David was born in 1965 in Surrey. He was educated at St. George’s College, Weybridge before attending at Kings College Cambridge where he received a double first in economics.

He went on to work as an investment banker at both JP Morgan and Barclays de Zoete Wedd, before leaving the city to become economic adviser to the Liberal Democrats in 1994. Three years later, he went on to become the party’s Director of Policy and Research.

David Laws MP

In 1997, David fought Michael Howard at Folkestone and Hythe, though it was his second attempt at Parliament in 2001 which saw him succeed Paddy Ashdown as MP for Yeovil with a majority of 3928.

In the years since David was elected as an MP, he has worked hard to ensure that his constituents receive the best representation in Parliament and spends on average four days a week in the Yeovil constituency. He holds regular advice centres throughout the constituency, where he helps people from Yeovil, Chard, Crewkerne, Ilminster and the surrounding villages with their problems.

David has been involved in numerous campaigns both locally and at Westminster to improve the lives of his constituents. He successfully lobbied for increased access to local NHS dentistry in South Somerset, and for wider broadband coverage in the rural parts of his constituency. David also continues to fight for more affordable housing in the area, and for a fairer alternative to council tax.

At the General Election in May 2005, David was re-elected in Yeovil constituency with an increased majority of 8562, and the highest share of the vote of any MP in Somerset, Dorset, Devon and Cornwall.

Parliamentary Experience

In July 2001 David was appointed to the Treasury Select Committee, and in November 2001 he became Deputy Liberal Democrat Spokesman for Defence.

In October 2002, he became the Liberal Democrat Shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury, implemented a fundamental spending review and was heavily involved in the costings for the 2005 General Election.

His re-election in 2005 was followed by his appointment as Liberal Democrat Shadow Secretary of State for Work and Pensions. So far, David has focused his energies on producing a new pension policy paper, putting pressure on the Government to sort out the tax credit system and calling for reform of the CSA, and looking closely at proposed reforms on incapacity and housing benefit.