About Paul

Paul Keetch was first elected to Parliament as the MP for Hereford on 1 May 1997. Re-elected in 2001 and again in 2005, Paul has entered the record books as a Liberal Democrat holding the Hereford seat for a third consecutive term.

Since 1997 Paul has been active in promoting Herefordshire and his constituency to the very best of his ability and is very proud to represent the county where he was born and bred.

At Westminster

He is a member of many Parliamentary All-Party Groups, including the All Party Cider Group of which he is founder, creating a platform for the National Association of Cidermakers at Westminster which had previously been lacking. He also founded the British-Lithuania Group, as he is keenly interested in and has considerable knowledge of politics in many of the states of Eastern Europe.

Upon entering Parliament Paul gained experience as a member of the Liberal Democrat Health team, followed by a period as the Liberal Democrat Employment and Training spokesman. As a member of the Commons Employment Select Committee, Paul frequently cross-examined Ministers on employment issues such as New Deal, Part-time working and Pathways into Work for Women.

Paul has always had a keen interest in defence and in 1999 moved to the position of Defence spokesman being promoted to Shadow Defence Secretary shortly afterwards. As a member of the Liberal Democrat Foreign Affairs and Defence team, headed up at the time by now leader the Rt Hon Sir Menzies Campbell MP, Paul was influential in defence debates and the stance the Liberal Democrats took on the controversial Iraq war. He has worked closely with contacts in the Armed Forces, the Ministry of Defence and the defence industry. He is well known for supporting the rights of members of the Armed Forces in Parliament and for pressing for reform.

In July 2005 Paul was officially appointed to the prestigious Foreign Affairs Select Committee where he joins fellow Members of Parliament in scrutiny of matters relating to foreign affairs in Parliament.

In the Hereford constituency

Locally Paul has lobbied for more hospital beds; pressed for more NHS dentists; sought financial and practical help for carers of young people with dementia; obtained funding for new school buildings all over the constituency; liaised with local businesses with a view to inward investment and an improved local economy; fought to retain jobs where losses had been threatened; sought ways in which transport issues can be resolved; supported measures for flood defences in Ross-on-Wye and Hereford and pressed for funding both through the government and private business.

In addition Paul corresponds with hundreds of constituents who call on him for help and advice either at his frequently held advice surgeries, or by writing, phoning or emailing.

On a Personal Note

Paul lives in Hereford with his wife, Claire, and their son, William, who followed in his father's footsteps by attending the same primary school as his father. On a personal note Paul likes watching cricket and football, especially with William who is quite an expert in the sport. He particularly enjoys swimming and cycling and, when he has time to relax, likes nothing better than entertaining family and friends. Paul took the decision not to stand for re-election next time round. He will be supporting Sarah Carr who has been chosen by the Liberal Democrats as his successor. Sarah was Paul's campaign manager when he was first elected in 1997.

Sarah Carr with husband Shaun and Paul Keetch MP with wife Claire and son William