Brian Mathew (politician)

Brian Mathew
MP
Official portrait, 2024
Member of Parliament
for Melksham and Devizes
Incumbent
Assumed office
4 July 2024
Preceded byConstituency established
Majority2,401 (4.7%)
Personal details
Political partyLiberal Democrats
Alma mater

Brian George Felton Mathew[1] is a British Liberal Democrat politician who has been the Member of Parliament for Melksham and Devizes since 2024.[2] He defeated former Conservative minister Michelle Donelan, who had chosen to contest this seat in view of boundary changes at her Chippenham seat.[3]

Early life and education

Mathew graduated from the University of East Anglia in 1983 with a bachelor's degree in development studies. This was followed by a Postgraduate Diploma in agricultural engineering from Silsoe College. He later completed a Master of Arts (MA) in rural social development at the University of Reading in 1988 and a PhD in water and sanitation at Cranfield University in 2005.[4][5]

Career

Mathew had stood unsuccessfully for the North Wiltshire seat in 2015, 2017 and 2019.[6] He previously stood in North Somerset in 2010 but lost to Liam Fox.[7]

Mathew previously worked for aid organisations, including WaterAid in Tanzania.[8] He was elected for the Box & Colerne ward of Wiltshire Council in 2017 and re-elected in 2021.[9]

References

  1. ^ House of Commons, Votes and Proceedings, Tuesday 9 July 2024.
  2. ^ "Melksham & Devizes | General Election 2024". Sky News. Retrieved 5 July 2024.
  3. ^ Baker, John (15 May 2023). "Chippenham MP to fight Melksham & Devizes seat at general election". Wiltshire Times. Retrieved 5 March 2024.
  4. ^ "Dr Brian Mathew". Africa Ahead. Retrieved 28 July 2024.
  5. ^ "Brian Mathew MP". PolicyMogul. Retrieved 28 July 2024.
  6. ^ "Wiltshire North parliamentary constituency – Election 2019". BBC News. Retrieved 14 July 2024.
  7. ^ "BBC News | Election 2010 | Constituency | Somerset North". news.bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 4 October 2024.
  8. ^ Whitworth, Damian (9 June 2024). "How flooding could decide election in true-blue Melksham & Devizes". The Times. Retrieved 5 July 2024.
  9. ^ "Cllr Dr Brian Mathew MP". Wiltshire Council. Retrieved 14 July 2024.
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