Biography

Former marketing manager Jo Swinson was elected in May 2005 to represent the seat of East Dunbartonshire at Westminster. She had previously contested Strathkelvin & Bearsden for the Scottish Parliament in 2003, as well as running against John Prescott in Hull in 2001.

Jo grew up in Milngavie, East Dunbartonshire, and maintained close links with the area while studying at LSE, where she gained a first class degree in Management.

Upon her election to Parliament, Jo became the youngest MP in the House of Commons, and in March 2006 she took on the role of Shadow Scottish Secretary for the Liberal Democrats at Westminster, challenging the Government on a range of issues including energy, pensions and post offices.

Jo also chairs the party’s Campaign for Gender Balance, actively seeking out and promoting women candidates to stand at all levels of election.