About Paul

Paul Keetch was first elected to Parliament as the MP for Hereford on 1 May 1997. Re-elected in 2001 and again in 2005, Paul has entered the record books as a Liberal Democrat holding the Hereford seat for a third consecutive term.

Since 1997 Paul has been active in promoting Herefordshire and his constituency to the best of his ability and is very proud to represent the county where he was born and bred. In April 1998 he hosted the prestigious 'Herefordshire Day' on the Terrace of the Commons, showcasing what Herefordshire has to offer, highlighting the county within Westminster.

As a newly-elected MP Paul had to deal with difficult situations from the outset when it was reported [July 1997] that two of his constituents had been taken hostage in Chechnya. Camilla Carr and John James were eventually released [1998] and returned to the UK when they were able to thank Paul personally for all of his efforts with the Foreign Office and international authorities to ensure their safe return. Later in 1998 another constituent, Peter Kennedy, a telecoms engineer was kidnapped in Chechnya along with his work colleagues. Despite every endeavour to secure his safe return Mr Kennedy was murdered before he could be freed. Paul continued to support the family throughout and obtain answers to the many questions they posed in order to come to terms with their loss.

In the Hereford constituency

In his constituency Paul has been successful in retaining a hospital in Hereford that had been threatened with closure just before the 1997 election and then he went on to fight for more hospital beds [2002] campaigning alongside patients and staff; he has and continues to press for more NHS dentists; has sought financial and practical help for carers of young people with dementia and takes an active interest in health matters working closely with GPs, charities, groups and societies. Since 2007, when he was taken ill on board a transatlantic flight to the USA and was saved with the use of an AED [defibrillator], he has joined with Herefordshire Heartstart - a charity of which he is Patron, the British Heart Foundation and the Arrythmia Alliance to campaign for training to be more widely given and AEDs to be made available in public places, on board all aircraft and modes of public transport to help save more lives with these valuable pieces of equipment.

Paul has supported bids and obtained funding for new school buildings throughout his constituency. In 1998 he secured an Education Action Zone which contributed to improved facilities and equipment in many local schools. The best education and prime facilities for our youngsters has always been a priority for Paul who keeps in touch with head teachers on a regular basis. He is proud to have been involved in the retention of Holme Lacy College [2006] which is now part of the Hereford College of Technology and delights in the fact that LSC funding was made available to improve and expand the Folly Lane campus [2007] to benefit Further and Higher Education opportunities locally as well as providing a host of vocational and non-vocational courses. This exciting project will shape future educational needs and Paul hopes that an influx of students from outside the county will be persuaded to come to Herefordshire, as well as retaining our own young persons in education or training locally.

Paul liaises with local businesses with a view to inward investment and an improved local economy; he has and continues to fight to retain jobs where losses have been threatened and ensures that constituents are provided with proper advice and assistance to search for new jobs where necessary. The movement of the Cattle Market out of the city of Hereford had to be approved with new legislation passing through parliament which Paul instigated, the Hereford Markets Act 2003, enabling flexibility for the livestock market to be relocated if necessary and so free up the parcel of land occupied for regeneration.

He has sought ways in which transport issues can be resolved obtaining input from various bodies to find alternatives to relieve congestion in Hereford city and its suburbs, supporting bids for major road building, cycle paths, improved public transport and increased concessionary travel. Paul has backed measures for flood defences in Ross-on-Wye and Hereford and pressed for funding both through the Government, the Environment Agency and private business. Following years of hard work the Hereford and Ross flood defence schemes became a reality in 2008. Paul was honoured to be chosen to officially open the Hereford Scheme in recognition of his efforts throughout.

Paul has proved himself to be a popular MP who is well known both in Westminster and locally. He corresponds with hundreds of constituents who call on him for help and advice either at his frequently held advice surgeries, or by writing, phoning or emailing.

At Westminster

Upon entering Parliament in 1997 Paul gained experience as a member of the Liberal Democrat Health team, followed by a period between late 1997-1999 as the Liberal Democrat Employment and Training spokesman. As a member of the Commons Employment Select Committee, Paul frequently cross-examined Ministers on employment issues such as New Deal, Part-time working and Pathways into Work for Women.

In 1999 Paul moved to the position of Defence Spokesman being promoted to Shadow Defence Secretary shortly afterwards and served in this front bench position until 2005. Paul has always shown a keen interest in defence. He is a graduate of the Armed Forces Parliamentary Scheme [1999] where he was attached to the Royal Navy and participated in exercises seeing at first hand what personnel endure to serve our country.

As Shadow Defence Secretary, working closely with Leader, Charles Kennedy MP, and his colleagues Paul was influential in the stance the Liberal Democrats took on the controversial Iraq war standing firm in their objections prior to, during and since the war in 2003. He has worked closely with contacts in the Armed Forces, the Ministry of Defence and the defence industry. Paul's work in relation to shaping the US/UK Defence Treaty [2007-08] was praised by politicians and industry on both sides of the Atlantic. He is well known for supporting the rights of members of the Armed Forces in Parliament and for pressing for reform. It was due to pressure from Paul that the MoD began to modernise its policies and Paul was particularly pleased that he contributed to bring about changes in compensation rights for partners in military deaths.

In 2005 Paul became a member of the esteemed Foreign Affairs Select Committee. In this role he has contributed greatly to the Committee's investigations and reports, drawing on his knowledge of international affairs that he has developed having visited some 76 countries worldwide. On one occasion he was refused entry to China as a result of protocol and political differences. He was privileged to be one of very few British politicians allowed to visit Guantanamo Bay [2006] and receive briefings that would help formulate a report to the Commons by the Select Committee in relation to Terrorism that would prove highly important in historical fact.

In 2008 Leader, Nick Clegg MP, appointed Paul as a Whip; a role that he performs with relish and commitment.

He is a member of many Parliamentary All-Party Groups, including the All Party Cider Group of which he is founder, and now Honorary President. The Cider Group created a platform for the National Association of Cidermakers at Westminster which had previously been lacking and for the first time cider was made available for consumption in the bars at the Commons, inspired by Paul seeking its introduction in his capacity as then Chair of the Cider Group.

Paul founded the British-Lithuania Group, as he is keenly interested in and has considerable knowledge of politics in many of the states of Eastern Europe. His knowledge has expanded to countries worldwide where his interest in foreign affairs and international relations continues to flourish. In September 1997, shortly after the General Election, he was selected to visit the USA as guest of the State Department and has developed close working relations with the US authorities ever since. His association with the British Council has resulted in visits and speaking engagements in Hong Kong [2006] and Brazil [2008]

Not afraid to speak out and sometimes risk being controversial Paul has shown himself to be a shrewd politician. Constantly striving to improve his knowledge Paul has also participated in Industry and Parliament Trust attachments to learn more about the City, markets and business such as Virgin Atlantic.

Paul tabled an Early Day Motion in 2008 seeking to strip Robert Mugabe of the knighthood that had been bestowed upon him in 1994 and was joined by many MPs in agreement with Paul. The knighthood was withdrawn soon after sending a clear statement to the world that the UK will not tolerate the atrocities Mugabe had sanctioned in Zimbabwe.

In 2009 Paul was honoured to be made a Freeman of the City of London.

On a Personal Note

In 2006 Paul took the decision to stand down at the next General Election. A new parliamentary candidate, Sarah Carr, was selected to replace Paul. Sarah was Paul's agent in 1997. She knows that she has a very hard act to follow but also realises that she can continue Paul's hard work because he leaves the legacy of the seat he feels privileged and proud to have represented since 1997.

Sarah Carr with husband Shaun and Paul Keetch MP with wife Claire and son William

Paul lives in Hereford with his wife, Claire, and their son, William. On a personal note Paul likes watching cricket and football, especially with William who is quite an expert on sport. He particularly enjoys swimming and cycling and, when he has time to relax, likes nothing better than entertaining family and friends