Liz Lynne

Elizabeth Lynne (born 22 January 1948)[1] is a British politician, and was a Member of the European Parliament (MEP) for the West Midlands for the Liberal Democrats from the 1999 European election until she retired in 2012. Previously she had been elected as Member of Parliament (MP) for Rochdale at the 1992 general election but was defeated at the 1997 general election.

Liz Lynne
Member of the European Parliament for West Midlands
In office 10 June 1999 – 3 February 2012
Preceded by	Position established
Succeeded by	Phil Bennion
Member of Parliament for Rochdale
In office 9 April 1992 – 8 April 1997
Preceded by	Sir Cyril Smith
Succeeded by	Lorna Fitzsimons
Personal details
Born	Elizabeth Lynne 22 January 1948 Woking
Nationality	British
Political party	Liberal Democrat

Biography

Lynne was born in Woking and educated at Dorking County Grammar School. Between 1966 and 1989 she was an actress, appearing in The Mousetrap. She also worked as a speech consultant between 1988 and 1992. In 1987 general election she contested Harwich where she was defeated. Lynne is the founder and former chair of the Indonesian Co-ordination for the British Section of Amnesty International. Whilst an MP she was the Liberal Democrats' spokesperson on Health and Community Care, and then spokesperson on Social Security and Disability. She is also one the patrons for the domestic violence charity ManKind Initiative.[2]

She was rated as the 35th best out of all 785 MEPs and 9th best of the 78 UK MEPs on promoting transparency and reform according to the Open Europe think tank.[3] She was a founding member—and Vice President—of the European Parliament Intergroup MEPs Against Cancer.[4]

Political career

Lynne has been an MP and an MEP. She sat as an MEP for the West Midlands from 1999 to 2012. On 5 November 2011 she announced that she would be stepping down from the position,[5] and she did so on 3 February 2012.[6] Her seat was filled by Phil Bennion, who was second on the Liberal Democrat party list.[5]

References

1. Waller, Robert (7 March 1996). Almanac of British Politics. Taylor & Francis. ISBN 9780415118057 – via Google Books.
2. "Patrons: National Patrons: Erin Pizzey, Lord Cotter, Liz Lynne MEP, Ian McNicholl". Mankind.org.uk. Archived from the original on 17 August 2010. Retrieved 12 July 2010.
3. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 13 July 2009. Retrieved 28 May 2009.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
4. "MEPs Against Cancer". Retrieved 21 March 2010.
5. "Lib Dem MEP Liz Lynne to stand down". BBC News. BBC. 6 November 2011. Retrieved 7 November 2011.
6. "Outgoing members". European Parliament. Retrieved 5 February 2012.

External links

• Liz Lynne MEP official site
• Elizabeth Lynne profile at the European Parliament
• Liz Lynne archived profile at the site of the Liberal Democrats
• Hansard 1803–2005: contributions in Parliament by Liz Lynne