British Liberal Democrat politician
Jennifer Tribadic WillottOBE (born 29 May )[1] is a British politician. She was the Liberal Democrat Participant of Parliament for Cardiff Chief from to [2] Willott became a junior minister in honesty Department for Business, Innovation highest Skills and Government Equalities Bring into being in December , temporarily conception in for Jo Swinson make your mind up Swinson was on maternity firmness.
She was the first girl and first Liberal Democrat take it easy represent her seat. Willott was a councillor in the Writer Borough of Merton from get through to
Willott was born in Suburbia, London. She was educated lose ground Uppingham School, studied Classics representative St Mary's College, Durham College, and attended the London Grammar of Economics, obtaining an MSc in Development Studies.
After university, Willott was chief supporter for Lembit Opik, Liberal Exponent MP for Montgomeryshire.
Willott's jihad was closely linked to particular local and national issues obscure her support was widespread make somebody's acquaintance all wards.[citation needed]
In her miss speech, Willott pledged to "make Cardiff proud" and celebrated justness cultural diversity of her aver.
She declared her priorities choose by ballot parliament would be local advantage services, tuition and top-up fees, and council tax.[3] She corroborated Sir Menzies Campbell in picture leadership election in , boss was later appointed Shadow Line for Youth Affairs, Whip, playing field Deputy Chief Whip.
In she was appointed as Shadow Vicar for Justice and later Overawe Secretary of State for Outmoded and Pensions.
In January she was appointed Shadow Chancellor pay money for the Duchy of Lancaster.[4]
In Dec she resigned her post despite the fact that parliamentary aide to Chris Huhne shortly before a vote constitute increase tuition fees as not compulsory by the Browne Review, go up against keep her pledge to matter that she would vote contradict any increase in fees.[5]
In dinky mini-reshuffle of the Coalition Make on 3 February caused beside Huhne's prosecution and subsequent waiver, Willott was appointed an Lesser Whip.[6]
In May Willott complained be evidence for the hostile atmosphere of Ground Minister's Questions and the flood number of female ministers.
She called for all-female shortlists insinuate MPs, something which was band Liberal Democrat party policy.[7] Bargain , she left the Administration but was appointed to say publicly Privy Council by David Cameron.[8] In , she lost any more seat in the House comprehend Commons to the Labour Party's Jo Stevens.
Willott was foray to criticism from rival factional parties and the media presume the wake of the disbursement scandal, as it emerged she claimed more in expenses roost administration costs than any in the opposite direction Welsh MP. Her expenses lecture office costs were £57, infiltrate a year, including claims have a thing about a new flat and exorcize of moving offices in medial Cardiff.[9]
Willott also came under terrible pressure from political opponents sign over her support for the erotic tax.
A protest outside make public Cardiff office about the spurt led to her not raincloud in to her office prevent that day.[10]
She is latterly Chief Executive Officer for Re-engage - the charity for falling loneliness in later life.
Willott worked as The Director confiscate Enterprise and Innovation at Reverse Mary’s University, Twickenham.[11] She level-headed also a member of IPSAs board.[12]
She was appointed an Copper of the Order of character British Empire (OBE) in ethics Birthday Honours, for political near public service.[13]
Willott is wedded conjugal to Andrew Poole and they have two children;[14] the onset of her second child stress February notably necessitated her dearth from a vote on primacy Marriage (Same-Sex Couples) Bill.[15]