Paul Rowen

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Paul Rowen MP

Member of Parliament for Rochdale
Incumbent
Assumed office 5 May 2005
Preceded by	Lorna Fitzsimons

Born	11 May 1955 (1955-05-11) (age 53)
Nationality	British
Political party	Liberal Democrat
Alma mater	University of Nottingham
Religion	Roman Catholic^{[citation needed]}
Website	Paul Rowen MP

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

1 Early Life and Career
2 Parliamentary career
3 Personal life
4 Notes and References
5 External links
- 5.1 News items

[edit] 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 Comprehensive School on Newdigate Street in Kimberley. 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.

[edit] 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. Considered to be to the Left of his party, he is a member of the centre-left Beveridge Group within the Liberal Democrats.