Meet the MP: Julia Goldsworthy

What makes Liberal Democrat deputy treasury spokeswoman Julia Goldsworthy tick? Read on to find out...

Constituency: Falmouth and Camborne

Date of Birth: 10.09.1978

Marital Status: Single, no children

Educated: Primary - St Meriadoc in Camborne (Where my Mum taught) Secondary - Truro School (on a music scholarship) University at Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge (History, 2:1) Japanese Scholarship at Daichii University of Economics, Japan Birkbeck College, London (Postgrad Certificate in Economics)

WHAT DID YOU DO BEFORE YOU WERE AN MP?

I worked as a regeneration officer at Carrick District Council. I've also worked for Truro College Business Centre, and used to be the Liberal Democrat parliamentary advisor on education and economics.

WHAT WERE YOU LIKE AT SCHOOL?

I was never a shrinking violet in the classroom - always happy to get stuck into a good discussion whatever the subject.

WHAT ATTRACTED YOU TO POLITICS?

I first got involved in politics working for the next door MP, Matthew Taylor. I wanted to work on issues that were important to me and that affected my home county of Cornwall. After seeing the good work he did in the constituency, I became more and more interested and involved. After that I took on the economy and education portfolios as a senior adviser to the parliamentary party. When the opportunity to represent my home constituency came up, I jumped at the chance.

WHAT'S THE BEST/WORST THING ABOUT BEING AN MP?

BEST: The satisfaction that you get from feeling that you helped make a difference - whether it's helping out an individual with a problem or on a more general campaign, like saving a post office.

WORST: The time spent travelling between the constituency and Westminster - usually at least four and a half hours each way

WHO IS YOUR HERO (POLITICAL OR OTHERWISE)?

It has to be the great Liberal MP David Penhaligon - who did so much for Cornwall and the party.

WHAT'S YOUR FAVOURITE SONG/PIECE OF MUSIC?

KT Tunstall has some pretty amazing stuff on her album. I'm also a big fan of Air. My favourite classical piece of music is Bach's Goldberg Variations, played by Glen Gould.

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR FASHION SENSE?

It's all about accessories - especially shoes and bags!

WHAT'S YOUR IDEA OF A GOOD NIGHT OUT?

A nice meal out with some friends.

WHAT CAN'T YOU LIVE WITHOUT?

A mobile phone with my laptop a close second - I can be a bit of a technology geek!

TELL US SOMETHING WE DON'T KNOW ABOUT YOU

Gig Rowing is one of the things I like doing most in my spare time. Unlike normal rowing, it involves going out in the sea in a 30ft-long wooden boat, with fixed seats and six rowers. The tradition started when the gigs would race one another out to big sailing ships that needed pilots to get safely past the treacherous Cornish coastline and into the harbour. Now it's just for fun, and there are races all over Cornwall. It's great for keeping fit, but you do end up with blisters in all kinds of places!

CONTACT DETAILS:

[e-mail]

http://www.juliagoldsworthy.org/

75 Trelowarren Street, Camborne, Cornwall, TR14 8AL Tel: [phone]