About Paul Scriven

Paul was born in Huddersfield in 1966, the middle of 3 children. He comes from a humble background, the son of a dustman and a hospital cleaner.

At 16 he left school with no qualifications and worked in road construction. After returning to college at 18 to take his 'O' and 'A' levels, Paul went to Manchester to get his degree and became president of the Student Union from 1989 - 90. Paul believes passionately in a free University education. "It changed my whole life. I want everyone to have that opportunity, regardless of their income."

After graduating, Paul worked for the National Health Service. Paul has been a lifelong advocate of the NHS, but believes that bureaucracy and tick-box culture stop doctors and nurses from doing their jobs.

Paul went on to set up his own business in Sheffield. In his first year in business hewas named one of the Top business people in Yorkshire under 42.

Paul was elected as a Liberal Democrat Councillor for Broomhill ward in 2000 and became a popular local councillor with a reputation for standing up for local people and getting things done. In 2002, after just 2 years in office he was elected leader of the Liberal Democrat Group in Sheffield.

In May 2008 he became the second ever Liberal Democrat Leader of Sheffield City Council, when the Liberal Democrats took control of the council with a strong mandate for change.

As Council Leader Paul has been quick to make his mark in the city, becoming a well known and often controversial figure who is not afraid to inject a bit of Yorkshire straight-talking into any situation.

He has overseen a number of key projects, including the establishment of Community Assemblies, local area boards which give local people a greater opportunity to influence the decisions which affect the area they live in. Paul is committed to devolution and when asked at the time of entering office what he would mark as an achievement after two years in control, he said that it would be 'to have less power than I do now, because local people will be making their own decisions'.

Paul has led a dedicated and dynamic team who have delivered the city's lowest ever council tax two years in a row (this year it was just 1.39%), cut the number of senior managers at the Town Hall by 10%, made huge improvements in GCSE results (the number of students achieving 5 A*-C including English and Maths was up 4% on the previous year), introduced a new kerbside recycling service and launched an action plan to reduce the city's carbon footprint by 30% by 2020.

Under Paul's leadership Sheffield secured the Sports Personality of Year Awards and the World Snooker Championships, was chosen as one of 15 host cities if England wins the 2018 World Cup bid, and has been shortlisted for the UK City of Culture Award.

He has shown that as Council Leader he is not afraid to get his hands dirty, joining gritting teams battling to keep roads open across Sheffield during the recent bad weather, picking up litter in parks as part of this years Spring Clean event and going out with graffiti teams cleaning up local neighbourhoods. He has also proved that he doesn't take himself too seriously, after his self proclaimed love of pop group Scouting for Girls (the feeling is apparently mutual!).

Paul was thrilled to be selected as the Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Candidate for Sheffield Central and is relishing the election campaign. "I'm passionate about standing up for Sheffield people and I'd like to think I have the real life experience that so many career-politicians are lacking these days."