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Born in Llandaff, Cardiff and educated at local schools until the age of ten, Cheryl’s heart is still very much in Wales. Her father, a former Army officer, was director of a steel company and her mother served as a wren. A frequent visitor to her family’s farm near Usk, Cheryl feels passionately about rural Wales, as well as the more urban south in which she grew up.
On being elected to Parliament in 1992, Cheryl completed a Parliamentary Fellowship with the RAF, flying in a large variety of aircraft and visiting many airbases at home and abroad. This, together with her family background, brings a special perspective to Cheryl's discussions on the future of the Armed Services in Wales, where she believes the continuing strong presence of the services are important for Wales and help encourage the growth of high-tech and other companies within the Welsh economy.
Cheryl is a keen supporter of the arts and sport. She sings with the Parliamentary Choir (when she has time) and is a fan of Gilbert and Sullivan and of Welsh Male Voice Choirs, once such a focal point of local communities. As a Director of British Film Year from 1984-86 she is particularly excited about the recent growth of the film and television sector in Wales and sees the potential for more growth in this sector. Her career with IMG, the international sporting group, spanned nearly 10 years and having worked amongst other areas on professional golf and the first “pyjama” cricket matches she is delighted that the Ryder Cup is coming to Wales and that the SWALEC cricket stadium now has Test Match status.
Having studied law and spent two years as Shadow Minister for Home, Constitutional and Legal Affairs, Cheryl takes a great interest in prisons and the legal system. She is particularly concerned with reducing re-offending and rehabilitation of prisoners.
Her extensive experience in both business and politics helps her to cover the broad brief of Welsh matters.
POSITIONS HELD:
- MP for Chesham and Amersham 1992 –
- Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Lord Privy Seal, Leader of the House of Lords, 1994 - 1995
- Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Department of Education and Employment, 1995 - 1997
- Frontbench Spokesman for Trade and Industry, 1997 – 1998
- Frontbench Spokesman for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs and International Development, 1998 – 2001
- Opposition Whip, 2001 – 2003
- Shadow Minister for Home, Constitutional and Legal Affairs, 2003 – 2005
- Shadow Secretary of State for Wales, 2005 -
PROUDEST POLITICAL ACHIEVEMENT:
As Schools Minister, extending the Specialist Schools programme to include sports and arts colleges. As a constituency MP, arranging a care package that enabled an elderly couple to remain together in their own home at the end of their lives, rather than being separated and sent to different care homes.
INTERESTS OUTSIDE OF POLITICS:
- Singing
- Gardening
- Golf
- Keeping chickens
FAMILY LIFE:
