Brian Mathew (politician)

• University of East Anglia
• University of Reading
• Cranfield University

Brian Mathew MP
Official portrait, 2024
Member of Parliament for Melksham and Devizes
Incumbent
Assumed office 4 July 2024

Brian George Felton Mathew ^[1] is a British Liberal Democrat politician who has been the Member of Parliament for Melksham and Devizes since 2024. ^[2] He defeated former Conservative minister Michelle Donelan, who had chosen to contest this seat in view of boundary changes at her Chippenham seat. ^[3]

Early life and education

Mathew graduated from the University of East Anglia in 1983 with a bachelor's degree in development studies. This was followed by a Postgraduate Diploma in agricultural engineering from Cranfield University's Silsoe College. In 1988, he gained a Master of Arts (MA) degree in rural social development at the University of Reading and in 2005 a PhD in water and sanitation at Cranfield University. ^{[4] [5]}

Career

Mathew had stood unsuccessfully for the North Wiltshire seat in 2015, 2017 and 2019. ^[6] He previously stood in North Somerset in 2010 but lost to Liam Fox. ^[7]

Mathew previously worked for aid organisations, including WaterAid in Tanzania. ^[8] He was elected for the Box & Colerne ward of Wiltshire Council in 2017 and re-elected in 2021. ^[9]

References

1. House of Commons, Votes and Proceedings, Tuesday 9 July 2024.
2. "Melksham & Devizes | General Election 2024". Sky News . Retrieved 5 July 2024.
3. Baker, John (15 May 2023). "Chippenham MP to fight Melksham & Devizes seat at general election". Wiltshire Times . Retrieved 5 March 2024.
4. "Dr Brian Mathew". Africa Ahead. Retrieved 28 July 2024.
5. "Brian Mathew MP". PolicyMogul. Retrieved 28 July 2024.
6. "Wiltshire North parliamentary constituency – Election 2019". BBC News. Retrieved 14 July 2024.
7. "BBC News | Election 2010 | Constituency | Somerset North". news.bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 4 October 2024.
8. Whitworth, Damian (9 June 2024). "How flooding could decide election in true-blue Melksham & Devizes". The Times . Retrieved 5 July 2024.
9. "Cllr Dr Brian Mathew MP". Wiltshire Council. Retrieved 14 July 2024.

External links

• Profile at Parliament of the United Kingdom
• Contributions in Parliament at Hansard
• Record in Parliament at TheyWorkForYou