Tamsin Dunwoody

Moyra Tamsin Dunwoody (born 3 September 1958), sometimes known as Tamsin Dunwoody-Kneafsey, is a British politician. She served as a Labour member of the National Assembly for Wales representing the constituency of Preseli Pembrokeshire from May 2003 until her defeat in the 2007 election by Conservative Party candidate Paul Davies.

Tamsin Dunwoody
Member of the Welsh Assembly for Preseli Pembrokeshire
In office 1 May 2003 – 3 May 2007
Preceded by	Richard Edwards
Succeeded by	Paul Davies
Personal details
Born	(1958-09-03) 3 September 1958 Totnes, Devon
Nationality	British
Political party	Labour
Children	5
Parents	John Dunwoody Gwyneth Dunwoody
Alma mater	University of Kent

Background

Dunwoody was born in Totnes, Devon,[1] the daughter of the late Labour MPs Gwyneth Dunwoody, and Dr John Dunwoody. Both of her parents lost their parliamentary seats at the 1970 general election, although her mother went on to represent Crewe and its successor, Crewe and Nantwich for 34 years until she died. Through her mother she is the granddaughter of former Labour Party General Secretary Morgan Phillips and Norah Phillips. She was educated at the Grey Coat Hospital Church of England girls' school in Westminster[2] and the University of Kent. She has five children: Daniel, Demelza, twins Michael and Morgana and Clarissa.

Professional career

Dunwoody trained in the National Health Service, and worked in London hospitals for nearly 15 years. She has also been an adviser to small businesses in west Wales and lives in Haverfordwest.[2]

Political career

Dunwoody-Kneafsey in 2003

Dunwoody was elected (under the name Tamsin Dunwoody-Kneafsey)[3] as Assembly Member for Preseli Pembrokeshire from 2003 to 2007. In October 2005 she was appointed Deputy Minister for Environment, Planning and Countryside and Deputy Minister for Economic Development and Transport in the Welsh Assembly Government. She was defeated in the 2007 election by Conservative Party candidate Paul Davies.

She was selected as the Labour candidate at the Crewe and Nantwich by-election, held on 22 May 2008, which was triggered by the death of her mother.[4][5] She lost to Conservative candidate Edward Timpson, by 7,860 votes[6] marking the first Conservative Party parliamentary by-election victory in a Labour-held constituency since 1978.[7] The last parliamentary by-election in which the Conservatives had gained a seat previously held by another party was in 1982, in Mitcham and Morden.[8]

She uncessfully sought the Labour nomination for Islwyn ahead of the 2010 general election. [9]

References

1. Burke's Peerage and Gentry Archived 16 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine
2. "Profile: Tamsin Dunwoody-Kneafsey, Labour". The Telegraph. Telegraph Media Group. 12 May 2008. Retrieved 9 January 2012.
3. Pierce, Andrew (17 May 2008). "Tories aren't the toffs in Crewe - it's Labour". The Telegraph. Retrieved 24 May 2010.
4. Gwyneth’s daughter aims to be next Crewe and Nantwich MP Crewe & Nantwich Guardian, 3 May 2008
5. Dunwoody's daughter to fight seat BBC News, 4 May 2008
6. "Cameron hails 'end of New Labour'". BBC News. 23 May 2008. Retrieved 24 May 2010.
7. Andrew Sparrow (23 May 2008). "Byelection: Live from Crewe and Nantwich". The Guardian. Guardian News and Media. Retrieved 7 May 2019.
8. "Tories snatch Crewe from Labour". BBC News. 23 May 2008. Retrieved 7 May 2019.
9. "The trouble with shortlists ..." BBC News. 1 March 2010. Retrieved 18 May 2020.

Offices held

Senedd Cymru
Preceded by Richard Edwards	Assembly Member for Preseli Pembrokeshire 2003–2007	Succeeded by Paul Davies
Political offices
Preceded by Brian Gibbons	Deputy Minister for Economic Development & Transport 2005 - 2007	Succeeded by (post reorganised)
Preceded by (new post)	Deputy Minister for Environment, Planning & Countryside 2005 - 2007	Succeeded by (post reorganised)