Lembit �pik

Mr Lembit Öpik read Philosophy at Bristol University, where he gained a 2.1 in 1987. He was President of the Student Union (1985-6) and an NUS National Executive Member (1987-88). In 1988 he joined Procter and Gamble in Newcastle upon Tyne as a Brand Assistant. He soon moved on from developing brands to developing people, becoming Corporate Training and Organisation Development Manager.

In May 1997, he was elected as MP for Montgomeryshire and was re-elected in June 2001. He is the Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Northern Ireland, Wales (and was the party's Spokesperson for Young People from 1997 - 2002). In 2001 he became the Leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats and a member of the Liberal Democrat Shadow Cabinet. He has also played a prominent role in the debate on the future of foxhunting as Co-Chair of the Middle Way Group, which calls for statutory regulation of hunting as opposed to a ban.

His interests include Astronomy (he has been actively promoting awareness of the threat to earth from asteroids and meteors), flying (particular interest in gliders), motorbikes, and has even turned his hand to stand up comedy. He speaks fluent Estonian and is learning Welsh.