Focus on Kingsley

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Andrew Simpson

Andrew Simpson, 46, has lived in Northampton for the last 28 years having first moved to the town in 1983 to attend Nene College (now the University of Northampton). He was born in Welwyn Garden City. Before moving to Northampton he lived at the family home near Luton, Bedfordshire.

Andrew is a former Student Union President of Nene College and currently serves as a Borough Councillor for Kingsley Ward. He was Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrat Opposition Group on the Council from 1999 to 2004.

Education
Manshead Upper School, Dunstable Beds

Nene College, Northampton (1983 – 88) – Degree Combined Studies (History main subject, others, Economics, English and American studies) Grade 2ii.

Chartered Institute of Marketing Diploma in Marketing – completed 1997.

Employment
Nationwide Building Society (Northants) 1988 – 1995

Dial Direct Insurance/Bennetts Insurance (Coventry) 1995 – 2001

Home Retail Group Financial Services (Milton Keynes) 2001 to date.

Profession
Marketing Manager – Financial Services.

Politics

Andrew joined the Liberal Party at College and subsequently the Liberal Democrats when the party merged with the SDP in 1988. A local activist Andrew has also served as Chair of Northampton Liberal Democrats and represented the party as a candidate in past Council elections.

In 1995 Andrew was first elected as a Borough Councillor representing Kingsley ward. He was elected as Deputy Leader of the Lib Dem Council Group in 1999 and served as such until May 2004. He was re-elected for Kingsley ward three times in 1999, 2003 and 2007 but lost his seat in the most recent elections in 2011.

He stood for the Liberal Democrats as the Parlaimentary candidate in Northampton South Constituency in the 2001 General Election one of the few Labour/Conservative marginal seats in the country which saw the Liberal Democrat vote increase and both the other parties vote fall. In the 2005 General Election Andrew stood in the Northampton North constituency and obtained one of the best results for the party in the East Midlands, increasing the vote by 3,000 (40% up on last time) with a 6.7% increase. Andrew stood again in the 2019, further increasing the Lib Dem vote to 11,250, less than 2,500 votes behind the winning Conservative candidate.

Issues
In particular getting more people involved in local decision making and improving our democracy. Other main areas of concern are tackling prejudice and improving transportation.

Membership of Organisations
Chartered Institute of Marketing

Institute of Direct Marketing

Association of Liberal Democrat Councillors

Other Interests
My partner, our home and cats.Trying to understand my computer, watching classic comedy programmes, science fiction, and keeping fit at the gym (not often enough!)