Lib Dems appoint Daisy Cooper as Candidate Diversity Champion

A news release from the Liberal Democrats brings this excellent news about Daisy Cooper:

Liberal Democrat Leader Tim Farron and President Sal Brinton have appointed Daisy Cooper as the party's Candidate Diversity Champion, to drive forward and coordinate the party's action plan to improve the diversity of its MPs.

Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron said:

"I am committed to leading a parliamentary party out of the next election that is bigger and more diverse than the one I currently do. The party membership has backed using every method available to improve the diversity of MPs.

"As a party fighting to build an open, tolerant and united Britain we have to look like the country we seek to serve. I am delighted that Daisy has agreed to drive our plans to improve our party's diversity.

Party President Baroness Sal Brinton said:

"The Liberal Democrats now have a positive plan to ensure that the party uses the diverse talents of our members. We are the first party to use all the options available under the Equality Act 2010, and our Conference voted for support to increase the representation of women, BAME, disabled and LGBTI+ party officers and candidates.

"Daisy is passionate about creating equality for all and I'm delighted that she'll be leading the action plan agreed by members, including an initiative to headhunt candidates from under-represented groups."

Daisy Cooper said:

"I'm delighted to take on this role and am determined to play my part in transforming the make-up of our MPs.

"It is well-documented that candidates from under-represented groups face additional barriers to selection and election. Without the safe seats and money of the other big parties the bar is even higher for Liberal Democrat candidates, but as the only party fighting for an open, tolerant and united Britain we have a huge opportunity to build a party that truly reflects the face of modern Britain.

"I encourage all those who support our vision to join us, and to stand up and serve or get behind those who do."

Notes to editors:

Daisy Cooper is the Parliamentary Candidate for St Albans. She is a high-profile candidate within the Lib Dems having come second in the 2014 race to become Party President, and having stood for Parliament before.

She is known in the party for being a driving force behind the adoption of "One Member One Vote" and was part of the team that designed measures to improve the diversity of the party's councillors and future MPs.

Daisy is currently the Joint Executive Director of Hacked Off. Set up in the wake of the phone hacking scandal, Hacked Off campaigns with victims of press abuse and intrusion for a free and accountable press.

Previously Daisy worked in Commonwealth affairs for 10 years - campaigning for improved LGBT+ rights abroad and against human rights violations in Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka. Daisy campaigned for the UK to stay in the EU during the recent EU referendum.

The appointment was approved by the party's governing board, the Federal Executive.