Ruth Gripper was born and raised in Cornwall.

Full statement

She grew up in Perranwell in the heart of the constituency and went to the village school along with her brothers and older sister. Her dad was a GP in Devoran and Chacewater for thirty years, and her mum was also a GP and later worked at St Julia’s Hospice.

Ruth has a track record of public and community service through her career in the charity sector. At the NHS Confederation she worked with hospital trusts, charities and patient groups on issues facing the health service. She went on to work in a range of roles in the charity sector, working with charities and funders to help improve what they do.

Ruth lives in Perranwell and works for the university, based at the Knowledge Spa at Treliske Hospital. Her role involves bringing small businesses together with university researchers to support innovation, particularly around issues affecting work and health.

Why Ruth is standing for election
“The UK is at a crossroads and what happens in the next few weeks and months will affect all of us and how our country is seen around the world.

“Three quarters of people think that our political system is broken. Too many people feel that they have no way of making themselves heard and no real representation in Westminster where all the major decisions affecting our lives are made.

“I want to change that. Cornwall has been let down by its Conservative representatives. I think things can be better, and that’s why I’m standing as a Liberal Democrat to represent my home constituency.”

Ruth’s priorities are:

averting a disastrous No Deal Brexit
tackling the climate crisis for future generations
working for a fairer funding deal for Cornwall