Matthew Green (British politician)

Matthew Roger Green (born 12 April 1970, Shropshire) is a former British politician. He was the Liberal Democrat Member of Parliament for Ludlow from 2001 to 2005, and his party's spokesman on the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister.

Matthew Green
Member of Parliament
for Ludlow
In office
7 June 2001 – 11 April 2005
Preceded byChristopher Gill
Succeeded byPhilip Dunne
Personal details
Born (1970-04-12) 12 April 1970
Shropshire, England
Political partyLiberal Democrat
Alma materUniversity of Birmingham

Parliamentary career

He contested Wolverhampton South West in 1997 and was a councillor prior to his election to parliament.[1]

Green was elected MP for Ludlow at the 2001 United Kingdom general election, with a majority of 1,630. He was the first Liberal to represent Ludlow since 1886. Green was appointed the party's spokesman on youth affairs in November 2001, and was spokesman on the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister between 2002 and 2003.[2] He lost his seat to the Conservative, Philip Dunne, in the 2005 general election.

On 25 February 2006, he was selected as the Lib Dem candidate for Ludlow at the next general election but in May 2007 Green stood down as candidate owing to the rapid growth of his new business, Green Planning Solutions LLP.[3] His brother Nathaniel Green was the Lib Dem candidate for Shrewsbury and Atcham at the 2019 general election.

Later life

His company, Green Planning Studio Ltd, acts as agents in high-profile public inquiries, which can take place after planning permission has been refused by local authorities or after an enforcement notice has been issued. Green has been dubbed the 'Gypsy King' for his advocacy for gypsies seeking the legitimisation of dwellings on green belt sites.[4]

Green remained involved in politics after leaving Parliament, being mentioned by the Shropshire Star as a potential Liberal Democrat candidate in the 2021 North Shropshire by-election.[5] Though ultimately not standing in the by-election, his contribution to the successful campaign was praised by fellow ex-Liberal Democrat MP Stephen Lloyd.[6]

Personal life

Green was born in Shropshire, living in Ratlinghope and Bishop's Castle before moving to Much Wenlock by the time of his election. Prior to entering parliament he worked as a PR and media advisor.[1]

References
  1. "Matthew Green (Lib-Dem)". Ludlow Advertiser. 24 May 2001. Retrieved 19 December 2021.
  2. "Matthew Green". BBC News. 21 October 2002. Retrieved 19 December 2021.
  3. "Selection news: Matthew Green steps down as Ludlow PPC". Libdemvoice.org. 18 May 2007. Archived from the original on 12 July 2018. Retrieved 29 July 2016.
  4. Leach, Ben (15 June 2009). "Former Lib Dem planning spokesman 'advises gypsies on running illegal camps'". Telegraph. Retrieved 29 July 2016.
  5. Madeley, Peter (11 November 2021). "Former anti-sleaze MP Martin Bell rejects offer to stand for Lib Dems in North Shropshire". Shropshire Star. Archived from the original on 12 December 2021. Retrieved 19 December 2021.
  6. Lloyd, Stephen (17 December 2021). "Matthew you played a HUGE part in this victory. Mobilising support, pushing the agenda 24/7 and being constantly supportive of new folk getting involved in the by-election. Hat tip to you!". Twitter. Retrieved 19 December 2021.
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