The Team
Nick Harvey MP
Nick Harvey’s first political affiliation was to the Liberal Party which he joined in 1974. As President-elect of Middlesex University Students’ Union, he took the outgoing Trotskyist executive to the High Court in May 1981 to block an illegal donation of union funds. Before entering Parliament Nick worked in communications and marketing for the City consultants, Dewe Rogerson.
He was appointed Liberal agent for Finchley in July 1983 and contested a Barnet council seat for the Liberals in May 1986. In December 1986 he was selected to contest the June 1987 General Election in Enfield Southgate, where he came second to Michael Portillo. In 1990 he was chosen as the Liberal Democrats’ candidate for North Devon, which he captured at the 1992 General Election with a majority of 794 votes.
After being elected Nick served as the party’s Transport Spokesman from 1992 to 1994, opposing rail privatization and pressing for funds to be switched from road to public transport. From 1994-97 he was the party’s Trade and Industry spokesman, supporting competition in the gas industry and presenting new policy on small businesses, the regulation of utilities, executive pay and investment in infrastructure. He was spokesman on the English Regions from 1997-99. Under Charles Kennedy’s leadership, Nick returned as front-bench spokesman on Health following a notably successful stint at Party HQ as Chairman of the Campaigns and Communications Committee. Following his re-election 2001, Nick became spokesman on Culture, Media and Sport. He stood down from this post in 2003 but following Sir Menzies Campbell’s election as party leader in March 2006 Nick was appointed Defence Spokesman. Nick has been a member of both the Home Affairs Select Committee and the Standards and Privileges committee since the 2005 General Election.
He is married to Kate and they have a son and a daughter.
Willie Rennie MP
A Fifer born and bred, Willie Rennie lives in Kelty with his wife, Janet, and two young sons. He grew up in Strathmiglo, where his family ran the village shop and still live today. His grandfather was the local Minister and his mother was secretary of the local community association.
Willie went to college in Paisley and works for a small Scottish communications firm, helping advise the Royal Society of Chemistry and Asthma UK. A member of Dunfermline’s Carnegie Harriers, he was runner-up in the Scottish Coal-Carrying Championships held in Kelty.
Willie Rennie was press adviser to Fife Council’s Liberal Democrat Opposition Group and a member of the Dunfermline Focus editiorial team, working with Dunfermline’s Lib Dem councillors on local issues. He is currently a member of the Defence Select Committee in the House of Commons.
Bob Russell MP
Mike Hancock MP
In the Lords
Lord Lee of Trafford DL FCA
John Lee was born in 1942 and educated at William Hulme’s Grammar School in Manchester. He entered the House of Lords in 2006 and sits on the Liberal Democrat benches. He is a company director, investor and financial journalist. He is the Chairman of Wellington Market Plc and a non-executive Director of Emerson Developments (Holdings). He contested Manchester Moss Side for the Conservatives in October 1974 and became the Conservative MP for Nelson and Colne from 1979-83 and for Pendle from 1983-92. He was Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Minister of State for Industry, 1981-83; and to the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, 1983. He was a Parliamentary under Secretary of State at the Ministry of Defence, 1983-86; Department of Employment 1986-89; and Minister for Tourism 1987-89. He was Chairman of Christie Hospital NHS Trust, 1992-98; and the Museum of Science and Industry in Manchester, 1990-2001. John Lee has been a Member of the English Tourist Board, 1992-99; Vice-Chairman of the NW Conciliation Committee Race Relations Board, 1976-77; and Chairman of the Council of the National Youth Bureau, 1980-83. He was also a member of the Select Defence Committee between 1990-92.He has been Chairman of the Association of Leading Visitor Attractions since 1990. He was appointed the Deputy Lieutenant of Greater Manchester in 1995, and the High Sheriff of Greater Manchester in 1998. John Lee is married with two daughters. His recreations include golf and fly-fishing.
Lord Addington
