Constituency : Greenwich 1987-92 (SDP, after 1990 Independent Social Democrat)
Rosie gave the Alliance a huge boost in the run-up to the general election when she defeated Labour's left wing candidate in Greenwich. She was the last person to gain a seat for the SDP.
Rosie was born in Nottingham and educated at Billbrough Grammar School and Birmingham University. She briefly worked as a teacher before freelancing in market research. Having previously voted Labour she joined the SDP at its inception. David Owen made much of the fact that she'd never been in a political party previously. She stood for the ILEA in 1986.
She was a late selection for the seat after the previous candidate withdrew, feeling that all resources were being earmarked for defending John Cartwright's seat.
Noting Rosie's telegenic appeal, the SDP used her in its first election broadcast including a scene which featured her children's rabbits. This was widely ridiculed and Paddy Ashdown described it as the worst PPB ever. Despite this, Rosie retained her seat.
Rosie stuck with David Owen over merger and antagonised many Liberals during the debates. When the SDP was wound up in 1990, Rosie wished to continue as an MP ands Owen did his best to secure her a free run against Labour at the next election. The Liberal Democrats agreed not to run against her but he couldn't persuade the Tories to do the same. She was narrowly defeated in 1992.
After her defeat, Rosie became a charity director, first for Birthright ( which she renamed Wellbeing) then the Cystic Fibrosis Trust of which she was chief executive from 1996 to 2010 when she retired. In 2011 she became Patron of Child Health International. She received an OBE the same year.
She is now 72.
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