Liberal Democrats : People

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WHO'S WHO

Sarah Teather MP

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Lib Dem majority: 2,712 (9%)

Constituency: Brent East

Region: London

PA Number: 89

Address:
1 High Road
Willesden Green
LONDON
NW10 2TE

Tel: (020) 8459 0455

Fax: (020) 8830 3280

Email: teathers@parliament.uk

Web: http://www.sarahteather.libdems.org.uk

Date of Birth: 01.06.1974

Occupation: MP

Council Experience: Councillor, LB Islington 2002-3

Parliamentary Experience: 2007- Shadow Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform 2007- Shadow Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills, 2006-07 Shadow Education Secretary, 2005-06 Shadow Secretary for DCLG; London 2004-05; Health 2003-4

Marital status/children: Single; no children

RESULTS 2005 Election

Seat:

Brent East

Liberal Democrats

14,764 (48%)

Turnout:

31,068 (55%)

Conservative

3,193 (10%)

Swing

30.7% swing Lab to Lib Dem

Labour

12,052 (39%)

BIOGRAPHY

Sarah Teather entered Parliament at her second attempt in 2003, gaining this seat from the Labour party on a swing of 29%.

Sarah Teather read Natural Sciences at St John’s College, Cambridge. She worked in science policy both in the public and private sectors, first at the Royal Society advising the UK government on controversial aspects of science, and later at a science policy consultancy, evaluating public policies on science and innovation for governments across Europe. Before becoming an MP, Sarah worked for Macmillan Cancer Relief, where she advised on health and social policy; she also served for a year as an Islington borough councillor [2002-03]. In her spare time (not much of it!), Sarah enjoys catching up with friends and music – she also sings soprano in the Parliament Choir.

As an MP her work on local issues includes: campaigning against the Council Tax, ID cars and tuition fees; and for local Post Offices and Jamil el-Banna’s return to the UK; improving access to GPs; and the housing crisis. Brent East is said to be the most ethnically diverse constituency in the country and to communicate better with her constituents Sarah is taking Gujarati and Urdu lessons.

In the 2001 Parliament she was a member of the Health team [2003-04] and spokesperson on London issues [2004-05]; she continues to take a particular interest in mental health issues in London. She became the Shadow Secretary for Community & Local Government in 2005 and Shadow Education Secretary in 2006. Following the splitting of the Education department in July 2007 Sarah became Shadow Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills. After becoming the new leader of the Liberal Democrats, Nick Clegg appointed Sarah as Shadow Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform.