Cathy Bakewell

Cathy was born in Bristol but has lived in Somerset for over 50 years. She joined the Liberal Party in 1974 as she believed it was the only Party to speak up for the man in the street and espouse equality.

Cathy worked for Paddy Ashdown in his constituency office for 11 years and was elected to Somerset County Council in 1993, standing down in 2013. Cathy is passionate about the rights of children and young people and during her time as Leader of the Council ensured that services to the vulnerable were always given priority.

In parliament
Cathy joined the House of Lords in October 2013. Since that date she has spoken on the effects of the Spare Room Subsidy on Councils and Families and is currently a member of the Select Committee looking at Personal Service companies and in relation to Tax, and is part of the Lib Dem team taking through the Water Bill.

Since that date she has spoken on the effects of the Spare Room Subsidy on Councils and Families and is currently a member of the Select Committee looking at Personal Service Companies in relation to Tax, and was part of the Lib Dem team taking through the Water Bill.

In 2015 Cathy was appointed as the Liberal Democrat spokesperson for Housing as part of the Communities and Local Government Team.