Lord Alton
For 18 years David Alton was a Member of the House of Commons and today is an Independent crossbench life Peer.
He began his career as a teacher but, in 1972, he was elected to Liverpool City Council as Britain's youngest City Councillor.
In 1992 he announced that he would not stand again as a Liberal Democrat after the party made abortion a party policy for the first time.
Earlier in the day, at the same conference, the Lib Dems had passed an animal welfare motion which included protection for goldfish on sale in amusement arcades and funfairs.
Subsequently the party called for Royal Commissions to examine the legalisation of euthanasia and drugs and passed policy supporting "therapeutic" cloning of human embryos.
In 1997, David was made a Life Peer of the House of Lords.
www.davidalton.com