Claire Ward

Claire Margaret Ward (born 9 May 1972) is a politician in the United Kingdom. She is Labour Party member of Parliament for Watford.

Related Topics:
9 May - 1972 - United Kingdom - Labour Party - Member of Parliament - Watford

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Although born in North Shields, Ward was brought up in Elstree and studied at the University of Hertfordshire. She was an active member of Young Labour and took the Young Labour place on the Labour Party National Executive Committee in 1995. She was also elected to Elstree and Borehamwood Parish Council where she became Mayor. She was elected to Parliament in 1997, succeeding former Deputy Chief Whip Tristan Garel-Jones who retired, and defeating Robert Gordon of the Conservative Party. Her election was notable in that she was only 24, although she was not quite the youngest MP - being beaten by a few weeks by Christopher Leslie who unexpectedly won Shipley. In 2001 she retained her seat by 5,792 votes.

Related Topics:
North Shields - Elstree - University of Hertfordshire - 1995 - Borehamwood - 1997 - Chief Whip - Tristan Garel-Jones - Robert Gordon - Conservative Party - Christopher Leslie - Shipley - 2001

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The increasing dominance of local politics in Watford Borough council by the Liberal Democrats, including the election of a Liberal Democrat Mayor, led to speculation that Ward would find re-election extremely difficult. However, she demonstrated her personal popularity by retaining the seat in the 2005 general election with a majority of over 1,000 over the Liberal Democrat candidate from Cambridge. The Conservative candidate was narrowly forced into third place, making Watford an almost unique three way marginal seat.

Related Topics:
Watford Borough council - 2005 general election - Cambridge

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