Travel has played a huge part in my life. I worked for a yacht charter company in the 1970’s and worked my passage from Australia to the West Indies. This trip had a major impact on my life. It made me realise how privileged I was and how hard most people work to survive in the rest of the world. A life-defining moment was when a young mother in Jakarta, Indonesia handed me her baby to give him a better life. I often think of that desperate act.

During the 1970’s my first husband and I ran the family dairy farm at Breage, and raised three daughters. They all attended school in Breage and later Helston before going on to University. Guess what? They all have the travel bug – each being in a different country Singapore, Australia and Buenos Aires. It certainly helps to maintain my world view of life. My eldest daughter has now returned to live in Cornwall with her family.

My husband Robin and I live just outside of Tregony. Robin was MEP for Cornwall and Plymouth and is now the Lib Dem DEFRA spokesman in the House of Lords. I have been asked what we talk about over breakfast!

Sadly my parents both died last year. It was a difficult time especially as I thought my mum would have some quality time following my father's death. My mum passed away in the Royal Cornwall Hospital Treliske – and the whole family were hugely grateful to all the staff who took such good care of her there. It was a time of great sadness for the whole family and I was grateful for the support from my brother Ken and his wife Steph who live in Italy.

ABOUT MY POLITICAL LIFE

I first joined the Liberal Democrats in 1990. I originally started out as an Independent Councillor in Breage and Germoe. I was elected to Kerrier District Council in 1987. I’d never had anything to do with politics at that time and felt very proud that a young mum could actually make a difference.

The first important political lesson I learnt was that however good your idea it will never get put into practice unless the majority of the committee vote for it. That’s when I first understood the need for a strong team of people all committed to the same values and ideas. At this time I decided to join the Liberal Democrats as their policies were in line with my own thoughts and feelings. As the preamble to the Liberal Democrat constitution states “The Liberal Democrats exist to build and safeguard a fair, free and open society”. I like that.

I stood as the Parliamentary Candidate for Falmouth and Camborne in the '92 and '97 General Elections - preparing the way for Julia Goldworthy's fantastic victory in 2005. She is an excellent MP and I look forward to fighting for Cornwall with her in Westminster.

Lots of people say “What is the point in voting? They’re all the same anyway. What can one person do? Well, I don’t agree with them. They are not all the same. The public must ask about the policies – what are those politicians really offering to do for you? And one person can do a lot – look at history’s exceptional people - people like Nelson Mandela. Also look at the great work Al Gore, past vice President of the USA, is doing on highlighting global warming and pushing it to the top of the political agenda. And now we have President Obama...whose election clearly shows what hope one man can bring to a nation.

ABOUT MY WORK LIFE

Cornwall has many small companies – many family run. Most people work for one of those many companies that are the life blood of the Cornish Economy.

All companies have to keep growing and changing. We are no exception. I am pleased that we have just invested in new digital print equipment and wide format printers. This will allow us to produce personalised mailings and also banner signs.

I started my business from home in one of my daughters’ bedrooms! We initially offered computerised accounts for small companies and I had one of the first micro computers in Cornwall. From this small start I quickly realised that there was a market opportunity to sell computer consumables and print into local firms in Devon and Cornwall. I started KCS in 1981, and from small acorns big oaks grow. In the early 1990’s I bought a small print firm in Launceston.

We now print for major print management companies throughout the UK who broker print for blue chip companies. Most of the well-known companies in the country have had their print coming through our factory at some point in the last few years. We specialise in peel out labels and membership cards and bank pin-mailers.

KCS has grown from just me operating at home to employing nearly 30 staff. I am proud of my achievements. KCS was one of the first companies to be awarded an Investor in People accreditation. I am delighted that we have also just gained certification for FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) and PEFC (Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification). I am determined the company will keep environmental values at the top of our business agenda.

The average age of the workforce is 31 years. I truly believe in giving young people every opportunity to train and learn new skills while working in KCS. It is fundamentally important to retain skilled and trained workers in the county – without well paid jobs and opportunities Cornwall would lose many more young people to other parts of the country.

At the end of 2005 we moved into new 11,000sq ft custom built premises on the Pennygilliam Industrial Estate in Launceston. Lord George (better known as Eddie George), the past Governor of the Bank of England kindly agreed to open our new factory.

In 2007 I was extremely proud to be the top woman in the “Business Leader of the Year Awards 2007”. The Award is sponsored by NatWest, and is given to the outstanding individual who in the last year has best demonstrated exceptional leadership and vision. I have also been nominated for the IPIA National Award in the Print Industry for Individual Personality of the Year. Nominations are made for the individual who is held in the highest esteem in the print industry, successful in his or her own right, but always prepared to help and develop others without exception.