Lorna Fitzsimons
Encyclopedia
Lorna Fitzsimons is a British
politician
. A member of the Labour Party
, she served as a Member of Parliament
(MP) representing the constituency of Rochdale
from 1997 to 2005.
. Then she went to Rochdale College of Art and Design, followed by Loughborough College of Art and Design (which became part of Loughborough University
in 1998) where she studied for a BA
in Textile Design.
Fitzsimons was the President of the National Union of Students (NUS) from 1992 to 1994, having previously held the position of NUS Vice-President (Education). She was a Director of NUS Services from 1990-4, and of Endsleigh Insurance
from 1992-4.
by the Liberal Democrat candidate Paul Rowen
.
As a parliamentarian, Fitzsimmons was a member of the campaign group Labour Friends of Israel
.
on 29 September 2006. While at the Herzliyaa Conference
, she is reported to have said that "public opinion does not influence foreign policy in Britain. Foreign policy is an elite issue."
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
. A member of the Labour Party
Labour Party (UK)
The Labour Party is a centre-left democratic socialist party in the United Kingdom. It surpassed the Liberal Party in general elections during the early 1920s, forming minority governments under Ramsay MacDonald in 1924 and 1929-1931. The party was in a wartime coalition from 1940 to 1945, after...
, she served as a Member of Parliament
Member of Parliament
A Member of Parliament is a representative of the voters to a :parliament. In many countries with bicameral parliaments, the term applies specifically to members of the lower house, as upper houses often have a different title, such as senate, and thus also have different titles for its members,...
(MP) representing the constituency of Rochdale
Rochdale (UK Parliament constituency)
Rochdale is a county constituency represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. It elects one Member of Parliament by the first past the post system of election.-Boundaries:...
from 1997 to 2005.
Early life
Fitzsimons went to St James CE Primary School in Wardle and Wardle High SchoolWardle High School
Wardle High School is a high school founded in September 1977. It caters to boys and girls between the ages of 11 and 18 and is located in Wardle, Greater Manchester, England. The school is ranked above satisfactory, and has several merits, including its music and arts departments...
. Then she went to Rochdale College of Art and Design, followed by Loughborough College of Art and Design (which became part of Loughborough University
Loughborough University
Loughborough University is a research based campus university located in the market town of Loughborough, Leicestershire, in the East Midlands of England...
in 1998) where she studied for a BA
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
in Textile Design.
Fitzsimons was the President of the National Union of Students (NUS) from 1992 to 1994, having previously held the position of NUS Vice-President (Education). She was a Director of NUS Services from 1990-4, and of Endsleigh Insurance
Endsleigh Insurance
Endsleigh Insurance is a Cheltenham-based UK insurance intermediary specialising in the student and graduate markets. It is the preferred insurer for several unions and professional associations....
from 1992-4.
Parliamentary career
In 1997, Fitzsimons was elected the Member of Parliament for Rochdale, a position she held until her defeat at the 2005 electionUnited Kingdom general election, 2005
The United Kingdom general election of 2005 was held on Thursday, 5 May 2005 to elect 646 members to the British House of Commons. The Labour Party under Tony Blair won its third consecutive victory, but with a majority of 66, reduced from 160....
by the Liberal Democrat candidate Paul Rowen
Paul Rowen
Paul John Rowen is a British Liberal Democrat politician. He was the Member of Parliament for Rochdale from 2005 until the 2010 general election, when he was defeated by Labour Party candidate Simon Danczuk.-Early life and career:...
.
As a parliamentarian, Fitzsimmons was a member of the campaign group Labour Friends of Israel
Labour Friends of Israel
Labour Friends of Israel is a lobby group promoting support within the British Labour Party for a strong bilateral relationship between Britain and Israel. It also seeks to strengthen ties between the British and the Israeli Labour party...
.
Career
Fitzsimons was appointed CEO of Britain Israel Communications and Research CentreBritain Israel Communications and Research Centre
The Britain Israel Communications and Research Centre is a United Kingdom based organisation which claims to act to create a more supportive environment for Israel in the UK...
on 29 September 2006. While at the Herzliyaa Conference
Herzliya conference
The Herzliya Conference, hosted by the Interdisciplinary Center at Herzliya, is Israel's center stage for the articulation of national policy by its most prominent leaders, including the Israeli President, the Prime Minister, the IDF Chief of General Staff, and the leading contenders for high...
, she is reported to have said that "public opinion does not influence foreign policy in Britain. Foreign policy is an elite issue."