Constituency : Romsey 2000-2010
The 1997-2001 parliament saw tacit co-operation between the Liberal Democrats and Labour. A form of proportional representation for the European parliament and the devolved assemblies was secured but Tony Blair was unable to deliver the recommendations of the Jenkins Commission on electoral reform for the Commons. A disappointed Paddy Ashdown resigned in 1999 and Charles Kennedy came through a field of five candidates to win the leadership. With so many new young MPs there were not that many by-elections and fewer still in promising territory for the Lib Dems.
Sandra strengthened Charles Kennedy's leadership when she took Romsey from the Tories.
Sandra was born in Rossett in Wales. She was educated at schools in Hampshire and Europe and the University of Bath. She qualified as a pharmacist and worked as a senior pharmacy manager for Safeway and Tesco before her election. She became a councillor in 1984 and was mayor of Romsey in 1997.
Sandra became spokesman on women's issues and older people. She chaired the party's Gender Balance Task Force. She raised general concerns about Lord Rennard's conduct with Nick Clegg. She mainly spoke on health matters. She was criticised for opposing an EU draft on tobacco because of job concerns in her constituency.
Sandra held her seat in 2001 but just scraped home in 2005.
Sandra was criticised during the expenses scandal for accepting a "windfall" payment from her landlord in return for an increase in her rent. The boundaries were changed in 2010 and she was defeated by the Tories.
Sandra now works as a community pharmacist and is chair of the English Pharmacy Board.
Sandra unsuccessfully stood for Hampshire County Council in 2013. She called for Nick Clegg's resignation in 2014.
She is now 62.
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