She was also appointed to the Whips team of the Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Party and appointed to the prestigious position of a member of the Treasury Select Committee. In the recent cabinet reshuffle under new leader Menzies Campbell, Lorely has been promoted to the Shadow Small Business Brief and is also the party's new spokesperson for Women and Equality. Before being elected as the MP for Solihull, Lorely was a business consultant working throughout the West Midlands. After gaining her first degree Lorely served in HM Prison Service as an Assistant Governor. She then moved into Personnel, working for Beecham, Forte and Europcar as UK Personnel and Training Manager before moving back to the Midlands to set up her own award-winning training company. She has been a director of companies in the marketing and financial services sectors before moving into part-time consultancy in order to dedicate more time to representing Solihull and becoming the first Liberal Democrat MP for Solihull. Lorely has plenty of political experience having served 5 years as a councillor in Dudley MBC, stood for Dudley South at the 2001 General Election, for the West Midlands Region in the 2004 Euro Elections and served on the Liberal Democrats' Federal Policy Committee and West Midlands Regional Executive. She is also West Midlands spokesperson on Small Businesses. In addition to her Bachelor's Degree in Economics, she holds the Master of Business Administration and is a Fellow of the Institute of Sales and Marketing Management. Lorely is married to Richard Burt, Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group on Dudley Council and has a daughter, Emma, and step-son, James.
Postal Address:House of Commons London SW1A 0AA
Telephone Number:020 7219 8269
E-mail Address:
Web Site Address:http://lorelyburt.org.uk/
Web Site Address:http://www.solihullmeriden-libdems.org.uk/

Liberal Democrat Trade and Industry Spokesman in the House of Lords

Lord Tim Razzall

Biography:I was born in 1943 into a political family. My father Humphrey Razzall was a Liberal candidate in the 1945 general election. However, at University law and cricket were my passions, where I played a number of games for Oxford against county sides. After Oxford I taught at Northwestern University in Chicago for a while before returning to London. I qualified as a solicitor in 1969 and worked for Frere Cholmeley (later Frere Cholmeley Bischoff), becoming a partner in 1973. In 1974 I moved into politics, contesting Mortlake Ward in Richmond. I won and held the seat for the next 24 years. In 1983 when I was deputy leader we took control of Richmond Borough Council. I then went on to chair the Policy and Resources Committee for the next 13 years. During this time I was constantly fighting against the increased centralisation of local government expenditure. In 1986 I became joint Treasurer of the Liberal Party and then the Treasurer of the newly merged Liberal Democrats in 1988. I was also Vice-Chair of the Liberal Democrat Councillors and then president 1990-95. On the career front I became the Chief Executive of Frere Cholmeley Bischoff in 1990 and oversaw the expansion strategy of the firm. In 1992 I was chosen as "European Lawyer of the Year". I left in 1995 to set up my own business, Argonaut Associates, which specialises in giving business advice to growth companies. In the 1992 and 1997 General Elections I had roles in the organisation of the campaign. In 1997 this involved running the Leader's tours operation and the key 'final week' group. In the 2005 General Election I was the Chair of the Campaigns & Communications Committee I was awarded the CBE in 1993 and made a Life Peer in 1997. In the Lords I am the Party's spokesman on trade and industry.

Liberal Democrat Member of the House of Lords Economic Affairs Committee

Lord Iain Vallance

Biography:LORD VALLANCE OF TUMMEL (Iain Vallance): Born 1943, was educated at the Edinburgh Academy, Dulwich College, Glasgow Academy, Brasenose College Oxford University and the London Business School. He was made a Knight Bachelor in 1994 and joined the House of Lords, as a Liberal Democrat Peer, in 2004. He is a member of the Select Committee on Economic Affairs. He is Chairman of the European Services Forum, Chairman of Nations Healthcare Ltd, Chairman of Amsphere Ltd, a member of the Supervisory Board of Siemens AG, of the Allianz AG International Advisory Board, and of the European Advisory Council of the Rothschild Group. A former Vice Chairman of the Royal Bank of Scotland Group, he was also a member (former Chairman) of the European Advisory Committee to the New York Stock Exchange. Lord Vallance spent his executive career with BT Plc, joining its Board at its inception in 1981, becoming Chief Executive in 1986 and Chairman from 1987 until May 2001. He is a former President of the CBI (2000-2002) and a former member of the Board of Directors of the Mobil Corporation. He is Vice President (former Chairman) of the Princess Royal Trust for Carers, Chairman of the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama and a former member of the Security Commission. He is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Bankers in Scotland, a Fellow of the London Business School, an Honorary Governor of Glasgow Academy and an Honorary Fellow of Brasenose College Oxford.
Postal Address:House of Lords London SW1A 0PW

Liberal Democrat Member of Trade and Industry Select Committee

Mark Hunter MP

Biography:Mark Hunter is the Liberal Democrat MP for Cheadle. Mark is also a Lib Dem parliamentary spokesman on Home Affairs issues and is the Liberal Democrat representative on the House of Commons Trade and Industry Select Committee. Mark Hunter was elected to represent Cheadle with a majority of 3,657, having been elected in a by-election to succeed local favourite Patsy Calton on 14 July 2005. Cheadle Parlimentary By-election Result 2005. Mark Hunter lives locally in Bramhall and is married to Lesley. They have two teenage children - Robert (16) and Francesca (17). Mark has a proven record of action for local people in the Cheadle Constituency over many years both as leader of the local Council and working alongside Patsy Calton. Along with Patsy Calton, Mark has played a leading role in moving forward the vital long awaited A555 link road that will do much to tackle congestion across our area. Mark has also helped get more police on patrol locally and clean up our local streets. Under Mark's leadership, the Council has become the leading Metropolitan Council for recycling in the country. New measures to protect our heritage and to tackle the problems of infill development have also been introduced. As our new local MP, Mark will be a hard working and effective MP who will really get things done for local people. As well as fighting for local people on issues like the vital A555 link, more police and fairer funding for local schools, Mark will also speak out on big national issues. Mark Hunter said, "I will fight to abolish Labour's tuition fees and the unfair Council Tax. I will continue to demand the truth from Tony Blair about his war in Iraq. I also hope to speak up for our environment - which has been ignored by Conservative and Labour Governments."
Postal Address:House of Commons London SW1A 0AA
Telephone Number:020 7219 3889
Facsimile Number:020 7219 0813
Web Site Address:http://www.markhunter.org.uk/

European Parliamentary Trade and Industry Team

International Trade Committee Member and WTO Observer

Sajjad H Karim MEP

Biography:Sajjad is one of nine MEPs representing the North West of England. Since his election to the European Parliament in 2004 Sajjad Karim has established an enviable reputation on the European stage through his tireless work in parliamentary committees and on behalf of his North West constituency, based on his firmly held Liberal beliefs and principles and strong instincts of equality and diversity. One of nine MEP's representing more than 7 million residents of the North West of England - covering Cumbria, Cheshire, Greater Manchester, Merseyside and Lancashire - Sajjad is a member of a range of committees from which he tackles local issues through Regional Development Committee and issues further a field through the International Trade, Human Rights and the emergency CIA Renditions Committees. His youthful energy, enthusiasm, commitment and vision are matched by a sharp grasp of the international issues facing the world today, especially in the context of both trade and human rights. He was recently named as "a high flyer of British politics" by The Times in its Who's Who of 2005. Sajjad has made his mark on the European stage on International Trade, challenging EU Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson over a variety of issues not least the challenge of globalisation and the threat from emerging economies such as China and India. He is the ALDE Group's Spokesperson on the Doha Development Round and has travelled to both Hong Kong and Geneva to observe negotiations. His work to tackle child labour and ensure that it is recognised as an International Trade issue, underlines his passion for causes, which exist at the point where trade and human rights collide. In the field of Human Rights, Sajjad has also established his credentials as a fierce opponent, tackling the very serious erosion of the Human Rights of EU citizens, in particular those from ethnic minority communities, as a result of the global fight on terror post 9/11 and 7/7. Sajjad was elected as Vice-President of the European Parliament's Anti-Racism and Diversity Inter-group and is Co-Chair of the European Muslim Forum. As an outspoken critic of the UK Government's illiberal anti-terror legislation and allegations of CIA renditions, Karim has consistently raised concerns on behalf of Muslims across Europe. Speaking after questioning EU High Representative Javier Solano at a recent CIA Committee meeting Karim said: "It is disgraceful that after five years of the 'War on Terror' Solana cannot offer a well-versed action plan to bridge the gap between rhetoric about common values and the reality of exclusion and discrimination faced by Muslims in the EU." Sajjad is a member for the Delegation for Relations with the Gulf States and has travelled to Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates in recent months to address issues concerning both International Trade and Regional Security. Sajjad is a Substitute for the Delegation to South Asia and South Asia Association but it is a region, which garners his full attention as he has taken a keen interest in the political settlement of Kashmir, the emergency reconstruction efforts post tsunami and earthquake and is the Rapporteur on EU-India Trade and Economic Relations Report. He has also recently been appointed as the inaugural Chair of the European Parliament Friends of Pakistan, a group designed to provide a forum to share and discuss issues of common concern and mutual benefit between the EU and Pakistan. Sajjad is married to Zahida, a teacher, and they have two children a son, Bilal, and a daughter, Rabia. Sajjad serves on the: Committee on International Trade, MEMBER Committee on Foreign Affairs, SUBSTITUTE Committee on Regional Development, SUBSTITUTE Subcommittee on Human Rights, MEMBER Delegation for relations with the Gulf States, including Yemen, MEMBER Delegation for relations with the countries of South Asia and the South Asia Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), SUBSTITUTE Committee on CIA Extraordinary Renditions MEMBER Rapporteur on EU-India Trade and Economic Relations Report 2006
Postal Address:8 Manchester Road Nelson Lancashire BB9 7EG
Telephone Number:01282 613 616
Facsimile Number:01282 616 177
E-mail Address:
Web Site Address:http://www.sajjadkarim.org.uk/index.html

The Liberal Democrat Business Forum

LIBERAL DEMOCRAT BUSINESS FORUM

Postal Address:4 Cowley Street LONDON SW1P 3NB
Telephone Number:020 7340 4914
E-mail Address:

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