Julie Girling

MEP For the South West including Gibraltar 

 Julie was born in London where her father was a Police Officer. She was educated at Twickenham County Grammar School followed by Liverpool University where she graduated in 1979 with a degree in History and Politics.

 Julie joined Ford Motor Company as a graduate trainee and worked on the shop floor in a supervisory role. She later moved into retail management, spending seven years with Argos, three years with Dixons/Currys and then joined Boots before heading up Buying and Marketing at Halfords. She spent several years living and working in Indonesia with her husband.

 Julie's political life started at university as a member of the Federation of Conservative Students. Politics then took a back seat to work and family life for many years during which time her involvement was restricted to helping out at election time. In 1999 she was elected as a Councillor on Cotswold District Council and became Leader of the Council (the first Conservative!) in 2003. In 2005 Julie was elected to Gloucestershire County Council and became the Lead Cabinet Member for the Environment in 2006.

 Selected to stand as a Conservative candidate in the 2004 European elections, Julie was seventh on the list so was too far down to be elected. She persevered and was delighted to gain the number two position second time around.

 Julie was elected as MEP for the South West of England and Gibraltar in June 2009, joining Giles Chichester MEP and Ashley Fox MEP in representing the area.

 She has a keen interest in all environmental matters as well as agriculture and was very pleased to become a member of the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety Committee within the European Parliament. Currently also a substitute member on the Fisheries Committee and the Chief Whip of the Conservative Delegation.

 Julie is a strong supporter of rural communities and country pursuits and likes to spend spare time horse riding and walking her dogs. Julie is working on a number of campaigns including 'Save the Bee', dedicated to protecting Bees in the South West. 

 Julie lives in the Cotswolds with her husband Warren and 17 year old son Angus who goes to school in Cheltenham.

Julie Girling MEP
Chief Whip and Conservative Spokesman on Employment and Social Affairs
Gloucestershire Conservatives
Regent Court
Gloucester Business Park
Hucclecote
Gloucestershire GL3 4AD

 Email: julie.girling@europarl.europa.eu or Julie@juliegirling.com
Website: www.juliegirling.com
Phone: 01763 289654