Ian Roome (/ruːm/ ) is a British Liberal Democrat politician who was elected as the Member of Parliament for North Devon in the 2024 United Kingdom general election.[1]
Ian Roome | |
|---|---|
 Official portrait, 2024 | |
| Member of Parliament for North Devon | |
| Assumed office 4 July 2024 | |
| Preceded by | Selaine Saxby |
| Majority | 6,744 (13.1%) |
| Councillor for Devon County Council | |
| Assumed office 7 May 2021 | |
| Preceded by | Brian Carol |
| Majority | 662 (19.7%) |
| Councillor for North Devon District Council | |
| Assumed office 7 May 2015 | |
| Preceded by | Colin James Payne |
| Majority | 1037 (4.2%) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1968 (age 55–56) Sheffield, Yorkshire, England |
| Political party | Liberal Democrats |
| Children | 2 |
| Education | Chaucer Comprehensive School |
| Website | www |
He previously served for two terms as Mayor of Barnstaple.[2]
Early life and career
editRoome was born and raised in Sheffield, attending Chaucer Comprehensive School from 1979 to 1985.
After leaving school, Roome joined the Royal Air Force in 1986, serving across the United Kingdom, as well as in Germany at RAF Laarbruch. He first came to North Devon in 1989, after being posted to RAF Chivenor.[3] Later, while serving as Mayor of Barnstaple in 2018, he would help to keep RM Chivenor operational, lobbying the Defence Secretary to keep the base open, after it was announced in 2016 that it could be facing potential closure.[4]
After leaving the Royal Air Force Roome worked in mental health nursing at North Devon District Hospital, after which he decided to work as a community mental health worker across North Devon.[5]
Political career
editRoome began his political career in 2003, serving as a Councillor for Barnstaple Town Council. During his time as a Barnstaple Town Councillor he held numerous notable positions, such as Mayor of Barnstaple and Chair of the Staff Committee. In 2011, during his tenure as a Barnstaple Town Councillor, he founded and managed a £2.5 million fundraising campaign to build a Chemotherapy and Day Treatment Unit at the North Devon District Hospital.[6] He also managed an additional £1.5 million capital campaign to build a Cancer and Wellbeing unit at the North Devon District Hospital.[7]
Roome was first elected to represent Yeo Valley on the North Devon District Council in May 2015.[8] He was re-elected in May 2019[9] to represent Barnstaple with Pilton Ward, which he continues to represent today.[10] He is Leader of the Council and Liberal Democrat Group.[11]
Roome was elected to represent Barnstaple North on the Devon County Council in May 2021. Alongside this he serves on the Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Authority.[12]
References
edit- ^ "North Devon - General election results 2024". BBC News. Retrieved 5 July 2024.
- ^ Bulmer, Joseph (2010-05-12). "New Barnstaple Mayor had humble beginnings". www.northdevongazette.co.uk. Retrieved 2024-07-11.
- ^ "New Barnstaple Mayor had humble beginnings". North Devon Gazette. Retrieved 8 July 2024.
- ^ "Devon mayor swaps council chamber for gruelling arctic circle commando training". Devon Live. Retrieved 8 July 2024.
- ^ "North Devon's new MP starts on his first day in Parliament and looks ahead to the future". North Devon Gazette.
- ^ "Big response to chemo appeal". North Devon Gazette. Retrieved 8 July 2024.
- ^ "North Devon chemotherapy appeal reaches £1m mark". BBC News. Retrieved 8 July 2024.
- ^ "North Devon District full election 7 May 2015". North Devon Council. Retrieved 8 July 2024.
- ^ "North Devon District full election 2 May 2019". North Devon Council. Retrieved 8 July 2024.
- ^ "North Devon District full election 4 May 2023". North Devon Council. Retrieved 8 July 2024.
- ^ "Councillor Ian Roome". North Devon Council. Retrieved 8 July 2024.
- ^ "Councillor Ian Roome - Democracy in Devon". Devon County Council. Retrieved 6 July 2024.