David was born, Fenwick Hospital, Lyndhurst, 9th October 1956.

He has lived in Totton for over 50 years, attending local schools including Lydlynch, Abbotswood, Testwood and Totton College.

From College, David joined the civil service, working for the Inland Revenue before moving onto the world of insurance, working for Eagle Star Insurance and a long career with Norwich Union as a Claims Investigator and Branch Manager, qualifying as a Chartered Insurer.

Keen on sport, David founded three junior football teams. He was also the prime movers behind Totton Weightlifting club, progressing from a part-time operation in a village hall to a full-time business, the gymnasium at Calmore Community Centre. He has completed three marathons and climbed Mount Snowdon and Ben Nevis.

David has been happily married to Marjorie for 25 years. They have two grown up children (both still in full-time education).

David has contributed many articles and letters to local newspapers on a variety of topics, holding the record for “most published Councillor”.

David joined the Liberal Democrats soon after the party was founded following the collapse of the former Liberal / Social Democrat Alliance.

David was elected initially to Totton & Eling Town Council where he has been a member for the best part of 20 years, twice holding the position of Chairman of the Town Council.

He was also elected to New Forest District Council. Here he has been a long serving member holding positions such as Chair of the Licensing Committee, Shadow Leisure Spokesman and Deputy Leader of the Opposition. He is currently the Leader of the 14 strong Liberal Democrat opposition group.

David was first elected as a member of Hampshire County Council in 2005 by a 175 vote majority, representing the communities of Totton South and Marchwood. Here, he serves on the Health Overview & Scrutiny Committee and Chairs the Marchwood Power Station Liaison Group. He was more recently re-elected to serve a further 4 year term, with an increased majority of 744 votes.

David combines his various Council duties with a full-time job, working for the National Health Service in the area of Adult Mental Health.

For the Liberal Democrats, David has also fulfilled a variety of roles including Campaigns Organiser, Parliamentary Candidate (Southampton Itchen 1997) and party Spokesman /media liaison. He was elected as leader of the Liberal Democrats on New Forest District Council in May 2008.

Apart from a keen interest in politics, David is a regular chess player, correspondent, cyclist and motor cyclist. He also loves country walking and all things relating to the New Forest.

Future plans?

David says “Well, there is still a lot of travelling I would like to do, including a motorbike tour of Europe and improving my French.

I might have one more shot at becoming a Member of Parliament. I am just really enthusiastic about the prospect of a reforming Liberal Democrat government.

Apart from that, I will probably run one more marathon and climb a few more mountains. I don’t plan to retire, ever, from some sort of work”.