Paul Rowen
| Paul Rowen | |
|---|---|
 Rowen during the 2009 Liberal Democrat Party Conference | |
| Member of Parliament for Rochdale | |
|
In office 6 May 2005 – 12 April 2010 | |
| Preceded by | Lorna Fitzsimons |
| Succeeded by | Simon Danczuk |
| Majority | 444 (1.1%) |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
11 May 1955 Rochdale, Lancashire, England |
| Nationality | British |
| Political party | Liberal Democrat |
| Alma mater | University of Nottingham |
| Religion | Roman Catholic[1] |
Paul John Rowen (born 11 May 1955) is a British Liberal Democrat politician. He was the Member of Parliament (MP) for Rochdale from 2005 until the 2010 general election, when he was defeated by Labour Party candidate Simon Danczuk.
Early life and career
Born in Rochdale, Rowen went to the Bishop Henshaw RC Memorial High School (became St Cuthbert's RC High School in 1989 when Rochdale scrapped its three-tier system) on Shaw Road in Rochdale. From the University of Nottingham, he graduated with a BSc in Chemistry and Geology in 1976. From 1977-80, he taught Science at Kimberley School in Nottinghamshire. From 1980-6, he was Head of Chemistry at St Albans RC High School, Warren Lane in Oldham (now closed), then Head of Science at Our Ladys RC High School from 1986-90. From 1990-2005, he was Deputy Headteacher of Yorkshire Martyrs Catholic College on Westgate Hill Street in Tong, West Yorkshire.
Parliamentary career
Rowen contested the Rochdale seat in the 2001 general election, and won the seat in 2005 by around 400 votes; this reclaimed the seat for the Liberal Democrats since they lost the seat in 1997.
In the House of Commons he became a Liberal Democrat spokesman for Work and Pensions, having previously worked on disability issues.
He is a member of the Beveridge Group.[2]
Outside Parliament
Rowen is the Patron of the Greater Manchester branch of domestic violence charity the Mankind Initiative.[3]
He is also a paid director of a Ugandan property company called Corinya.[4]
Personal life
Rowen lists on his website that he enjoys hill-walking, travel and reading.[5]
He is a practising Roman Catholic.[1]
Notes and references
- 1 2 "Its primary example was the Rochdale constituency in the May general election – when a non-religious politician ... was defeated by a pro-life Catholic, Paul Rowen" (http://www.ekklesia.co.uk/content/article_050929godandthepoliticians.shtml)
- ↑ About us - The Beveridge Group 2007-10-28
- ↑ http://www.mankind.org.uk/aboutus.html
- ↑ http://www.theyworkforyou.com/mp/paul_rowen/rochdale#register
- ↑ About Paul Rowen - paulrowen.co.uk
External links
 |
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Paul Rowen. |
- Paul Rowen MP Paul Rowen's website
- Paul Rowen MP profile at the site of Liberal Democrats
- Rochdale Liberal Democrats
- Guardian Unlimited Politics - Ask Aristotle: Paul Rowen MP
- TheyWorkForYou.com - Paul Rowen MP
- The Public Whip - Paul Rowen MP voting record
- BBC Politics
News items
| Parliament of the United Kingdom | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Lorna Fitzsimons |
Member of Parliament for Rochdale 2005–2010 |
Succeeded by Simon Danczuk |