Paul Holmes

Liberal Democrat MP Chesterfield

Date of birth

16 January 1957

Political profile

Paul Holmes surprised many observers in 2001 when he won Tony Benn's old seat of Chesterfield for the Liberal Democrats - the only gain the party made from Labour in the election.

He is a long serving local councillor, with a track record as a campaigner, both on local issues and international matters such as the arms trade, long before his election to the Commons.

He is also a history teacher who had been head of the sixth form at a local comprehensive.

He sits on the Education and Skills select committee, and has on occasion stood in for Phil Willis on education debates.

He is a committed opponent of selection, and of the use of private finance in state schools.

In November 2001 he was appointed the party's spokesman on disability issues and is also a spokesman on work and pensions.

Contact

Constituency office 01246 234879