Justine's Biography

3rd on the party list

Justine McGuinness is a director of a specialist public affairs consultancy that focuses on environmental, legal and industrial issues. Her professional experience includes working to raise social responsibility and environmental standards, as well as working on cases involving miscarriages of justice or hostage situations.

She is a fellow of the RSA, a member of the Institute of Directors and a member of an external advisory panel for the College of Communications, University of the Arts London.

McGuinness has been an active member of the Liberal Democrats for nearly 20 years; as a student she was the Lib Dem candidate for NUS President and has progressed to hold posts in the Party such as Vice Chair of the Federal Conference Committee and serve on policy groups, including the Lib Dem's two Tax Commissions. During the last Lib Dem leadership contest she was a senior adviser to Rt Hon Nick Clegg MP and was chief aide to Rt Hon Sir Ming Campbell QC MP through his successful leadership campaign in 2006.

She is particularly interested in justice, policing, child protection, the rights of British citizens abroad, privacy/freedom of the media and the environment.

At the 2005 General Election McGuinness narrowly missed being elected when she stood for West Dorset and gained over 22,300 votes (42% of the vote). The seat had the highest turn-out in the UK.

Justine McGuinness grew up in a small village in rural West Dorset, where her parents still live, and a few miles away from the village where she currently lives. She is expecting her first child later this year. Her hobbies include ballet, opera and cooking.