About Matt

Matt Palmer

Matt has represented Bradford residents since 2004 as a member of Bradford Council, charing several key Council Committees.

He is also a Governor of Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, and has made a national contribution to the NHS through the Foundation Trust Governors Association.

He is a former school governor, a father, and a committed campaigner for Bradford District and Wharfedale.

Matt Palmer stood as the Conservative Parliamentary Candidate for Bradford South in the 2010 General Election, reducing the Labour majorty by half.

The constituency is one of five in Bradford District, and covers the council wards of Queensbury, Great Horton, Tong, Wyke, Wibsey and Royds. As a member of Council, Matt is still committed to addressing the issues faced by local residents across the whole district.

Matt went to school locally and has lived in the district for most of his life, with short periods in Reading, Berkshire and in Haarlem, the Netherlands. He lives in the district with his wife Mariya and son David.

Campaigning on local issues

Matt is an experienced campaigner on local issues, having led a number of campaigns, including to keep Adult Education courses available after cuts in government funding, and to resolve a financial crisis at a local Hospital Trust that threatened healthcare provision.

As a local councillor, he has focussed on campaigning for local services – for example retaining access to a recycling centre and improving road safety, and on supporting local residents – for example in fighting for Burley’s new village green and against new housing development in Menston. Matt has also focussed on delivering value for money for local residents and keeping council tax low by scrutinising council spending.

Matt is also a Parish Councillor, having stood for Burley Parish Council during it’s formation in 2006.

In 2007, Matt brought Conservative Party Leader David Cameron to the City, along with shadow ministers, to look at the challenges to regenation in Bradford and the acheivements and problems so far, to find ways to speed up regeneration after the election and deliver real change in Bradford.

He has undertaken a number of local campaigns, including improving transport and road safety, to retain adult education provision, and to protect green spaces from development.

Making a difference: Matt cleaning up a park with local volunteers

No stranger to hard work

A qualified accountant and auditor, after working his way through a degree at Leeds Metropolitan Univerisity, Matt joined ‘big 4′ accountancy firm KPMG before moving to work with firm Bentley Jennison in Leeds, where he helped colleges, hospital trusts, and other public bodies across the country to deliver improved services.

In 2003 Matt set up an internet company which he ran for five years based in Bradford city centre and Baildon, focusing on supporting small businesses and making web sites accessible to the disabled. In 2007 he moved to Skipton Building Society, where he now works to ensure that people’s money stays safe in the current difficult economic climate.

Your voice on Bradford Council

Matt would be pleased to hear from local residents about any issues or concerns. Please click here to get in touch.

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