Grantham and Stamford Liberal Democrats

Rebecca Taylor announced as new MEP for Yorkshire and the Humber

Rebecca Taylor announced as new MEP for Yorkshire and the Humber

The Liberal Democrats can confirm the new MEP for Yorkshire and the Humber will be Rebecca Taylor. Rebecca takes up the post following the resignation of Diana Wallis.

Rebecca is from Yorkshire, born and brought up in Todmorden, West Yorkshire. She went to university in Sheffield and Leeds, and Rebecca's immediate family all live in Yorkshire.

Rebecca has worked in the health sector for more than 10 years including working with patients to help improve NHS services, doing health policy research and helping health sector organisations with their communications. She is currently in the process of completing a master's degree in public health.

Commenting, Rebecca Taylor said:

"It is a great privilege and honour to serve the people of Yorkshire and the Humber in Europe as a Liberal Democrat MEP. It is why I stood for selection in 2007 and my commitment to the region has not changed.

"It has been quite a shock to find myself in this position. Above all I am thrilled to have been given this opportunity and determined to do everything in my power to promote jobs, growth and prosperity in the region, and help to improve health services.

"I know lots families in Yorkshire and the Humber are really feeling the pinch at the moment and I look forward to doing my bit to help as an MEP committed to fighting for the region."

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

1. Interviews
Rebecca is available for some media interviews today, Monday. To arrange an interview, please contact the Liberal Democrat press office as soon as possible - 02073404949.

2. Email to members
In an email to Liberal Democrat members in Yorkshire and the Humber, the regional party chair Jeanette Sunderland said:

I am writing to inform you that today Rebecca Taylor has today been confirmed as the new Liberal Democrat MEP for Yorkshire and Humber.

Rebecca steps up to the role following the resignation of Diana Wallis. Diana has decided to move onto other challenges after dedicating more than 12 years to the region and furthering Liberal Democrat values in Europe. According to the election rules, a post left vacant by a resignation is filled by a candidate on the party list. The Liberal Democrat list is democratically elected by the region. In this case, Stewart Arnold has felt unable to take the role, and therefore it became open to the third candidate, Rebecca Taylor.

Rebecca has strong roots in Yorkshire and will make an excellent Yorkshire and the Humber representative in the European Parliament, joining Edward McMillan-Scott. I am sure that you will join me in welcoming Rebecca to the team. We must now work together with a clear focus on building a strong Liberal Democrat team across region, and

I am confident that Rebecca will do everything in her power to do that and help deliver an excellent campaign in May.

3. Biography
Yorkshire roots.
Rebecca Taylor was born and raised in Todmorden, West Yorkshire and went to university in Sheffield and Leeds. Rebecca's immediate family all live in Yorkshire.

Lib Dem background.
Rebecca is a third generation Liberal Democrat activist whose grandparents joined the party in the 1950s. Rebecca's parents are active Liberal Democrats in Yorkshire for more than 30 years. Rebecca has been a party member since 2002 and has been campaigning in local and general elections on behalf of Liberal Democrats across the Yorkshire and Humber region since 2005.

Professional experience.
Rebecca has worked in the health sector for more than 10 years including working with patients to help improve NHS services, doing health policy research and helping health sector organisations with their communications.

Rebecca's areas of interest in health are malnutrition, childhood obesity, older people's health, vaccination, and health inequalities. Rebecca is currently finishing a master's degree in public health at King's College London.

Plans for the region.
Rebecca thinks that investment and employment are key issues for the region, especially helping young people begin their working life.

Rebecca is very passionate about public health and hope to use her knowledge of health and the NHS to improve public health and tackle the health inequalities that exist in Yorkshire and the Humber.

EU experience
Rebecca has worked in Brussels for a number of years and therefore understands how the EU works. Rebecca hopes to put this knowledge to good use to represent the people of Yorkshire and Humber in Europe.