Brian Cotter, Baron Cotter

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Brian Joseph Michael Cotter, Baron Cotter (born 24 August 1938) is a politician in the United Kingdom. He was Liberal Democrat Member of Parliament for Weston-super-Mare, from the 1997 election until 2005.

Born in London, the son of a doctor from Weston-super-Mare, he was educated at Downside School in Somerset, where at age sixteen he ran a 4½ minute mile. On leaving school he entered the British Army, serving two years National Service, spending time stationed in Germany. He entered business after the Army, eventually running his own small manufacturing company, which is now run as a co-operative.

In 1997, he was elected as the first Member of Parliament for Weston-super-Mare not from the Conservative Party since 1923. He was re-elected in 2001, but the seat was won by John Penrose (Conservative) in the 2005 election. Throughout his time in Parliament he served as Small Business Spokesman for the Liberal Democrats.

In April 2006, it was announced that Cotter would be created a life peer to join the Liberal Democrat ranks in the House of Lords, and on 30 May he was created Baron Cotter, of Congresbury in the County of Somerset. He delivered his maiden speech in the Lords on 29 June [1].

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Parliament of the United Kingdom
Preceded by
Jerry Wiggin		 Member of Parliament for Weston-super-Mare
1997–2005		 Succeeded by
John Penrose
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