Jenny Willott MP

I was born and raised in Wimbledon, in South West London. I went to Wimbledon and Uppingham school before attending Durham University, where I studied Classics. After completing my degree, I studied for an MSc in Development Studies at the London School of Economics. During this time I developed a strong interest in issues like overseas development, human rights and social justice.

I moved to Cardiff in 2000, and I now live in Adamsdown.

Post-University Career
Since leaving university, I have worked both in politics and for charities. In the Liberal Democrats, I worked both in the Welsh Assembly and Parliament, where I became the chief researcher to Lembit Opik MP.

I have worked for Barnardo's, Unicef UK, and for a charity in Northern India. Before I got elected to Parliament, I was head of Victim Support South Wales.

My work within these various charities really spurred me on to want to change things. That is why I began to get even more involved in politics, until I got elected to Parliament. When I was 23, I was elected as a councillor in Merton. I'm now committed to working hard to move Cardiff Central and Wales as a whole forward.

In Parliament
I was first elected as the Member of Parliament for Cardiff Central at the 2005 General Election. Since then I have been working hard in Parliament for Cardiff residents. I have helped a number of local individuals and groups, such as the victims of the ASW pensions case.

After his election as Lib Dem leader, Ming Campbell asked me to be the Liberal Democrat spokesperson on Youth Affairs. I am also Deputy Chief Whip and on the party committee looking at benefits and pensions.