Victoria Mei Elizabeth Collins[1] is a Liberal Democrat politician and entrepreneur[2] who has served as Member of Parliament (MP) for Harpenden and Berkhamsted since 2024.[3]
Victoria Collins | |
|---|---|
 Official portrait, 2024 | |
| Member of Parliament for Harpenden and Berkhamsted | |
| Assumed office 4 July 2024 | |
| Preceded by | Constituency established |
| Majority | 10,708 (19.7%) |
| Liberal Democrat portfolios | |
| 2024–present | Science, Innovation and Technology |
| Personal details | |
| Political party | Liberal Democrats |
| Alma mater | |
Background
editCollins was privately educated at Newcastle upon Tyne Church High School,[4][5] before studying history at Van Mildert College at Durham University from 2006 to 2009.[6] She later completed a master's degree in international economic policy at Sciences Po in Paris.[7][better source needed]
She is of Chinese descent.[8] In her maiden speech in Parliament, Collins indicated that her mother arrived in the United Kingdom from Malaysia for her education in 1974, and her mother went go on to run a shop where Victoria helped as she was growing up.[9]
Early career
editShe has previously worked on economic and environmental policy in the European Parliament,[10][11] and was a contributor on Forbes's website.[7] She has also worked as an independent consultant on sustainability.[11]
Political career
editCollins contested the Poole constituency for the Liberal Democrats at the 2019 general election. She came third, with 15.5% of the vote.[1][12]
Collins was selected as the Liberal Democrat prospective parliamentary candidate for the South West Hertfordshire constituency in October 2022.[13] However, due to the 2023 Boundary Commission changes, she was no longer located within the constituency, and she therefore was made to be the candidate for the Harpenden and Berkhamsted constituency.[14] She was elected to represent the constituency with a majority of 10,708 votes over the second place Conservative candidate Nigel Gardner.[3]
References
edit- ^ a b "Poole (2019)". BCP. Retrieved 4 July 2024.
- ^ "New Lib Dem candidate in search of gold in Harpenden". St Albans Times. 1 March 2024. Retrieved 1 July 2024.
- ^ a b "Harpenden and Berkhamsted - General election results 2024". BBC News. Retrieved 5 July 2024.
- ^ https://www.linkedin.com/in/collinsvictoria/details/education/
- ^ https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/7160127.students-hot-debates/
- ^ "Class Notes 2023". Durham University. University of Durham. Retrieved 7 July 2024.
- ^ a b "Victoria Collins". Forbes. Retrieved 25 June 2024.
- ^ https://www.facebook.com/ChineseLibDems/posts/amazing-result-congrats-victoria-collins-for-harpenden-berkhamsted-/881492820682191/
- ^ "Economy, Welfare and Public Services". UK Parliament. Retrieved 7 November 2024.
- ^ Day, Christopher (7 July 2023). "Lib Dems launch campaign to win new Harpenden & Berkhamsted seat". Herts Advertiser. Retrieved 25 June 2024.
- ^ a b "Harpenden and Berkhamsted constituency debate". BBC News. Retrieved 4 July 2024.
- ^ "Poole parliamentary constituency - Election 2019". BBC News. Retrieved 1 July 2024.
- ^ Preston, Olivia (14 October 2022). "Liberal Democrats select Victoria Collins as South West Hertfordshire parliamentary candidate". Hemel Today.
- ^ Bates, Pearce (12 April 2023). "Lib Dems select candidate for new Harpenden constituency". Herts Advertiser. Retrieved 25 June 2024.