Ruth Coleman

Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Spokesman for Leeds West

Born into a Liberal family, an activist since her teens, Ruth joined the Party at University and was National Chair of Young Liberals and of Liberal Students in her 20s. She has been a candidate for Parliament four times with the track record of raising the Party's vote and moving the Party up into 2nd place.

Ruth was a member of North Wiltshire District Council from 1991-2007. During four terms in control she held many senior positions, including seven years as Council Leader. She and her colleagues re-structured the Council to respond to people's needs, invested heavily in economic regeneration and had a trouble-free Housing Transfer due to involving tenants' committees at an early stage. During this time she was Deputy Leader of the LGA Liberal Democrat Group for three years and Chair of the Local Government International Bureau for 2 years. She was a Senior Member of the IDeA's Peer Clearing House and, later, Lead Member for Rural Excellence.

Ruth taught Mathematics and Sciences while raising her family. She worked at the House of Commons as a researcher for Paddy Ashdown and was active in his campaign to become Party Leader. She is currently employed as the Liberal Democrat Group Support Manager at Kirklees Council in West Yorkshire.

Ruth has served on a variety of public bodies: British Youth Council for two years: Womens National Commission for six years: three years as Chair of East Wiltshire Healthcare Trust: a School Governor for 16 years. She was a member of the EU Advisory body, the Committee of the Regions, for nearly 10 years, and led for the ALDE Group on External Relations policy. She was a Commonwealth Election Observer in the Cameroon elections in 2002 and an EU Observer in the Montenegro referendum in 2006.

Currently, Ruth is a member of the Liberal Democrats Federal Policy Committee, which is working on the Manifesto for the 2010 General Election. She also represents the Party on the ELDR Congress.

Ruth lives in Leeds with her husband, Dr Mick Taylor.

Parliamentary Experience

Liverpool Toxteth 1979 3rd place. In Macclesfield 1983, Woodspring 1987 and Leeds Central 2005, moved party up to 2nd place.

Euro-candidate, South West region 2004

Interests

Gardening, Jazz, Travel, Science Fiction