I am 33 years old and a member of the Liberal Democrat team in Nether Edge Ward working alongside local councillors Colin France, Ali Qadar and Pat White and Sheffield Central Parliamentary Spokesman Cllr Paul Scriven.

I work full-time as Senior Political Officer for ALDC and have previously worked as a Liberal Democrat campaigns organiser in Sheffield Hallam, Eastleigh and Mid & West Wales.  Prior to that I worked for the former Sheffield to London train operator Midland Mainline, as well as having done a number of other jobs including shop assistant and postman.

I grew up in Crosspool in Sheffield, going to Tapton School, and then after a few years away in other parts of the country I moved back to the city and currently live in the city centre.  My family have long standing connections with the Nether Edge area.  My mum was born in the old Nether Edge Hospital and grew up in Hunter’s Bar and until recently my great aunt lived on Psalter Lane.  I have also had friends who live around Abbeydale Road and Banner Cross.

I joined the Liberal Democrats when I was at university as I was attracted to its belief in standing up for people against the vested interests that have such power over our lives.  I am also a big believer in giving more power to local communities and creating sustainable, inclusive and prosperous local communities.  It was also a reaction to growing up under a Conservative Government and a Labour Council.  I became an active party member very quickly and helped out with campaigning in many different parts of the country.  I spent a year as vice-chair of the party’s youth and student wing, was an elected member of Derby City Council for three years and currently sit on the party’s English party executive.  My main general political interests include the environment, education, reforming politics and transport.

Whilst politics is a big passion of mine, I have many interests outside of politics.  These include meeting friends, reading, family history, photography (you can see some of my photos on my Flickr site), listening to music and watching bands, blogging (I have a less formal website at www.andershanson.com, where I write a bit about politics, music and life in general), and visiting different parts of the country.

I am a member of Sheffield Civic Trust, The National Trust, and Friends of Mr. Straw’s House (where I was once a volunteer).