ISN'T POLITICS JUST FOR WEIRDOS? DID NEW GREAT GRIMSBY MP REALLY SAY THAT?

Onwards and upwards - Grimsby's new MP points to the sky

GREAT Grimsby's new Conservative  MP Lia Nici is a bit of a mystery package.

Originally from Cleethorpes, she has lived most of her life in the Grimsby area and she now lives in Laceby with her teacher-husband, Dave Townend, and their one son.

She loves cats, so there may also be a feline in the household.

When approached by Cleethorpes MP Martin Vickers about stepping into the world of politics, she is famously said to have replied: "Aren't there only weirdos in politics?"

It won't just be at Westminster where she discovers if her theory is correct.

As well as being an MP, she is already a member of North East Lincolnshire Council and has important roles as chair of its economy scrutiny panel and deputy chair of its children and lifelong learning scrutiny panel. 

Her term of NELC office - she is one of three Conservative representatives for the Scartho ward - is not due to end until 2022, but, following her election to Westminster, she may choose to step down which would trigger a by-election.

Away from politics, much of Ms Nici's  career has been spent in education, specifically 20 years as a college lecturer, most recently in the Media Studies department at Grimsby Institute.

This experience provided a stepping stone for her to join the local TV channel, Estuary, as an executive producer.

The channel started life as a cable service in 1997 and became the first of the Government's planned network of almost 50 local services to launch on Freeview some six years ago.

However, the channel - which sought to serve both sides of the Humber - never realised its potential and ceased broadcasting.

She then went freelance, describing herself as a self-employed video producer and project manager.

Among recent credits is her involvement with Wild Humber - a recently-released video about the birds and other wildlife in the Humber Estuary. It can be viewed on YouTube.

However, now that she is an MP, most of Ms Nici's  future TV involvement will  probably come in front of the camera, particularly on regional programmes such as BBC Look North.

She has started her parliamentary career well. In various interviews, she has flown the flag vigorously for Grimsby and its post-Brexit prospects.

Ms Nici has always been a great believer that individuals should try to put something back into the communities to which they belong - that's a good philosophy for any parliamentarian.

How effective she will prove as an MP only time will tell.

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