Dr Liam Fox was elected MP for Woodspring in 1992 and is seen as one of the rising stars in William Hague's shadow cabinet. He has done several jobs in opposition and is currently the shadow health secretary. Labour has attacked his plans for a "patients' guarantee" as privatisation in disguise, while Dr Fox maintains that the result will be shorter waiting lists for life-threatening surgery.
He is a vice-chairman of Conservatives against a Federal Europe, a group which resists economic integration with the EU. Dr Fox was once spotted with a "Stuff the EU" sticker on his car.
On learning of a burglary at his home, Dr Fox said he wanted the offenders thrashed - although he and the Conservatives stated that this was not party policy.
Dr Fox was born in Scotland and was president of the Conservative students at Glasgow University. He became a GP and served as an army medical officer. Dr Fox enjoys nightclubbing and has done abseils and wing-walks on aeroplanes for charity. He lists among his friends Australian popstar Natalie Imbruglia.
