Constituency : Eastbourne 2010-15, 2017- 19
Stephen took Eastbourne , a longtime target since the 1990 by-election, from the Tories at the second attempt. The Tory incumbent Nigel Waterson had been damaged by an assault charge and the expenses scandal. Subsequent to the election, Waterson sued over the Liberal Democrats' election leaflets but was ultimately unsuccessful.
Stephen was born in Kenya. He was educated at St Georges College, Weybridge. He lost most of his hearing due to measles at the age of 6. In 1977 he started work as a commodity broker. He was later business development director at the Grass Roots Group. Frm 2005. he was a consultant to the Federation of Small Businesses.In 2001, he stood for Beaconsfield, coming third. He beat off competition from future colleagues Duncan Hames and Tessa Munt to get the nomination for Eastbourne in 2005 when he came a close second.
Stephen became a spokesperson ion Northern Ireland and was active in many all party parliamentary groups as well as sitting on the Work and Pensions Committee. He campaigned on mobility scooters and for better RE teaching in schools. Stephen was PPS to Ed Davey in 2014 but resigned from the government over a local road matter.
Stephen was only narrowly defeated in 2015. He said he wouldn't stand again and took a job with an events and exhibitions company. He changed his mind in 2016 after being petitioned by supporters and won the seat back in 2017. He became the party's work and pensions spokesman.
Stephen is a strong supporter of Eastbourne District Hospital which has featured in many of his campaigns.
Stephen campaigned to Remain in 2016 but promised to respect the Referendum result in a Leave constituency. As a result of pressure from the party, he resigned the party whip in 2018 .When the 2019 election was called he retook the whip and pedged to fight the seat as a Remainer. He was defeated once more. In 2021 he announced that he would not be standing again.
He is now 67.
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