Jackie Ballard

Jackie Ballard has been a politician and journalist in the United Kingdom. She is currently the Director General of the RSPCA. Ballard was elected the Liberal Democrat member of Parliament for Taunton, Somerset, at the 1997 General election, beating the Conservative candidate by 2,443 votes. However, she lost her seat at the 2001 General election by 235 votes, to the Conservatives.

During her time as an MP, spokesperson on Womens Issues and on Local Government from 1997 to 1999 and from 1999 to 2001 was Deputy Home Affairs Spokesman. She was also co-sponsor of the first bill which attempted to ban fox hunting. She also stood for the post of leader of the Liberal Democrats in 1999, which was won by Charles Kennedy.

After losing her seat, Ballard spent some time in Iran, before being appointed Director General of the RSPCA in September 2002. Her appointment was criticised as she was seen as too inexperienced. The controvosy continued as, to solve the financial problems the RSPCA was facing, she made substantial changes, including 300 job cuts. However, by 2004 it had balanced its books and made £7m savings, seeming to vindicate Ballard's approach.

Ballard was born in Dunoon, Scotland. Her family moved, when she was 10, to South Wales, where she studied at Monmouth School for Girls. She then read Social psychology at the London School of Economics. She was recruited into the then Liberal Party by Paddy Ashdown and was elected a Councillor for both the South Somerset District Council (1987-1991) and Somerset County Council (1993-1997).

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