Mike German
Encyclopedia
Michael James German, Baron German, OBE
(born 8 May 1945), usually known as Mike German, is a member of the House of Lords
and former member of the National Assembly for Wales
for the South Wales East Region. He was leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats
from 2007–08. In 1996, he was awarded the OBE for his public and political service.
and St Mary’s College. In his early life he was a member of 28th Cardiff Sea Scout Group.
He trained and worked as a music teacher before becoming Head of the European Unit at the Welsh Joint Education Committee. Has also been a school governor.
between 1983–1996 and joint leader of the Council from 1987 to 1991; he was elected to the National Assembly for Wales
in 1999 and re-elected in 2003 and 2007.
He contested Cardiff Central in 1983 and 1987 for the Liberal/SDP Alliance, coming within 3,452 votes of winning the seat in the former year.
Under a Labour-Liberal Democrat coalition he became Deputy First Minister 2000-01 (and Minister for Economic Development) and again in 2002-03 (and Minister for Rural Affairs and Wales Abroad). He stepped down from the role of Deputy First Minister between the two dates to answer allegations made about his role at the Welsh examination board, the WJEC. During this period he was temporarily replaced by Jenny Randerson as Acting Deputy First Minister.
In November 2007, Mike German became leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats, after Lembit Opik
stood down to ensure that the leadership of the party was in the National Assembly and not Westminster. He was succeeded by Kirsty Williams
.
German's political interests include skills development in small and large companies in Wales, constitutional affairs, Local Government, economy and regeneration.
In May 2010, German was named to the House of Lords
as a 'working peer' in the Dissolution Honours list. He was succeeded to the Assembly in June 2010 by his wife, Veronica
, a Torfaen
councillor, as she was the next candidate on the regional party list in 2007. German took his seat as Baron German, of Llanfrechfa in the County Borough of Torfaen.
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
(born 8 May 1945), usually known as Mike German, is a member of the House of Lords
House of Lords
The House of Lords is the upper house of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. Like the House of Commons, it meets in the Palace of Westminster....
and former member of the National Assembly for Wales
National Assembly for Wales
The National Assembly for Wales is a devolved assembly with power to make legislation in Wales. The Assembly comprises 60 members, who are known as Assembly Members, or AMs...
for the South Wales East Region. He was leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats
Welsh Liberal Democrats
The Welsh Liberal Democrats are one of the three state parties of the federal Liberal Democrats and operate within Wales, the others being the Scottish Liberal Democrats and the Liberal Democrats in England....
from 2007–08. In 1996, he was awarded the OBE for his public and political service.
Biography
German was educated at the Open UniversityOpen University
The Open University is a distance learning and research university founded by Royal Charter in the United Kingdom...
and St Mary’s College. In his early life he was a member of 28th Cardiff Sea Scout Group.
He trained and worked as a music teacher before becoming Head of the European Unit at the Welsh Joint Education Committee. Has also been a school governor.
Political career
His political career spans over three decades, as councillor and Leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats on Cardiff City CouncilCardiff Council
The County Council of the City and County of Cardiff is the governing body for Cardiff, one of the Principal Areas of Wales. The council consists of 75 councillors, representing 29 electoral wards. The authority is properly styled as The County Council of the City and County of Cardiff or in...
between 1983–1996 and joint leader of the Council from 1987 to 1991; he was elected to the National Assembly for Wales
National Assembly for Wales
The National Assembly for Wales is a devolved assembly with power to make legislation in Wales. The Assembly comprises 60 members, who are known as Assembly Members, or AMs...
in 1999 and re-elected in 2003 and 2007.
He contested Cardiff Central in 1983 and 1987 for the Liberal/SDP Alliance, coming within 3,452 votes of winning the seat in the former year.
Under a Labour-Liberal Democrat coalition he became Deputy First Minister 2000-01 (and Minister for Economic Development) and again in 2002-03 (and Minister for Rural Affairs and Wales Abroad). He stepped down from the role of Deputy First Minister between the two dates to answer allegations made about his role at the Welsh examination board, the WJEC. During this period he was temporarily replaced by Jenny Randerson as Acting Deputy First Minister.
In November 2007, Mike German became leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats, after Lembit Opik
Lembit Öpik
Lembit Öpik is a British Liberal Democrat politician. He was the Member of Parliament for the constituency of Montgomeryshire in Wales from 1997 until he lost his seat in the 2010 General Election...
stood down to ensure that the leadership of the party was in the National Assembly and not Westminster. He was succeeded by Kirsty Williams
Kirsty Williams
Victoria Kirsty Williams is a British politician. She is the leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats and the Member of the Welsh Assembly for Brecon and Radnorshire.-Early life:...
.
German's political interests include skills development in small and large companies in Wales, constitutional affairs, Local Government, economy and regeneration.
In May 2010, German was named to the House of Lords
House of Lords
The House of Lords is the upper house of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. Like the House of Commons, it meets in the Palace of Westminster....
as a 'working peer' in the Dissolution Honours list. He was succeeded to the Assembly in June 2010 by his wife, Veronica
Veronica German
Veronica German is a Liberal Democrat politician and a former member of the National Assembly of Wales. She was a list member for South Wales East between 2010 and 2011.-Background:...
, a Torfaen
Torfaen
Torfaen is a county borough in Wales within the historic boundaries of Monmouthshire. It was originally formed in 1974 as a district of the county of Gwent and in 1996 it was reconstituted as a unitary authority.-Education:...
councillor, as she was the next candidate on the regional party list in 2007. German took his seat as Baron German, of Llanfrechfa in the County Borough of Torfaen.
External links
- Michael German AM website
- Michael German AM official biography at the National Assembly for Wales website
- Welsh Liberal Democrats website
- Official biography at House of Lords