About your local Lib Dem team

The Cardiff North constituency covers the areas of Gabalfa, Llandaff North, Heath, Rhiwbina & Pantmawr, Pontprennau & Old St. Mellons, Llanishen & Thornhill, Lisvane and Whitchurch & Tongwynlais. To contact your local Lib Dems, go to our "Contact Us" page.

This page tells you a little bit about some of the Lib Deam team in our area and outlines some of their interests and experience.

Matt Smith (Welsh Assembly spokesman)

Matt was born and raised in north Cardiff. He attended Whitchurch High School, and worked in a number of jobs in the area before enrolling to study for a BA in Politics at the University of Glamorgan.

Matt was elected Chair of Liberal Youth Wales (the youth and student wing of the Welsh Liberal Democrats) in 2010, and is a champion for better representation and understanding of young people by politicians. Matt contested the Blaenau Gwent seat at the General Election in 2010, and was one of the youngest Parliamentary Candidates in the whole country at just 22 years of age.

Matt's political interests centre around the opening up of Government at all levels in the interests of transparency, and engaging young people in politics. He has also vigorously campaigned for reform of the tax system so it is less punitive on low earners.

Outside of politics, Matt is a keen supporter of Cardiff City Football Club, and enjoys keeping fit by cycling.

John Dixon (Parliamentary spokesman for Cardiff North)

John was educated at Isleworth Grammar School in London and University College Cardiff, where he took a BSc (Hons) in Microbiology with genetics. He currently works as a graphic and web designer, as well as being the Executive Member for Health, Social Care & Wellbeing on Cardiff Council.

He worked for the Welsh Liberal Democrats as their press officer from 1998 to 1999 and has been a Liberal Democrat councillor on Cardiff Council since 1999.

He was the candidate in Cardiff North in the 2001 general election, the 2003 Welsh Assembly election and the 2005 general election. He was also the lead Lib Dem candidate for the South Wales Central list at the 2007 Welsh Assemly election.

John is a big fan of the Cardiff Blues Rugby Club, and also a keen rugby fan. He is engaged to Bel, a pharmacist living in Whitchurch.

Cllr. Ed Bridges (councillor for Gabalfa ward)

Ed grew up in Oxfordshire, and moved to Cardiff in 2001 to study Social Policy at Cardiff University. He has since also gained a Master's degree in Social Science Research, and is currently studying for a PhD at Cardiff University's School of Social Sciences where he also does some teaching.

He was elected as a councillor for Gabalfa ward in 2004 and re-elected in 2008 with an increased majority. In 2007, he stood as the Lib Dem candidate for the Welsh Assembly, and increased the party's share of the vote. His political interests centre around civil liberties and secularism; on the council, he is particularly interested in public library provision, student housing and licensing.

Outside of politics, Ed is a keen football and music fan, and he is also learning Welsh. He lives in Gabalfa with his wife, Sarah, who works in cancer research. Ed hates writing about himself in the third person.

Cllr. Cathy Pearcy (councillor for Gabalfa ward)

Cathy has lived in the Gabalfa ward with her husband Charlie for over 25 years with their four children who have all been educated in local schools. She was first elected in 2002 and currently sits on Scrutiny Committees for Children and Young People and Economic and Culture. Cathy is also a member of the Planning Committee and is Vice Chair of the Foster Carers Appeal Panel. With an interest in Children's Social services she is also a corporate parent. She also sits on the board of Northlands run by the Salvation Army and Pen Yr Enfys and is a Governor at Allensbank Primary School. In her spare time Cathy enjoys spending time with her family, reading, knitting, going to the theatre, church bell ringing and looking after her grandaughter.

Cllr. Fenella Bowden (councillor for Heath ward)

Fenella has lived in Cardiff North for nearly 30 years and has been an active part of the Heath & Birchgrove community. Prior to early retirement, she has worked in several government roles in South Wales dealing with training and education for young people, and equality issues.

Elected as a Councillor in May 2008, Fenella is also the Pastoral Secretary for St. Andrews Methodist Church and has been heavily involved in the running of the Luncheon club for the elderly there. She is also the Secretary for Churches Together in Whitchurch, Rhiwbina and Birchgrove.

Her political interests include equality (especially in the areas of disability), ageism, and women in the workplace.

Fenella is married to Steve (Treasurer to Cardiff North Lib Dems) and between them they have four children. They first began their courting whilst delivering Focus leaflets in Grangetown! Fenella is a passionate gardener and her favourite colour is lilac!

Cllr. Jacqui Hooper (councillor for Llandaff North ward)

Jacqui was born Mynachdy and has lived there for most of her life. She was elected in May 2008 as one of the Llandaff North councillors; she fully believes that through engaging with the community she can help with their needs and concerns within the area. Jacqui is married with four children and is Chair of the Mynachdy Community Centre.

Cllr. Ann Rowland-James (councillor for Llandaff North ward)

Ann was brought up in Wallasey, Cheshire and gained a Licentiate of the Royal Academy of Music (LRAM) Diploma in singing and teaching with the Royal College of Music in London. She moved to Cardiff in 1972 and has lived in Llandaff North since 1982.

She was elected as a Councillor for the Llandaff North ward in 2004 and re-elected in 2008 with an increased majority. She has built up a reputation for serving her community through community action.

Ann's interests include children and young people and she is particularly keen to see improved facilities for play and recreation within the ward. She also represents and speaks on behalf of the older members of the community, particularly the disabled.

Ann sits on the council's Children & Young People Scrutiny Committee, the Community & Adult Services Scrutiny Committee, the Schools Sub Committee and the Standards & Ethics Committee. She also serves on the management committees of the City Centre Youth Project (Grassroots), the Norwegian Church Arts Centre and is a school governor at Hawthorn Primary School.

Outside of politics, Ann is a keen allotment holder, aiming to be an example for others with bending and walking difficulties.