Brian Cotter, Baron Cotter

Brian Joseph Michael Cotter, Baron Cotter (born 24 August 1936) is a politician in the United Kingdom. He was Liberal Democrat Member of Parliament for Weston-super-Mare from 1997 to 2005.

The Right Honourable
The Lord Cotter
Member of the House of Lords
Lord Temporal
Assumed office
30 May 2006
Life Peerage
Member of Parliament
for Weston-super-Mare
In office
1 May 1997 – 11 April 2005
Preceded byJerry Wiggin
Succeeded byJohn Penrose
Personal details
Born
Brian Joseph Michael Cotter

(1936-08-24) 24 August 1936
London, England, UK
Political partyLiberal Democrats
OccupationPolitician

Early life

Born in London, the son of a doctor from Weston-super-Mare, he was educated at Saint Benedict's School, Ealing, and Downside School in Somerset, where, aged sixteen, he ran a 4½ minute mile. Upon leaving school, he entered the British Army, serving two years National Service, spending time stationed in West Germany. He entered business after leaving the army. He studied Business Studies at a polytechnic in London, eventually running his own small manufacturing company, Plasticable Ltd in Alton, which is now run as a co-operative.

Formerly a Conservative, as he stated in Woking Liberal/SDP Alliance general election campaign newspaper The Voice in 1987, Brian Cotter was elected to Woking Borough Council in 1986, as a Liberal/SDP Alliance candidate, representing the Mount Hermon West ward. He retained this seat until standing down in 1990.

Parliamentary career

In 1997, he was the first Member of Parliament for Weston-super-Mare to not be from the Conservative Party since 1923. He had contested the same seat in 1992 without success. He was re-elected in 2001, but Cotter lost the seat to John Penrose of the Conservatives at the 2005 general election. Throughout his time in Parliament, he served as Small Business Spokesman for the Liberal Democrats.

In April 2006, it was announced that Cotter would be created a life peer to join the Liberal Democrat ranks in the House of Lords, and on 30 May he was created Baron Cotter, of Congresbury in the County of Somerset.[1] He delivered his maiden speech in the Lords on 29 June.[2]

He takes an interest in a number of areas, and on various issues as they arise. Specifically, before the coalition government was formed in 2010, he led for the Liberal Democrats on Small Business issues and vocational education; specifically apprenticeships. Within the coalition, he concentrated on business and vocational training issues.

Outside Parliament

Baron Cotter is a practising Roman Catholic. Cotter is a patron of domestic violence charity the ManKind Initiative.[3]

Personal life

He married Eyleen Patricia Wade in February 1963. They have two sons and a daughter.

References
  1. "No. 58001". The London Gazette. 5 June 2006. p. 7665.
  2. "Page cannot be found - UK Parliament". Archived from the original on 5 March 2017. Retrieved 30 August 2017.
  3. "About us". Archived from the original on 17 August 2010. Retrieved 12 July 2010.
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