Liz Leffman

Liz Leffman is the Prospective Liberal Democrat MP for the new Meon Valley constituency. She lives in Knowle Village, near Wickham.

Liz originally joined the SDP in 1981, but it was not until 2005 that she ran for parliament for the first time, standing against David Cameron in Witney.

"I was so incensed by the decision to go to war in Iraq, and the lack of real debate, that I decided it was time to put my experience and skills to good use, and to take a stand on what I believe in" says Liz

Liz has had a long and successful business career. Following a degree in philosophy and history of art, Liz spent a few years in advertising. She then became Marketing Manager for the National Dairy Council, before moving to Courtaulds Textiles, where she ran two factories, and later became Marketing and Business Development Director.

Today, Liz and her husband Mike Flanagan run an international clothing and textile consultancy, Clothesource. Liz is an acknowledged expert in the field of global sourcing of clothing and textiles, and speaks regularly at conferences both at home and overseas. She also teaches global sourcing on the BA and MA courses in fashion merchandising at the University of Westminster.

Liz is Chair of The Kairos Foundation UK, the UK branch of an international charity and the world's largest provider of self-esteem training, working in prisons in the US and the UK, and in black townships in South Africa. She was until recently Mentor Co-ordinator for the Oxfordshire Prince's Trust, and a member of the area business board. In 2004 she completed an MA in coaching and mentoring.

Liz is a keen walker, especially when accompanied by her dog, Jed. She also loves to cook for family and friends, and enjoys choral singing.

Contact Liz at liz@lizleffman.org.uk.