Biography

Roger Williams entered Parliament in 2001, regaining the Brecon and Radnorshire seat at the 2005 and 2010 general elections.

After attending Christ College, Brecon, Roger Williams read Natural Science at Selwyn College, Cambridge, 1966-69, From 1969 to 2001, he was a livestock farmer; his other roles in public life included:

Chairman: of Brecon Beacon National Park [1990 - 1996]; of Brecon & Radnorshire National Farmers' Union [1985]: and of the Mid Wales Agri-Food partnership and board-member of the Wales Agri-Food Partnership [1999 - 2001]. Vice-chairman of the Training and Enterprise Council for Powys [1995]. Board-member: of the Training and Enterprise Council for mid-Wales [1997]; of the European Centre for Wales in Brussels [1993 - 2001]; and of the Development Board for Rural Wales [1991 - 1999]. Lay School Inspector for Wales and England [1995 - 2001].

He is a member of: the Farmers' Union of Wales, the National Farmers' Union and the Country Landowners and Business Association. His personal interests include: walking, reading, cricket and rugby

He was a Powys County Councillor [SDP 1981-88; Lib Dem 1988-2001]; in 1999 he contested Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire for the National Assembly for Wales.

As an MP his work on local issues includes campaigns for: a small business champion, a supermarket ombudsman, bovine TB, justice for Daniel Morgan, rural broadband and electrification of Welsh railways. He has campaigned against: identity cards, rural bank branch closures, improper siting of on-shore wind and the illegal meat trade.

In Parliament he was appointed Spokesperson for Food and Rural Affairs [2002], for Wales [2003] and Whip [2004]; he is a member of the Select Committees for Welsh Affairs and Environment, Food & Rural Affairs, and of the Standing Committee for the Draft Disability Discrimination Bill (a Joint Select Committee of Commons and Lords). Roger is an office-holder of the All Party Groups on: the British Council; Children in Wales; Conservation and Wildlife; Horses Mountain Rescue and Search Teams; National Parks; and Steel and Metal. In 2003 he participated in the parliamentary armed forces scheme and was seconded to the army for a year.

Experience

Farming

Parliamentary Experience

2007-10 Shadow Secretary of State for Wales, Whip, 2006-10 Shadow DEFRA (Rural Affairs), spokesperson, 2002-05 Shadow Ministerial Spokesperson, DEFRA (Food & Rural Affairs); 2003-10 Shadow Ministerial Spokesperson, Wales; 2010- Present Science and Technology Select Committee.

Interests

Education, Economic Development, Agriculture . Leisure - Walking, Reading, Cricket, Rugby, Twitter, being a grandfather to Theo, Beatrice and Evan.

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