Paul Rowen

Paul Rowen MP
Member of Parliament for Rochdale
Incumbent
Assumed office 5 May 2005
Preceded by	Lorna Fitzsimons
Majority	444 (1.1%)
Personal details
Born	(1955-05-11) 11 May 1955 Rochdale
Nationality	British
Political party	Liberal Democrat
Alma mater	University of Nottingham
Website	Paul Rowen MP

Paul John Rowen (born 11 May 1955, Rochdale) is the Liberal Democrat Member of Parliament for Rochdale. He was first elected at the 2005 general election.

Early Life and Career

He 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 in Ipswich, 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 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. He is currently the Liberal Democrat spokesman for Work and Pensions.

Paul is part of the Liberal Democrat work and pensions team, and has previously worked on disability issues. He is also a Lib Dem Whip.

He is a member of the Beveridge Group.

Personal life

Paul lists on his website that he enjoys hill-walking, travel and reading.

He is a practising Catholic.

External links

• 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

• Meet the MP - BBC