Graham Oakes was born in Bridport, Dorset in 1959. He grew up in Powerstock where his mother was the local Headmistress of the village school.

In 1968 graham's family moved to a village (Stoford) just over the border in Somerset. He attended Yeovil School, Westfield Comprehensive and Yeovil College.

He worked for 4 years in the motor trade before training as a Nurse. Graham spent almost his entire nursing career in care of the elderly, rapidly becoming a Charge Nurse before leaving the NHS to become a "Matron" of a series of nursing homes. In 2002 he became a care manager in a homecare company. Today he is the Group Care Manager for that company, overseeing care staff working in several counties.

Graham has an 18 yr old son, John, from his first marriage and a 3 yr old daughter, Emily, with his second wife, Louise. Louise, a Junior School teacher, is expecting their third child in August.

Pastimes (other than politics!)

Graham enjoys spending time with his family, watching football, history, travel, wine and real ale. He is a part time restaurant critic.

Favourites

Food - Mexican

Wine - Pinotage from South Africa

TV - West Wing

Music - Jazz Carnival by Azymuth, I found Lovin - Fat Back Band, Yellow by Coldplay

Dislikes

Smoking, celery, people with closed minds, reality tv shows.

Political CV

Joined the Liberal Party in 1972.

Was part of Paddy Ashdown's winning team in 1983.

First elected aged just 21 to Somerset County Council, being re-elected in 1985 and 1989. From 1985-89 he was Chair of the Social Services Committee during which time the department earned a national reputation for inovation.

Graham also served on Yeovil Without Parish and Yeovil Town Councils.

In 1992 Graham fought Exeter in the General Election.

He was elected to Devon County Coumncil in 1993 and became Chair of Resources, helping devise and monitor the councils budget. Re-elected in 1997 he became Vice Chair of the Education committee and then Chair of Life Long Learning Scrutiny.

In 1998 he was elected to Exter City Council, the first Lib Dem to ever take a seat off Labour.

In 2001 he fought Wells in the General Election.

In September 2004 he was selected as PPC for South Dorset.

He has been an Agent in many council elections and one Euro Campaign, (Somerset and Dorset West) gaining the second best result for the Lib Dems in the country.

Campaigns

Graham has led or played a leading role in a number of campaigns including calling a Parish poll in Yeovil against the formation of the Hospital trust, gaining the backing of the RSPCA and NFU for a motion on Animal Transportation and persuading two councils to back a call for a pardon for WW1 soldiers who had been shot at dawn.