Kishwer Falkner Elevated to the House of Lords (Kensington and Chelsea Liberal Democrats)

Kensington and Chelsea Liberal Democrats <info@kensingtonandchelsealibdems.org.uk>

Kishwer Falkner Elevated to the House of Lords

May 12, 2004 1:59 PM

Kishwer Falkner, who stood for election as MP for Kensington and Chelsea in the 2001 General Election, is among the eight new Liberal Democrat peers appointed to the House of Lords on 1st May.

Announcing the appointees, Charles Kennedy said: "Kishwer Falkner has been a prominent member of the Liberal Democrats. Kishwer's work at the charity Student Partnerships Worldwide has helped a huge number of disadvantaged young people in Africa and Asia.

"I am extremely pleased to welcome all our new Peers to the Liberal Democrat team in the Lords. Liberal Democrat Peers have achieved a great deal in the Second Chamber. Their debating skills, and persuasive arguments often sway the way the House of Lords votes on key issues. I am sure our new Peers will add their experience and skills to the quality of that debate."

Born in 1955, Kishwer was educated at St Joseph's Convent School in Karachi, the London School of Economics, and the University of Kent. She has been Chief Executive of Student Partnerships Worldwide, a charity supporting young people in Africa and Asia, and heavily involved in international development at the Commonwealth Secretariat. Previously she has been Chief Programme Officer, Political Affairs Division Commonwealth Secretariat ('99-'03), and Director International Affairs for the Liberal Democrats ('93-'99).

In comments to the Muslim News, Kishwer says that she is "honoured and delighted to take up this new role. I see this as a recognition of the contribution that so many immigrants make to life in Britain. I look forward to be a voice for diversity in the House of Lords."

Vanessa Giles, the Chair of Kensington & Chelsea Liberal Democrats said: "I would like to join with all our members in warmly congratulating Kishwer Falkner - herself a former Chair of this Association - on being appointed a life peeress by Charles Kennedy."

Local Lib Dem councillor Jennifer Kingsley added: "The honour is so very well deserved. She is a fine, intelligent and socially committed woman and will make a great lady!"

The other appointees are: Sir David Alliance, Jane Bonham Carter, Hugh Dykes, Air Marshal Sir Timothy Garden, Rabbi Dame Julia Neuberger, The Rev. John Roger Roberts and Sir Iain Vallance. They come from a wide variety of backgrounds and represent a significant addition to the 63 Liberal Democrat peers already in the Lords.