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Gareth Epps -
Katesgrove & Reading East PPC |
Gareth Epps lives near the Royal Berkshire Hospital in the heart of Reading. He works for a major infrastructure project, specialising in community consultation. Born and brought up in the Cotswolds, Gareth worked for the Liberal Democrats and then as a freelance for six years before joining a Reading-based public relations company in 2002.
Gareth first joined the Liberal Democrats in 1992 and became active as a response to the then Conservative Government's attacks on civil liberties. He stood against David Cameron in Witney in 2001, increasing the Lib Dem share of the vote. In 2007 he won the formerly safe Labour ward of Katesgrove on Reading Borough Council on a huge swing. He is currently Communities and Neighbourhoods shadow of the Liberal Democrat Group on Reading Borough Council.
Campaigns led by Gareth notably include the successful campaign to stop the Labour Council turning Reading's inner ring road one-way.
He has also led campaigns on recycling, local policing, housing and Post Offices. He formerly served on the Executive of Reading Council for Racial Equality.
Gareth has served at just about every level within the Liberal Democrats in the last ten years, and was involved with the process for the last two General Election manifestos. His key policy interests include transport, international affairs and the environment. He has argued from his time on the Lib Dem Youth & Students' executive that university tuition fees and, more lately, top-up fees should be axed.
Education:
Magdalen College School, Oxford; University of Manchester, BA (Hons) Modern Languages; UoM, MA European Politics & Policy
Experience:
Member of the Tax Commission. Former member, Federal Executive and Policy Committees. Sabbatical officer for Liberal Democrat Youth & Students, 1996-7
Council experience:
West Oxfordshire District Council 2000-2006, Reading Borough Council 2007-
Parliamentary experience:
Candidate in Witney, 2001
Occupation:
Community Relations Manager
Interests:
Cricket (and sport in general), live music, real ale.
Memberships:
Friends of the Earth, CAMRA, United Nations Association
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garethepps[at]cix.co.uk |
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