Claire's Story
Claire Young: A tireless campaigner for our area
Claire is well known for her campaigning work across South Gloucestershire since 2001. Her success in securing cross-party backing for declaring a Climate Emergency in South Gloucestershire is just one example in a long line of action to protect our environment that began with taking part in practical conservation projects as a child. From promoting policies on renewable energy and reducing disposable cup use to working with residents to cut their carbon emissions and their fuel bills, Claire has a strong record of environmental action, which she is determined to build on.
A Cambridge mathematics graduate, Claire spent a decade working in the software industry. She began her career with IBM, where her work included stints in Silicon Valley. Later she worked for high-tech start-up businesses in our area. She is keen to ensure that local people of all ages can take advantage of the many opportunities on our door-step. Recently, she has combined this background with her environmental activism to perform academic research into the environmental impact of information technology.
Claire lives with her family in Coalpit Heath and her two sons attended local schools. A South Gloucestershire councillor since 2007, she has campaigned hard with other parents to end the under-funding of our schools, which are among the lowest funded in the country. She also fights for better support for children with special needs and disabilities, chairing a Council review of this area of provision. A keen walker and photographer, Claire's passion for protecting our countryside has seen her campaigning successfully alongside residents against unsustainable housing plans. She continues to fight for genuinely affordable, zero carbon homes and greener local transport, most recently campaigning to save bus services.
Claire is Leader of South Gloucestershire Council after the Liberal Democrats formed a joint administration with Labour. She is the Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate for the Thornbury & Yate seat at the upcoming Westminster election.