Swindon Liberal Democrats elect new Leader

1.36.16pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 10th May 2005

Cllr Wendy Johnson, Leader of Swindon Liberal Democrats

Liberal Democrats on Swindon Borough Council have elected Cllr Wendy Johnson as the new Leader in a unanimous vote at their Annual Group Meeting on Monday 9th May. Cllr Stan Pajak takes over as Deputy Leader, also enjoying a unanimous vote of support.

Cllr Johnson has been Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrats since 1999. Wendy is a Qualified Barrister with an HND in Business & Finance and LLB (Hons) She is employed as a Company Director. Wendy served on Wiltshire County Council from 1985 to 1993 and was subsequently elected onto Swindon Borough Council. Her interests include Theatre, Cinema, Classical Music, Gardening,Foreign Travel, Politics and Education. Wendy is married with two adult children. She has twin grandchildren who live in Swindon.

Deputy Leader of Liberal Democrats, Cllr Stan Pajak

Cllr Stan Pajak has been elected as deputy leader of the group. Stan was Mayor of Swindon for 2002/03. First elected to Wiltshire County Council 1985, Borough Council 1987 As well as serving on various committees, Stan is also Vice Chair Queens Park Community Council and a governor of Robert le Kyng primary school. Stan has been involved in Community activities for many years. He is the longest serving Lib Dem councillor on the Borough. Stan was born in Swindon and is closely associated with town issues such as residents parking, the campaigns for a new central library and saving the Front Garden. A keen cyclist. Stan is married with four children and one grandson. He is a keen jogger with his best performance to date being the Reading Half Marathon in 1 hour 37 minutes! He is deeply concerned about the homeless and is a vigilant campaigner. He takes part in the Annual Sleep Out to raise awareness of the issue.

Former Group Leader, Cllr Chris Shepherd stepped down as Leader due to work commitments and a desire to spend more time campaigning in his ward of Freshbrook and Grange Park.