John Burnett

Liberal Democrat MP Devon West and Torridge

Date of birth

19 September 1945

Political profile

Even before he became an MP in 1997, succeeding the Tory defector Emma Nicholson, John Burnett had proved himself adept at differing careers.

He served for six years as an officer in the Royal Marine Commandos, and then began a dual career as a solicitor and cattle breeder.

This duality carried over into the Commons where he was a radical as the Liberal Democrats' legal affairs spokesman, but a conservative, especially by his party's standards, on rural issues.

He voted against bans on both handguns and hunting.

He has announced that he will stand down from parliament at the next general election.

Contact

Constituency office: 01837 55881