Political

Shaun Roberts appointed new Lib Dem Director of Campaigns & Elections

News from Tim Gordon at Liberal Democrat HQ:

I am delighted to announce that Shaun Roberts has been appointed as Director of Campaigns and Elections. Shaun has a strong track record both within the Liberal Democrats and, more recently at Which? He has played a key role in numerous campaigns including our byelection triumphs in Brent and Eastleigh and in the Gurkha Justice campaign. At Which? he has been focused on building up their digital campaigning arm (which now boasts one of the strongest supporter networks in the UK) which will help in our drive for campaign innovation. I hope that you will join me in welcoming Shaun when he rejoins us on June 20th.

I am also pleased to announce that Dave McCobb has been promoted to Deputy Director of Campaigns and Elections‎. He has played a critical role in developing our approach to data-driven campaigning – he was central to the battle to defend Sheffield Hallam last year – and I am especially grateful for the co-ordination role that he has played since Hilary left earlier this year. His track record of winning elections, including in his own council of Hull and in Redcar in 2010, is impressive. He will lead the team until Shaun starts.

We were lucky to have a very strong field for the role. The process has involved key stakeholder representatives including the CCC, the local government community, an MP and the state parties as well as the Leader and the President. I am confident that with two such experienced and innovative campaigners at the head of the team we can look forward with confidence.

Shaun’s background in digital campaigning and using data to evaluate what does and doesn’t work is particularly important as the party looks to modernise and improve its campaigning approach. (As to why that matters so much, see What happened to the fabled Liberal Democrat grassroots campaigning machine?.)

Shaun also has a deep understanding of the party’s community politics based approach to campaigning, and indeed in 2011 co-authored with me Campaigning in Community, an extract from which you can read here. His previous roles in the party have included being head of the Ground Communications Team.

Best of luck Shaun and Dave – a great promotion too.

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