:Tim Farron
{{Short description|British politician (born 1970)}}
{{Use British English|date=November 2019}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2019}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| honorific_prefix =
| name = Tim Farron
| honorific_suffix = {{post-nominals|country=GBR|size=100%|MP}}
| image = Official portrait of Tim Farron MP crop 2.jpg
| caption = Official portrait, 2020
| office = Leader of the Liberal Democrats
| deputy = Jo Swinson (2017)
| 1blankname = President
| 1namedata = Sal Brinton
| term_start = 16 July 2015
| term_end = 20 July 2017
| predecessor = Nick Clegg
| successor = Vince Cable
| office1 = President of the Liberal Democrats
| leader1 = Nick Clegg
| term_start1 = 1 January 2011
| term_end1 = 1 January 2015
| predecessor1 = Ros Scott
| successor1 = Sal Brinton
| parliament3 = United Kingdom
| constituency_MP3 = Westmorland and Lonsdale
| term_start3 = 5 May 2005
| term_end3 =
| predecessor3 = Tim Collins
| successor3 =
| majority3 = 21,472 (43.3%)
| title4 = Liberal Democrat portfolios
| suboffice4 = Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
| subterm4 = 2008–2010,
2017–2019,
2020,
2022–present
| suboffice5 = Foreign and Commonwealth Office
| subterm5 = 2015
| suboffice6 =
| subterm6 =
| suboffice7 = Work and Pensions
| subterm7 = 2019–2020
| suboffice8 = Northern Powerhouse
| subterm8 = 2019–2020
| suboffice9 =
| subterm9 =
| suboffice10 = Housing, Communities and Local Government
| subterm10 = 2019–2022
| birth_name = Timothy James Farron
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1970|05|27|df=y}}
| birth_place = Preston, Lancashire, England
| death_date =
| death_place =
| party = Liberal Democrats
| otherparty = Liberal (1986–1988)
| spouse = {{marriage|Rosemary Cantley|2000}}
| children = 4
| alma_mater = Newcastle University
| website = {{URL|https://timfarron.co.uk}}
| signature = Tim Farron signature.svg
}}
Timothy James Farron (born 27 May 1970) is a British politician who served as Leader of the Liberal Democrats from 2015 to 2017. He has been the Member of Parliament (MP) for Westmorland and Lonsdale since 2005 and is the Liberal Democrat spokesperson for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.{{Cite web |title=Tim Farron |url=https://www.libdems.org.uk/tim-farron |access-date=2023-02-17 |website=www.libdems.org.uk |language=en-gb}} Before entering politics, he worked in higher education.{{Cite web |date=2018-05-12 |title=24 things you didn't know about Tim Farron - Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/liberaldemocrats/11741946/24-things-you-didnt-know-about-Tim-Farron.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180512091730/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/liberaldemocrats/11741946/24-things-you-didnt-know-about-Tim-Farron.html |archive-date=12 May 2018 |access-date=2020-11-17}}
Farron was the president of the Liberal Democrats from 2011 to 2014.{{cite web |url=http://www.libdemvoice.org/lib-dem-presidential-contest-result-2-22056.html |title=Lib Dem Presidential Contest: Result |first=Helen |last=Duffett |date=13 November 2010 |website=Lib Dem Voice |access-date=13 November 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101115082726/http://www.libdemvoice.org/lib-dem-presidential-contest-result-2-22056.html |archive-date=15 November 2010 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}{{cite news |title=Cambridgeshire campaigner becomes new President of the Liberal Democrats |website=itv.com |date=29 November 2014 }}{{cite web|title=Sal Brinton elected as new Liberal Democrat Party President|url=http://www.libdems.org.uk/new-lib-dem-president|website=www.libedems.org.uk|access-date=31 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170101002029/http://www.libdems.org.uk/new-lib-dem-president|archive-date=1 January 2017|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}} He was the Liberal Democrats' shadow foreign secretary in 2015 under Nick Clegg's leadership and Spokesperson for Housing, Communities and Local Government from 2019 to 2022, with responsibility for the Northern Powerhouse from 2019 to 2020.{{citation|url= https://www.libdems.org.uk/spokespeople|title= Liberal Democrat Spokespeople|date= 12 October 2017|access-date= 11 February 2019|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20190210192632/https://www.libdems.org.uk/spokespeople|archive-date= 10 February 2019|url-status= live}} He served as Spokesperson for Work and Pensions under Jo Swinson from 2019 to 2020.
Early life and education
Tim Farron was born on 27 May 1970 in Preston, and was educated at Lostock Hall High School and Runshaw College, Leyland,{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/liberaldemocrats/11740888/Tim-Farron-the-Christian-Lefty-on-course-to-be-elected-Liberal-Democrat-leader.html |title=Tim Farron: the Christian Lefty on course to be elected Liberal Democrat leader |first=Rosa |last=Prince |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |date=16 July 2015 |access-date=5 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180413103829/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/liberaldemocrats/11740888/Tim-Farron-the-Christian-Lefty-on-course-to-be-elected-Liberal-Democrat-leader.html |archive-date=13 April 2018 |url-status=live }} before going on to Newcastle University, where he gained a BA in Politics in 1992.{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2015/jul/16/tim-farron-profile-who-is-the-new-liberal-democrat-leader- |title=Tim Farron profile: who is the new Liberal Democrat leader? |first=Frances |last=Perraudin |newspaper=The Guardian |date=16 July 2015 |access-date=17 December 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170312075844/https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2015/jul/16/tim-farron-profile-who-is-the-new-liberal-democrat-leader- |archive-date=12 March 2017 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }} Farron has described how, in his youth, his bedroom bore pictures of widely differing politicians as the assassinated United States President John F. Kennedy, former Liberal Party leader Jo Grimond, and then–Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher.{{cite news|last1=Horton|first1=Helena|title=Tim Farron admits he had a poster of Margaret Thatcher on his wall as a teenager|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/05/08/tim-farron-admits-had-poster-margaret-thatcher-wall-teenager/|date=8 May 2017|access-date=31 May 2017|newspaper=The Daily Telegraph|quote=I had pictures of strange sort of leftwing politicians.|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170513021629/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/05/08/tim-farron-admits-had-poster-margaret-thatcher-wall-teenager/|archive-date=13 May 2017|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}
From 1987 to 1992, Farron fronted the Preston-based band Tim Farron and the Voyeurs, also known as Fred The Girl.{{cite news |last1=Whitehead |first1=Tom |title=Tim Farron: pop frontman days means he fears no rejection |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/liberaldemocrats/11744700/Tim-Farron-pop-frontman-days-means-he-fears-no-rejection.html |access-date=23 February 2019 |newspaper=The Telegraph |date=16 July 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190224062357/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/liberaldemocrats/11744700/Tim-Farron-pop-frontman-days-means-he-fears-no-rejection.html |archive-date=24 February 2019 |url-status=live }} According to Farron, the band was popular amongst Lancashire's youth after a series of highly successful tours. Farron said the band was offered a record deal with Island Records.{{cite news |last1=Mikey |first1=Smith |title=Lib Dem Tim Farron's 80s pop star secret revealed |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/lib-dem-tim-farrons-80s-5803750 |access-date=23 February 2019 |publisher=The Mirror |date=1 June 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190224173442/https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/lib-dem-tim-farrons-80s-5803750 |archive-date=24 February 2019 |url-status=live }} However, this claim has been countered by former band members instead describing 'Tim Farron and the Voyeurs' as a "fourth rate New Order".{{cite news |last1=Paul |first1=Bignell |title=Tim Farron: Lib Dem leadership contender - and ex-rock star in a 'fourth-rate New Order' |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/tim-farron-lib-dem-leadership-contender-and-ex-rock-star-in-a-fourth-rate-new-order-10287901.html |access-date=23 February 2019 |newspaper=The Independent |date=31 May 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190224180441/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/tim-farron-lib-dem-leadership-contender-and-ex-rock-star-in-a-fourth-rate-new-order-10287901.html |archive-date=24 February 2019 |url-status=live }}
In 1990, he was elected to the National Union of Students' National Executive. The following year, he was elected president of Newcastle University Students' Union, the first Liberal Democrat to hold the position, having joined the Liberal Party at the age of 16. Before his election to Parliament, Farron worked in higher education at Lancaster University from 1992 to 2002 and St Martin's College, Ambleside, from 2002 to 2005.{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/liberaldemocrats/11741946/24-things-you-didnt-know-about-Tim-Farron.html |title=24 things you didn't know about Tim Farron |first=Dillon |last=Leet |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |date=16 July 2015 |access-date=5 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180512091730/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/liberaldemocrats/11741946/24-things-you-didnt-know-about-Tim-Farron.html |archive-date=12 May 2018 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}
Parliamentary career
= Positions before 2005 =
Farron contested North West Durham at the 1992 general election, coming third with 14.6% of the vote behind the incumbent Labour Party MP Hilary Armstrong and Conservative candidate Theresa May.{{cite web |title=Election Data 1992 |url=http://www.electoralcalculus.co.uk/electdata_1992ob.txt |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111015054418/http://www.electoralcalculus.co.uk/electdata_1992ob.txt |archive-date=15 October 2011 |access-date=18 October 2015 |publisher=Electoral Calculus}}{{cite web |date=9 April 1992 |title=Politics Resources |url=http://www.politicsresources.net/area/uk/ge92/ge92index.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110724020412/http://www.politicsresources.net/area/uk/ge92/ge92index.htm |archive-date=24 July 2011 |access-date=2010-12-06 |work=Election 1992 |publisher=Politics Resources}}
He then served on Lancashire County Council from 1993 to 2000 and was also a councillor for Leyland Central ward on South Ribble Borough Council from 1995 to 1999.{{cite web|title=South Ribble Borough Council Election Results 1973–2011|url=http://www.electionscentre.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/South-Ribble-1973-2011.pdf|publisher=The Elections Centre|access-date=11 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170212093426/http://www.electionscentre.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/South-Ribble-1973-2011.pdf|archive-date=12 February 2017|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}
Farron stood in South Ribble at the 1997 general election, coming third with 10.6% of the vote behind the Labour candidate David Borrow and the Conservative candidate Robert Atkins.{{cite web|title=Ribble South|url=http://www.politicsresources.net/area/uk/constit/409.htm|website=Political Science Resources|access-date=11 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304125445/http://www.politicsresources.net/area/uk/constit/409.htm|archive-date=4 March 2016|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}
He stood for the Liberal Democrats in the North West region in the 1999 European Parliament elections.{{cite web|title=1999 Election Candidates|url=http://www.europarl.org.uk/section/1999/1999-election-candidates|publisher=UK Office of the European Parliament|access-date=11 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090518100301/http://www.europarl.org.uk/section/1999/1999-election-candidates#northwest|archive-date=18 May 2009}}
At the 2001 general election, Farron contested the Westmorland and Lonsdale seat and finished second, reducing the majority of the sitting Conservative MP Tim Collins to 3,167.{{cite web|title=Westmorland and Lonsdale|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/static/vote2001/results_constituencies/constituencies/628.stm|website=Vote 2001|publisher=BBC News|access-date=11 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151119075445/http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/static/vote2001/results_constituencies/constituencies/628.stm|archive-date=19 November 2015|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}} He then served as a councillor for the Milnthorpe ward on the South Lakeland District Council from 2004 to 2008.{{cite web|url=http://www.southlakeland.gov.uk/main.asp?page=872|title=South Lakeland District Council Elections – 10 June 2004: Election Results|publisher=South Lakeland District Council|access-date=11 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040921084919/http://www.southlakeland.gov.uk/main.asp?page=872|archive-date=2004-09-21 }} Follow link "Table of Election Results in South Lakeland" for results.
= Westmorland and Lonsdale from 2005 win to 2009 =
At the 2005 general election, Farron again fought Collins in Westmorland and Lonsdale, and this time won the election by a narrow margin of just 267 votes. He made his maiden speech in Parliament on 25 May 2005.{{cite Hansard |house=House of Commons |title=The Economy and Welfare Reform |url=https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200506/cmhansrd/vo050525/debtext/50525-19.htm#50525-19_spnew1 |date=25 May 2005 |column_start=752 |column_end=755 |speaker=Tim Farron |position=MP for Westmorland and Lonsdale |access-date=16 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161028055239/http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200506/cmhansrd/vo050525/debtext/50525-19.htm#50525-19_spnew1#50525-19_spnew1 |archive-date=28 October 2016 |url-status=live }} As a new MP, he became a member of the Education and Skills Select committee and was appointed as Youth Affairs Spokesperson for the Liberal Democrats. In 2005 he founded the all-party parliamentary group on hill farming, of which he was still chair {{as of|lc=yes|March 2015}}.{{cite news|last1=Davies|first1=Isabel|title=MPs establish new Parliamentary group on hill farming|url=http://www.fwi.co.uk/livestock/mps-establish-new-parliamentary-group-on-hill-farming.htm|access-date=11 February 2017|work=Farmers Weekly|date=26 July 2005|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170212092528/http://www.fwi.co.uk/livestock/mps-establish-new-parliamentary-group-on-hill-farming.htm|archive-date=12 February 2017|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}{{cite web|title=Hill Farming|url=https://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm/cmallparty/register/hill-farming.htm|website=Register Of All-Party Groups [as at 30 March 2015]|publisher=House of Commons|access-date=11 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170212092001/https://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm/cmallparty/register/hill-farming.htm|archive-date=12 February 2017|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}
During Menzies Campbell's period as the Liberal Democrat leader, Farron was Campbell's Parliamentary Private Secretary. In 2007 he was made a Liberal Democrat spokesman for Home Affairs.{{cite web|title=FARRON, Tim|url=http://parliamentaryyearbook.co.uk/mp-member/farron-tim.html|website=The House of Commons|publisher=Parliamentary Yearbook|access-date=11 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170212093329/http://parliamentaryyearbook.co.uk/mp-member/farron-tim.html|archive-date=12 February 2017|url-status=live}}
Farron resigned from the front bench of the Liberal Democrats on 5 March 2008 in protest at the party's abstention from a parliamentary vote on a proposed Conservative referendum on Britain's accession to the Lisbon Treaty. However he later returned to the party's front bench as spokesperson for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.{{cite news |url=http://www.thewestmorlandgazette.co.uk/search/2096143.MP_Tim_Farron_resigns_from_Lib_Dem_frontbench/ |title=MP Tim Farron resigns from Lib Dem frontbench |newspaper=The Westmorland Gazette |date=5 March 2008 |access-date=25 July 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110614063304/http://www.thewestmorlandgazette.co.uk/search/2096143.MP_Tim_Farron_resigns_from_Lib_Dem_frontbench/ |archive-date=14 June 2011 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }} He is a member of the Beveridge Group within the Liberal Democrats.{{cite web |url=http://www.beveridgegroup.org.uk/about-us/about-us.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080705215144/http://www.beveridgegroup.org.uk/about-us/about-us.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=5 July 2008 |title=About us |website=The Beveridge Group |date=28 October 2007}}{{cite news|last1=Jardine|first1=Christine|title=Tim Farron can lead Lib Dems|url=http://www.scotsman.com/news/opinion/christine-jardine-tim-farron-can-lead-lib-dems-1-3774593|access-date=11 February 2017|work=The Scotsman|date=15 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170212164009/http://www.scotsman.com/news/opinion/christine-jardine-tim-farron-can-lead-lib-dems-1-3774593|archive-date=12 February 2017|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}
= 2010–2015 =
At the 2010 general election, Farron was re-elected, increasing his share of the vote to 60% and increasing his majority to 12,264.{{cite web |title=Election Data 2010 |url=http://www.electoralcalculus.co.uk/electdata_2010.txt |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130726162034/http://www.electoralcalculus.co.uk/electdata_2010.txt |archive-date=26 July 2013 |access-date=17 October 2015 |publisher=Electoral Calculus}}[http://www.westmorlandconservatives.org.uk Westmorland and Lonsdale Conservatives], Westmorland and Lonsdale Conservatives This result was against the run of the rest of the party, making Westmorland and Lonsdale one of the few Liberal Democrat strongholds.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/election2010/results/constituency/f13.stm |title=Election 2010 – Constituency – Westmorland & Lonsdale |work=BBC News |date=7 May 2010 |access-date=9 May 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170823063804/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/election2010/results/constituency/f13.stm |archive-date=23 August 2017 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}
On 27 May 2010, Farron stood for the position of Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrats, made vacant by the resignation of Vince Cable. On 9 June, Farron lost the competition to the former party President, Simon Hughes. Hughes won by 20 votes; having had 38 nominations from the parliamentary party, compared to Farron's 18.
On 16 September 2010, Farron stood for the position of President of the Liberal Democrats following Baroness Scott's decision not to seek re-election. He won the election with 53% of the vote, beating fellow candidate Susan Kramer on 47%.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-11750362 |work=BBC News |title=Tim Farron elected as Lib Dem president |access-date=13 November 2010 |date=13 November 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101114044648/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-11750362 |archive-date=14 November 2010 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}
In March 2012, Farron was one of three MPs who signed a letter sent to the Advertising Standards Authority, criticising their recent decision to stop the Christian group "Healing on the Streets of Bath" from making explicit claims that prayer can heal. The letter called for the ASA to provide indisputable scientific evidence that faith healing did not work; Farron subsequently admitted that the letter was not "well-worded" and that he should not have signed it "as it was written".{{Cite news | url= http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2012/03/29/tim-farron-prayer-can-heal-letter-was-a-mistake_n_1387187.html | work= Huffington Post UK | title= Tim Farron: 'Prayer Can Heal' Letter Was A Mistake | access-date= 30 March 2012 | date= 29 March 2012 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120331222728/http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2012/03/29/tim-farron-prayer-can-heal-letter-was-a-mistake_n_1387187.html | archive-date= 31 March 2012 | url-status= live | df= dmy-all }}
Farron was re-elected at the 2015 general election with a decreased vote share of 51.5% and a decreased majority of 8,949.{{cite web |title=Election Data 2015 |url=http://www.electoralcalculus.co.uk/electdata_2015.txt |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151017112223/http://www.electoralcalculus.co.uk/electdata_2015.txt |archive-date=17 October 2015 |access-date=17 October 2015 |publisher=Electoral Calculus}} After the election, he was considered a favourite to succeed Nick Clegg as Leader of the Liberal Democrats.{{cite news |last1=Parker |first1=George |last2=Stacey |first2=Kiran |url=http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/2/283dec32-f504-11e4-abb5-00144feab7de.html#axzz3ZXgTQzGL |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221211191230/https://www.ft.com/content/283dec32-f504-11e4-abb5-00144feab7de#axzz3ZXgTQzGL |archive-date=11 December 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Nick Clegg resigns as Liberal Democrats suffer electoral catastrophe |newspaper=Financial Times |date=8 May 2015 |access-date=9 May 2015 }}
= Leadership of the Liberal Democrats =
In May 2015, Farron confirmed his candidacy for the 2015 Liberal Democrats leadership election on BBC Radio 4.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/election-2015-32732772 |title=Liberal Democrat leadership: Tim Farron confirms his bid |date=14 May 2015 |work=BBC News |access-date=14 May 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518024245/http://www.bbc.com/news/election-2015-32732772 |archive-date=18 May 2015 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }} On 16 July he won the leadership election with 56.5% of the vote, ahead of Norman Lamb who achieved 43.5%.{{cite web|title=Tim Farron elected as Leader of the Liberal Democrats|url=http://www.libdems.org.uk/tim-farron-elected-leader-liberal-democrats|last=Mayhew|first=Bess|date=16 July 2015|website=Liberal Democrats|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150717022059/http://www.libdems.org.uk/tim-farron-elected-leader-liberal-democrats|archive-date=17 July 2015|access-date=16 July 2015|df=dmy-all}}
Farron's first speech at the September 2015 Liberal Democrat Conference in Bournemouth was praised in the press.{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2015/sep/20/tim-farron-plays-to-strengths-with-gaffe-free-performance-at-lib-dem-party-conference |title=Tim Farron plays to strengths with gaffe-free performance at Lib Dem party conference |first=Michael |last=White |date=20 September 2015 |newspaper=The Guardian |access-date=17 December 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160831170107/http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2015/sep/20/tim-farron-plays-to-strengths-with-gaffe-free-performance-at-lib-dem-party-conference |archive-date=31 August 2016 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}
At the 2017 general election, Farron was again re-elected, decreasing his share of the vote to 45.8% and seeing his majority cut to just 777.{{cite web |date=11 May 2017 |title=UK Parliamentary election: Westmorland & Lonsdale constituency - Statement of Persons Nominated and Notice of Poll |url=https://www.southlakeland.gov.uk/media/3620/notice-of-poll-and-statement-of-persons-nominated.pdf |access-date=8 June 2017 |publisher=South Lakeland District Council}} He stated he would step down as party leader following the election, stating that he had become "torn between living as a faithful Christian and serving as a political leader".{{cite web |date=14 June 2017 |website=BBC News |title=Tim Farron quits as Lib Dem leader |access-date=14 June 2017 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-40281300 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170614225042/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-40281300 |archive-date=14 June 2017 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }} He remained in office until the unopposed election of Vince Cable as party leader.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-40281300|work=BBC News|date=14 June 2017|title=Tim Farron quits as Lib Dem leader|access-date=22 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170614225042/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-40281300|archive-date=14 June 2017|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2017/jun/14/tim-farron-quits-as-lib-dem-leader|title=Tim Farron quits as Lib Dem leader|first1=Jessica|last1=Elgot|first2=Heather|last2=Stewart|date=14 June 2017|website=The Guardian|access-date=18 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170617161450/https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2017/jun/14/tim-farron-quits-as-lib-dem-leader|archive-date=17 June 2017|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}
= Career after party leadership =
Farron was again re-elected at the 2019 general election, increasing his share of the vote to 48.9% and increasing his majority to 1,934.{{cite web |title=Statement of Persons Nominated and Notice of Poll |url=https://www.southlakeland.gov.uk/media/6953/statement-of-persons-nominated-and-notice-of-poll-accessible.pdf |access-date=15 November 2019 |website=southlakeland.gov.uk |publisher=South Lakeland Council}}{{Cite news |title=Westmorland & Lonsdale parliamentary constituency - Election 2019 |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/politics/constituencies/E14001037 |access-date=2019-12-16 |language=en-GB}}
At the 2024 general election, Farron was again re-elected with an increased vote share of 62.7% and an increased majority of 21,472.{{Cite news |title=Westmorland & Lonsdale - 2024 UK General Election Results |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/graphics/2024-uk-election-results/constituencies/westmorland-and-lonsdale/ |access-date=2024-07-30 |work=Bloomberg.com |language=en}} He received 31,061 votes, the highest number of any candidate in the election. {{cite web |title=HoC-GE2024-results-by-candidate |url=https://researchbriefings.files.parliament.uk/documents/CBP-10009/HoC-GE2024-results-by-candidate.csv |access-date=24 September 2024 |website=commonslibrary.parliament.uk |publisher=House of Commons Library}}
Political positions
Among political observers, Farron is widely seen as being of left-leaning political position.{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/generalelection/nick-clegg-resigns-lib-dems-rush-to-replace-leader-with-tim-farron-and-norman-lamb-as-potential-candidates-10237194.html |title=Nick Clegg resigns: Lib Dems rush to replace leader with Tim Farron and Norman Lamb as potential candidates |newspaper=The Independent |first=Nigel |last=Morris |date=8 May 2015 |access-date=9 May 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150512052453/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/generalelection/nick-clegg-resigns-lib-dems-rush-to-replace-leader-with-tim-farron-and-norman-lamb-as-potential-candidates-10237194.html |archive-date=12 May 2015 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2015/mar/24/tim-farron-not-a-credible-leader-for-lib-dems-says-vince-cable |title=Tim Farron not a 'credible leader' for Lib Dems, says Vince Cable |first=Frances |last=Perraudin |date=24 March 2015 |newspaper=The Guardian |access-date=9 May 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518092103/http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2015/mar/24/tim-farron-not-a-credible-leader-for-lib-dems-says-vince-cable |archive-date=18 May 2015 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}{{cite journal |url=http://www.newstatesman.com/politics/2015/02/exclusive-tim-farron-lib-dems-will-have-back-labour-if-they-win-more-seats-tories |title=Exclusive: Tim Farron: Lib Dems will have to back Labour if they win more seats than the Tories |first=George |last=Eaton |date=27 February 2015 |journal=New Statesman |access-date=13 May 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150519045722/http://www.newstatesman.com/politics/2015/02/exclusive-tim-farron-lib-dems-will-have-back-labour-if-they-win-more-seats-tories |archive-date=19 May 2015 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }} In a September 2016 interview, he identified the Liberal Democrats under his leadership as being centre-left.{{cite news |url=http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/liberal-democrat-leader-tim-farron-11864502 |title=Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron explains how his party will bounce back in the West Midlands |date=10 September 2016 |first=Jonathan |last=Walker |newspaper=Birmingham Mail |access-date=11 September 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160911173540/http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/liberal-democrat-leader-tim-farron-11864502 |archive-date=11 September 2016 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}
= Policy as Liberal Democrat leader =
In August 2015, Farron identified seven campaigning priorities for the Liberal Democrats. These were rural affairs, the EU referendum, mental health, immigration, civil liberties, the green economy, and housing.{{cite news |url=https://www.politicshome.com/party-politics/articles/story/tim-farron-unveils-lib-dem-campaigning-priorities |title=Tim Farron unveils Lib Dem campaigning priorities |first=Josh |last=May |website=Politics Home |date=7 August 2015 |access-date=16 August 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150822191845/https://www.politicshome.com/party-politics/articles/story/tim-farron-unveils-lib-dem-campaigning-priorities |archive-date=22 August 2015 |url-status=live }}
= Welfare =
Farron was one of only two Liberal Democrat MPs to vote against the under-occupancy penalty (also known as the bedroom tax) in 2012.
= Education =
In December 2010, he voted against increasing the cap on undergraduate university tuition fees from £3,000 to £9,000.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-11964669 |title=Tuition fees: How Liberal Democrat MPs voted |date=9 December 2010 |website=BBC News |access-date=11 May 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150504012240/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-11964669 |archive-date=4 May 2015 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }} Referring to Nick Clegg's earlier pledge not to raise fees—and the previous long-standing Liberal Democrat policy of abolishing them—he said: "Integrity is important. You must not only keep your word but be seen to keep your word. You can say no."{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2015/mar/14/tory-coalition-tarnish-lib-dems-generation-tim-farron |title=Tory coalition will tarnish Lib Dems for a generation, Tim Farron warns |date=14 March 2015 |newspaper=The Guardian |access-date=9 May 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518084330/http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2015/mar/14/tory-coalition-tarnish-lib-dems-generation-tim-farron |archive-date=18 May 2015 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}
= Migration =
He was the first senior British politician to back the EU proposal for a quota to take in refugees during the Mediterranean crisis. He called for the UK to accept up to 60,000 non-EU refugees to help with the influx. He attended the Refugee solidarity march in London in September 2015 and gave the opening speech. In the 2016 Liberal Democrat Spring Conference, Farron accused the government of cowardice and heartlessness over their current refugee policy.{{cite web |author=Liberal Democrats |title=Spring Conference York – Sunday |date=13 March 2016 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QcvR_tHa5HQ |website=YouTube |access-date=14 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190116224736/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QcvR_tHa5HQ |archive-date=16 January 2019 |url-status=live }}
= Representation of women and minorities =
Farron said in June 2015 that Lib Dem members of parliament were "too male and too pale", so at least half of the party's target seats would be given women candidates and 10 per cent would have black, Asian, and minority ethnic (BAME) candidates.{{Cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2015/jun/05/tim-farron-echoes-clegg-lib-dems-too-male-too-pale |title=Tim Farron echoes Nick Clegg by saying Lib Dems 'too male and too pale' |last=Perraudin |first=Frances |date=2015-06-05 |website=The Guardian |language=en-GB |access-date=2019-01-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202112959/https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2015/jun/05/tim-farron-echoes-clegg-lib-dems-too-male-too-pale |archive-date=2 February 2017 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}
Farron's appointment of party spokespeople was applauded for its diversity, with twelve women and ten men given such positions. Women also took high-ranking roles, such as the defence and economics portfolios.{{cite web |url=http://www.libdems.org.uk/new-lib-dem-spokespeople-announced |title=New Lib Dem spokespeople announced |first=Bess |last=Mayhew |date=29 July 2015 |website=Liberal Democrats |access-date=8 December 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151130052631/http://www.libdems.org.uk/new-lib-dem-spokespeople-announced |archive-date=30 November 2015 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}
= LGBT rights =
In 2007, he voted against the Equality Act (Sexual Orientation) Regulations, which for the first time imposed a general restriction on businesses discriminating against people on the grounds of sexual orientation.{{cite Hansard |house=House of Commons |title=Equality Act (Sexual Orientation) Regulations 2007 |url=https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200607/cmhansrd/cm070319/debtext/70319-0014.htm |date=19 March 2007 |column=647 |access-date=16 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180105233728/https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200607/cmhansrd/cm070319/debtext/70319-0014.htm |archive-date=5 January 2018 |url-status=live }} In May 2015, regarding a court ruling which found that a Belfast bakery had acted unlawfully in refusing to carry out an order for a cake in support of gay marriage, Farron said that "it's a shame it ended up in court" and "it's important that you stand up for people's rights to have their conscience," but "if you’re providing a service, that’s the key thing – you need to do so without prejudice, without discrimination against those who come through your door."{{cite news |url=http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2015/05/22/bbc-question-time-panel-criticises-gay-cake-row-bakery/ |title=BBC Question Time panel criticises 'gay cake' row bakery |website=PinkNews |date=22 May 2015 |access-date=21 July 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150723031733/http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2015/05/22/bbc-question-time-panel-criticises-gay-cake-row-bakery/ |archive-date=23 July 2015 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}
He voted in favour of allowing marriage between two people of same sex at the second reading of the 2013 Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill, but he voted not to timetable the debate on the Bill, which would have made it much more difficult to pass had the House of Commons agreed with his position,{{cite Hansard |house=House of Commons |title=Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill |url=https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201213/cmhansrd/cm130205/debtext/130205-0004.htm#13020569000004 |date=5 February 2013 |column=231 |access-date=16 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141115021159/http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201213/cmhansrd/cm130205/debtext/130205-0004.htm#13020569000004#13020569000004 |archive-date=15 November 2014 |url-status=live }} over concerns of the impact the "spousal veto" could have on trans people.{{Cite web|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/jennie-rigg/tim-farron-lgbt-record_b_16095906.html|title=An Open Letter On The Subject Of Tim Farron's 'Homophobia'|website=The Huffington Post|language=en-GB|access-date=2017-04-23|date=2017-04-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170424060041/http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/jennie-rigg/tim-farron-lgbt-record_b_16095906.html|archive-date=24 April 2017|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}} He was absent for the vote for gay marriage on the third reading of the Bill.{{cite Hansard |house=House of Commons |title=Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill, Third Reading due to continued concerns about the spousal veto |url=https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201314/cmhansrd/cm130521/debtext/130521-0004.htm |date=21 May 2013 |column=1152 |access-date=16 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170819135908/https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201314/cmhansrd/cm130521/debtext/130521-0004.htm |archive-date=19 August 2017 |url-status=live }}
In 2014, he voted in favour of extending the right to same sex marriage to Armed Forces personnel outside the United Kingdom.{{cite web |url=http://www.publicwhip.org.uk/mp.php?mpn=Tim_Farron&mpc=Westmorland_and_Lonsdale&house=commons&dmp=6686 |title=Tim Farron MP, Westmorland and Lonsdale |website=The Public Whip |access-date=21 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924105618/http://www.publicwhip.org.uk/mp.php?mpn=Tim_Farron&mpc=Westmorland_and_Lonsdale&house=commons&dmp=6686 |archive-date=24 September 2015 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }} He held a 90.4% rating on the issue of same sex marriage in September 2015, and 83.9% in February 2023, according to the website Public Whip.
During an interview in 2015 with Cathy Newman for Channel 4 News, following his election as leader, Farron avoided a question from Newman on his personal beliefs regarding gay sex, saying that his "views on personal morality [did not] matter", adding that to "understand Christianity is to understand that we are all sinners".{{cite news|last1=Wintour|first1=Patrick|title=Tim Farron avoids saying whether he considers gay sex as a sin|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2015/jul/18/tim-farron-avoids-saying-whether-he-sees-gay-sex-as-a-sin|access-date=27 June 2016|newspaper=The Guardian|date=18 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160511130518/http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2015/jul/18/tim-farron-avoids-saying-whether-he-sees-gay-sex-as-a-sin|archive-date=11 May 2016|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}} In the build-up to the 2017 General Election he repeated similar lines in another Channel 4 News television interview, before Nigel Evans asked him in Parliament whether he thought being gay was a sin, to which he replied, "I do not" and said that he was "very proud" to have supported his party's efforts to introduce gay marriage.{{cite news|last1=Sharman|first1=John|title=Tim Farron: I do not think being gay is a sin|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/tim-farron-gay-people-sin-denial-lib-dems-election-campaign-a7692091.html|access-date=21 April 2017|newspaper=Independent|date=20 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170420044052/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/tim-farron-gay-people-sin-denial-lib-dems-election-campaign-a7692091.html|archive-date=20 April 2017|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}} Later, in a BBC interview, he further stated that he did not believe "gay sex" was a sin.{{cite news|last1=Garnier|first1=Eleanor|title='I don't think gay sex is a sin' says Tim Farron - BBC News - YouTube|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_40fbYBbJA|website=YouTube|date=25 April 2017|access-date=23 Feb 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170926222833/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_40fbYBbJA|archive-date=26 September 2017|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}} Despite this, Lord Paddick resigned from his post as home affairs spokesperson in June 2017 "over concerns about the leader's views on various issues".{{cite news |last1=Elgot |first1=Jessica |title=Lib Dem peer resigns over Farron's views on homosexuality |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2017/jun/14/lib-dem-peer-brian-paddick-resigns-over-farrons-views-on-gay-sex |access-date=3 October 2018 |work=The Guardian |date=14 June 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181020180642/https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2017/jun/14/lib-dem-peer-brian-paddick-resigns-over-farrons-views-on-gay-sex |archive-date=20 October 2018 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }} In 2018, Farron expressed regret over his previous assertions that he did not consider homosexual sex to be sinful, saying he felt under pressure from his party which led him to "foolishly and wrongly" make a statement "that was not right".{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2018/jan/10/tim-farron-regrets-saying-gay-sex-not-sin|title=Tim Farron says he regrets saying gay sex is not a sin|last=Mason|first=Rowena|date=10 January 2018|work=The Guardian|access-date=10 January 2018|language=en-GB|issn=0261-3077|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180110163945/https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2018/jan/10/tim-farron-regrets-saying-gay-sex-not-sin|archive-date=10 January 2018|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}
Farron's handling of questions regarding LGBT rights and the sinfulness of homosexuality have been heavily criticised by LGBT+ Liberal Democrats,{{cite news |last1=Mason |first1=Chris |title=Tim Farron's religious convictions leave some Lib Dems fretting |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-33580567 |access-date=3 October 2018 |work=BBC News |date=18 July 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181108095417/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-33580567 |archive-date=8 November 2018 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}{{cite news |last1=Braidwood |first1=Ella |title=Lib Dems mock Tim Farron's views on gay sex in singalong |url=https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2018/09/18/lib-dem-conference-tim-farron-glee-club/ |access-date=3 October 2018 |work=PinkNews |date=18 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181003061941/https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2018/09/18/lib-dem-conference-tim-farron-glee-club/ |archive-date=3 October 2018 |url-status=live }} as has his continued association with anti-gay evangelical groups, which has been seen as a "lack of care" to the LGBT community.{{cite news |last1=Duffy |first1=Nick |title=Tim Farron faces Lib Dem anger over event criticising 'gay lobby' |url=https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2018/05/10/tim-farron-set-to-attend-event-criticising-gay-lobby/ |access-date=3 October 2018 |work=PinkNews |date=10 May 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181003061929/https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2018/05/10/tim-farron-set-to-attend-event-criticising-gay-lobby/ |archive-date=3 October 2018 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }} Former head of the LGBT+ Liberal Democrats, Chris Cooke, made unsubstantiated complaints to the party about Farron's personal conduct when "drunk", and admitted that he "made up a story to cause trouble" following his suspension over Twitter comments directed at Conservative MP Anna Soubry.{{cite news |last1=Mortimer |first1=Caroline |title=Tim Farron subject of false allegations by former Lib Dem LGBT activist |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/tim-farron-resigns-liberal-democrat-gay-rights-lgbt-chris-cooke-tension-lord-paddick-a7796321.html |access-date=3 October 2018 |work=The Independent |date=18 June 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181003222457/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/tim-farron-resigns-liberal-democrat-gay-rights-lgbt-chris-cooke-tension-lord-paddick-a7796321.html |archive-date=3 October 2018 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}
= European Union =
Despite describing himself as "a bit of a Eurosceptic",{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-39761746|title=Farron says he is 'bit of a Eurosceptic'|date=30 April 2017|access-date=4 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181004231415/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-39761746|archive-date=4 October 2018|url-status=live|df=dmy-all|work=BBC News}} Farron strongly supported Britain's membership of the European Union,{{cite web |url=https://www.politicshome.com/party-politics-foreign-and-defence/articles/story/tim-farron-challenges-pathetic-corbyn-and-cameron |title=Tim Farron challenges 'pathetic' Corbyn and Cameron on EU stance |first=Josh |last=May |date=13 October 2015 |website=Politics Home |access-date=16 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160314233908/https://www.politicshome.com/party-politics-foreign-and-defence/articles/story/tim-farron-challenges-pathetic-corbyn-and-cameron |archive-date=14 March 2016 |url-status=live }} but criticised David Cameron's renegotiation as "about appealing to careerist Tory MPs, who were selected by Europhobic party members, to persuade them to vote to remain".{{cite web |url=http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2016/02/27/tim-farron-staying-in-the-european-union-no-brainer_n_9333706.html |title=Tim Farron Really Thinks The UK Should Stay In The EU |date=27 February 2016 |first=Kathryn |last=Snowdon |website=The Huffington Post UK |access-date=14 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160314223639/http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2016/02/27/tim-farron-staying-in-the-european-union-no-brainer_n_9333706.html |archive-date=14 March 2016 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}
In June 2016, Farron stated following the United Kingdom European Union membership referendum in which 51.89% of the voters voted to leave the EU that if the Liberal Democrats were elected in the next parliamentary election, they would not follow through with triggering Article 50 of the Treaty on European Union and leaving the EU but would instead keep the UK in the European Union.{{cite news|last1=Stone|first1=Jon|title=Liberal Democrats pledge to ignore referendum result and keep Britain in the EU|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/brexit-eu-referendum-result-lib-dems-remain-liberal-democrats-live-policy-stay-leave-a7103186.html|access-date=27 June 2016|newspaper=The Independent|date=25 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160626233607/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/brexit-eu-referendum-result-lib-dems-remain-liberal-democrats-live-policy-stay-leave-a7103186.html|archive-date=26 June 2016|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}
In 2017, Farron spoke out against the government's proposed plan to return to the traditional blue British passport. He criticised the move publicly as part of "ever increasing list of the cost of Brexit" and held the position that the plan was "a completely superficial expenditure which could have been spent on our hospitals and our schools."{{cite news |url=http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/15198784.UK_passports_could_resort_to_traditional_blue_colour_post_Brexit_as_redesign_due_in_2019/ |title=UK passports could resort to traditional blue colour post Brexit as redesign due in 2019 |newspaper=Sunday Herald |date=2 April 2017 |access-date=4 April 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170403194708/http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/15198784.UK_passports_could_resort_to_traditional_blue_colour_post_Brexit_as_redesign_due_in_2019/ |archive-date=3 April 2017 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}
= Saudi Arabia =
Farron has criticised Britain's close ties with Saudi Arabia. In 2015 he said: "It is time to shine a light onto the shady corners of our relationship with Saudi Arabia. It is time we stood up for civil liberties, human rights and not turn a blind eye because the House of Saud are our 'allies'."{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/uk-government-attempting-to-keep-details-of-secret-security-pact-with-saudi-arabia-hidden-from-a6783376.html |title=UK Government attempting to keep details of secret security pact with Saudi Arabia hidden from public |first=Oliver |last=Wright |newspaper=The Independent |date=22 December 2015 |access-date=16 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170918160648/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/uk-government-attempting-to-keep-details-of-secret-security-pact-with-saudi-arabia-hidden-from-a6783376.html |archive-date=18 September 2017 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}
= Cannabis regulation =
He supports the complete legalisation of marijuana for both medical and recreational purpose, saying in 2016: "I personally believe the war on drugs is over. We must move from making this a legal issue to one of health."{{cite news |last=Watt |first=Nicholas |title=Tim Farron calls for legalisation of cannabis for recreational use |newspaper=The Guardian |date=11 February 2016 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/society/2016/feb/11/tim-farron-legalisation-cannabis-recreational-use |access-date=19 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160317151511/http://www.theguardian.com/society/2016/feb/11/tim-farron-legalisation-cannabis-recreational-use |archive-date=17 March 2016 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}
Personal life
Farron is a lifelong non-conformist Protestant and says that "becoming a Christian at the age of eighteen [was] the most massive choice I have made."{{cite web |url=http://www.christiantoday.com/article/could.tim.farron.finally.quash.the.myth.that.christianity.and.liberalism.dont.mix/54016.htm |website=Christian Today |date=15 May 2015 |access-date=15 September 2015 |first=Johnny |last=Monro |title=Could Tim Farron finally quash the myth that Christianity and Liberalism don't mix? |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150909194518/http://www.christiantoday.com/article/could.tim.farron.finally.quash.the.myth.that.christianity.and.liberalism.dont.mix/54016.htm |archive-date=9 September 2015 |url-status=live }} He is a vegetarian,{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/timfarron/status/645734582810189824?lang=en|title=Tim Farron on Twitter|access-date=22 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170422225749/https://twitter.com/timfarron/status/645734582810189824?lang=en|archive-date=22 April 2017|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/liberaldemocrats/11741946/24-things-you-didnt-know-about-Tim-Farron.html|title=24 things you didn't know about Tim Farron|access-date=5 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180512091730/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/liberaldemocrats/11741946/24-things-you-didnt-know-about-Tim-Farron.html|archive-date=12 May 2018|url-status=live|df=dmy-all|date=16 July 2015|last1=Leet|first1=Dillon}} and a lifelong fan of Blackburn Rovers.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/election-2017-40282632|title=The Tim Farron story|first=Brian|last=Wheeler|date=14 June 2017|work=BBC News}} He married his wife Rosie in 1999.https://twitter.com/timfarron/status/1739041459657912365 {{Bare URL inline|date=August 2024}} In January 2018 he won an edition of Celebrity Mastermind, with Blackburn Rovers as his specialist subject.{{cite web |title=Tim Farron wins £3,000 for Kendal charity with Celebrity Mastermind win |url=https://www.thewestmorlandgazette.co.uk/news/15796355.tim-farron-wins-3000-for-kendal-charity-with-celebrity-mastermind-win/ |website=The Westmorland Gazette |date=4 January 2018 |access-date=16 January 2019 |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190116224736/https://www.thewestmorlandgazette.co.uk/news/15796355.tim-farron-wins-3000-for-kendal-charity-with-celebrity-mastermind-win/ |archive-date=16 January 2019 |url-status=live }}
In 2019 he published an autobiography A Better Ambition: Confessions of a Faithful Liberal describing his life as a Christian and a Liberal.{{cite news |last1=Chandler |first1=Mark |title=SPCK to publish 'gripping' Tim Farron memoir on politics and faith |url=https://www.thebookseller.com/news/spck-bags-gripping-farron-memoir-politics-and-faith-1027791 |access-date=1 September 2019 |work=The Bookseller |date=2 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190901090919/https://www.thebookseller.com/news/spck-bags-gripping-farron-memoir-politics-and-faith-1027791 |archive-date=1 September 2019 |url-status=live }}
Farron completed the 2021 London Marathon in a time of 4 h 44 min 44 s,{{cite web |title=Participant details: Tim Farron |url=https://results.virginmoneylondonmarathon.com/2021/?content=detail&fpid=list&pid=list&idp=T8C2O3HQ320F65&lang=EN_CAP&event=MAS&page=70&search%5Bsex%5D=M&search%5Bage_class%5D=50&search_event=MAS |website=Virgin Money London Marathon 2021 |access-date=4 October 2021}} raising funds for the Brathay Trust.{{cite web |last1= |first1= |title=Tim Farron to tackle the London Marathon and fundraise for our Kendal Youth Project |url=https://www.brathay.org.uk/news/tim-farron-to-tackle-the-london-marathon |website=Brathay Trust |access-date=4 October 2021 |language=en |date=4 October 2021}}
Selected publications
- {{cite book|last=Farron| first=Tim| title=A Better Ambition: Confessions of a Faithful Liberal | date= 2019 | isbn=978-0281083589 | publisher=SPCK}}
References
{{reflist|30em}}
Further reading
- {{cite web|url=http://www.libdems.org.uk/mps_detail.aspx?name=Tim_Farron_MP&pPK=457a7c9a-0b3e-498e-b050-ecbc86aaed70|title=Tim Farron MP – MP for Westmorland and Lonsdale, Party President|website=The Liberal Democrats|date=13 November 2010|access-date=18 September 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131215033504/http://www.libdems.org.uk/mps_detail.aspx?name=Tim_Farron_MP&pPK=457a7c9a-0b3e-498e-b050-ecbc86aaed70|archive-date=15 December 2013|df=dmy-all}}
External links
{{wikiquote}}
{{Commons category|Tim Farron}}
- {{official website|http://www.timfarron.co.uk}}
- {{cite web |title=Tim Farron |url=https://www.libdems.org.uk/tim-farron |website=Liberal Democrats }}
- {{UK MP links|parliament=tim-farron/1591|hansard=mr-tim-farron|hansardcurr=4774|guardian=1667/tim-farron|publicwhip=Tim_Farron|theywork=tim_farron|record=Tim-Farron/Westmorland-and-Lonsdale/1088|bbc=31716.stm|journalisted=tim-farron}}
- {{C-SPAN|1018490}}
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20150713045746/http://www.tim2lead.com/ Tim Farron for Leader (archived on 13 July 2015)], official 2015 party leadership campaign
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20131215033504/http://www.libdems.org.uk/mps_detail.aspx?name=Tim_Farron_MP&pPK=457a7c9a-0b3e-498e-b050-ecbc86aaed70 Profile (archived December 2013)] at the Liberal Democrats
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Category:Alumni of Newcastle University
Category:Members of Lancashire County Council
Category:Leaders of the Liberal Democrats (UK)
Category:Liberal Democrats (UK) councillors
Category:Liberal Democrats (UK) MPs for English constituencies
Category:People from Milnthorpe