Andrew was born in 1974 in West Germany while his father was serving there with the Royal Air Force. After returning to the UK he was educated at a good comprehensive school and sixth form college. Before going on to study law at the University of East Anglia - he was the first member of his family to go to university - Andrew spent a formative year in London with a charity working with deprived children and homeless people. After university he went on to work as a family law solicitor, which gave him a valuable insight into the critical issue of family breakdown in the UK today.
Andrew currently works as a university law lecturer. He knows from his own experience that good quality education is vitally important to making progress as an individual and as a nation. Over the last few years Andrew has researched and written on the subject of human trafficking (one of his political heroes is William Wilberforce) and has spoken on the subject around the world. Andrew shares Wilberforce's Christian worldview and this leads him to place a high value on the principles of personal responsibility; support for the family and the vulnerable; integrity in public life; the importance of community; and a strong work ethic.
Away from politics Andrew enjoys sailing his trusty old dinghy, spending time with friends, and trying not to put off going to the gym. He is married to Rebecca who has her hands full looking after their daughter who was born last October.
Andrew Gilbert's Experience
Andrew was selected as the parliamentary candidate for Birkenhead in February 2009. As generations of Andrew's family have lived in Birkenhead (for well over 100 years) he considers it a huge honour to represent the Conservative party in this diverse constituency. Andrew's strong local roots mean that what matters to Birkenhead, matters to him.
It's not just Andrew's legal background that equips him well for political life, but also his experience as a local councillor and as a lecturer in higher education. He is not in politics to serve himself, but to get things done and make a difference through bringing about positive change in the lives of individuals, families, communities and businesses.
Conservatives Working for Birkenhead
If ever there was a time for change in Birkenhead that time is NOW! The Labour and Lib Dem-run Wirral Council is in total disarray and across Birkenhead the effects of the Labour government's failure to deliver on health, crime and education - even though it's spent our hard-earned money - is painfully obvious.
During the recent Strategic Asset Review fiasco we were the only party which opposed the Lib Dem and Labour cuts to important services such as libraries and leisure centres, and put forward a workable alternative budget which would have avoided future closures. Difficult choices lie ahead, but no one can now doubt the Conservatives' commitment to fighting to save vital services in our communities.
Our campaign is about offering voters a different approach to tackling many of the issues facing the area, such as crime, education and getting people back into work. We now have a golden opportunity to show people that we are the only party which can be trusted with the future of Birkenhead.
Every person who helps, in whatever way, will help us rid our country of this failed and incompetent Labour Government and the doubly incompetent Labour/Lib Dem Wirral Borough Council. Please go to Andrew's MyConservatives campaign site to see how you can help.