Williams, Roger
Mr Roger Williams MP is a member of parliament for the constituency of Brecon and Radnorshire, he is a member of the Liberal Democrat Party and has been in office since 2001.
Biography
Rorer Williams was born in Crickhowell in 1948. He studied at Christ College, Brecon, and Selwyn College, Cambridge. After the degree in Natural Sciences he returned to Breconshire and he began a career in livestock farming on the family farm - a career that would run until his election in 2001. But Roger's experience in agriculture and rural affairs hasn't just been restricted to the family farm. During the mid 1980s he was elected Chairman of the Brecon and Radnorshire branch of the National Farmer's Union, he became Chair of the Brecon Beacons National Park in 1990 and sat on the Development Board for Rural Wales from 1991-1999. Though no longer responsible for the running of his farm, Roger still retains a keen interest in farming and rural issues.
Political Career
Roger's long commitment to public service began in 1981, when he became a County Councillor, firstly for the SDP and later the Liberal Democrats. After two decades serving on Powys County Council, Roger succeeded his Lib Dem colleague Richard Livsey to be elected MP for Brecon and Radnorshire in 2001. He would go on to defeat his Conservative challengers again in 2005 and 2010. During his time in Parliament, Roger has played a key role in many campaigns on issues affecting our area. He has fought against Post Office closures, opposed high fuel prices and campaigned to protect the retained fire service. Roger has also helped establish compensation rights for ex-opencast miners and surface workers and played an instrumental role in the battle for Gurkhas' rights. He has variously held positions including Shadow Secretary of State for Wales, Shadow Rural Affairs Spokesman and is currently Deputy Leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats.
Roles
Parliamentary career
- Opposition Whip (Commons) (2008-10)
- Shadow Secretary of State for Wales (2007-10)
- Shadow Minister (Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) (2006-10)
- Opposition Whip (Commons) (2004-07)
Select committees
- Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee (2013- )
- Science and Technology Committee (Commons) (2010-13)
- Draft Marine Bill (Joint Committee) (2008-08)
- Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee (2005-10)
- Draft Disability Discrimination Bill (Joint Committee) (2004-04)
- Welsh Affairs Committee (2001-05)
