About Andrew

Andrew Simpson, 44, has lived in Northampton for the last 26 years having first moved to the town in 1983 to attend Nene College (now the University of Northampton). He was born in Welwyn Garden City. Before moving to Northampton he lived at the family home near Luton, Bedfordshire.

Andrew is a former Student Union President of Nene College and currently serves as a Borough Councillor for Kingsley Ward. He was Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrat Opposition Group on the Council from 1999 to 2004.

Education

Manshead Upper School, Dunstable Beds

Nene College, Northampton (1983 - 88) - Degree Combined Studies (History main subject, others, Economics, English and American studies) Grade 2ii.

Chartered Institute of Marketing Diploma in Marketing - completed 1997.

Employment

• Nationwide Building Society (Northants) 1988 - 1995

• Dial Direct Insurance/Bennetts Insurance (Coventry) 1995 - 2001

• Home Retail Group Financial Services (Milton Keynes) 2001 to date.

Profession

Marketing Manager - Financial Services.

Politics

At College

Andrew first got involved in politics whilst at college when he became involved in the student union. He joined the Union of Liberal Students in 1984. He was involved in leading a number of campaigns at the college including providing better access for students with disabilities and childcare provision for students with children. He was elected as Student Union Treasurer in 1986/87 and then President in 1987/88. As President he successfully increased student representation and participation in the college. Particularly from the St Georges Avenue Campus. As a local student campaigner he led a succesful campaign to improve lighting on The Racecourse park.

Since College

Andrew continued as a member of the Liberal Party and subsequently the Liberal Democrats when the party merged with the SDP in 1988. A local activist Andrew has also served as Chair of Northampton Liberal Democrats and represented the party as a candidate in past Council elections.

In 1995 Andrew was first elected as a Borough Councillor representing Kingsley ward. He was elected as Deputy Leader of the Lib Dem Council Group in 1999 and served as such until May 2004. He has since been re-elected for Kingsley ward three times in 1999, 2003 and 2007.

More information about Andrew as a local councillor for Kingsley Ward.

He stood for the Liberal Democrats as the Parliamentary candidate in Northampton South Constituency in the 2001 General Election one of the few Labour/Conservative marginal seats in the country which saw the Liberal Democrat vote increase and both the other parties vote fall. In the 2005 General Election Andrew stood in the Northampton North constituency and obtained one of the best results for the party in the East Midlands, increasing the vote by 3,000 (40% up on last time) with a 6.7% increase. Andrew was re-selected by Northampton Liberal Democrats as their prospective parliamentary candidate for Northampton North constituency in May 2006.

Issues

In particular getting more people involved in local decision making and improving our democracy. Other main areas of concern are tackling prejudice and improving transportation.

Membership of Organisations

• Chartered Institute of Marketing

• Friends of Northampton Racecourse

• Friends of Delapre Abbey

• Association of Liberal Democrat Councillors

• Ethnic Minority Liberal Democrats

Other Interests

My partner, our home and cats.Trying to understand my computer, watching classic comedy programmes, science fiction, and keeping fit at the gym (not often enough!)