The Liberal Democrats have announced Cllr Clare Campion-Smith as their nomination to be the next Lord Mayor of Bristol for 2015/16.
Cllr Campion-Smith was first elected to represent Henleaze ward in May 2006. She was last re-elected to represent the area in 2014, beating her nearest rival by 500 votes. From February 2009 to November 2012, Clare was the lead member for Children’s Services. She maintains a strong interest in young people as vice-chair of governors of Claremont Special School in the north of the city as well as serving on the executive of the Liberal Democrat Education Association. Clare is an active member of the Methodist Church. She is a member of Sustrans, the National Trust, Ramblers Association, Amnesty International, English Heritage and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB). She has previously worked as a mathematics teacher and currently lives with her husband in Redland. They have two children, one daughter-in-law and two grandsons.
The post of Lord Mayor presides over the meetings of the Council, serving all 69 other members equally and impartially and acts as a symbolic figurehead for the city. If her nomination is accepted, Cllr Campion-Smith will take over the position from the current Lord Mayor in May.
Cllr Campion-Smith said:
“I am very proud and honoured to be nominated by my party as the next Lord Mayor. It has been a privilege to serve the residents of Henleaze for over eight years and it is a real honour to have the opportunity to now represent all of Bristol as Lord Mayor. If I’m selected I’ll be looking forward to meeting and speaking to people not only from all the different backgrounds and traditions of our cosmopolitan city but from right across the world during an exciting year as the Green Capital of Europe.
“I believe my many years as a councillor in Bristol and working as a teacher gives me a unique insight into the city. The position is something I value highly. It’s an important part of the tradition of the city and I am looking forward to the challenge ahead.”
Cllr Gary Hopkins, Liberal Democrat Council Group Leader, added:
“Clare has served the city and the residents of Henleaze ward for many years. She has enormous experience, a record of action and an enthusiasm and energy for Bristol and its people. I believe she will make a first-class Lord Mayor.”
