Constituency : Bristol West 2005-2015
Stephen took Bristol West from the Tories at the second attempt.
Stephen was born in Glamorgan. He attended Mountain Ash Comprehensive School and Bristol University. He became a tax advisor working in accountancy firms. He joined the SDP and became a councillor for both Avon and Bristol City. He was leader of the Avon Liberal Democrat group from 1995 to 1997. He stood for Bristol South in 1997 coming third. In 2001 he moved the Liberal Democrats back into second place at Bristol West. He became the first openly gay Liberal Democrat MP.
Stephen became spokesman on public health and was a strong supporter of a smoking ban. He supported Chris Huhne's leadership bid in 2006. Menzies Campbell moved him to higher and further education and then schools. He supported Nick Clegg for leader and became spokesman for innovation, universities and skills.
In 2010 Stephen greatly increased his majority.
In 2013, Stephen joined the government as parliamentary under-secretary for Communities and Local Government. He promoted a national set of housing standards and recognised the Cornish as a national minority. He supported turning pubs into community assets.
In 2015, Stephen fell into third place as Labour took the seat. In 2017 he slipped to fourth. That same year he came a creditable third in the West of England mayoral elections. In 2019 he was third on the list for the South West in the European elections.
He is now 52.
No comments:
Post a Comment