Giles has been a Conservative MEP in the South West since 1994. He has been Leader of the Conservatives in the European Parliament and Chairman of the European Parliament’s Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE) Committee.

He has been co-ordinator for the European Peoples Party – European Democrats (EPP-ED) on the ITRE Committee. A Co-ordinator combines the roles of whip, leader and spokesman. He is Conservative spokesman for Industry, Research and Energy, President of the European Energy Forum and Chairman of the European Parliament Delegation for relations with Australia and New Zealand. After heading the Conservative list for the South West he was selected to represent the South West region for the Conservatives at the June 4th elections.
 

Ashley joined the Party in 1985, inspired by Mrs Thatcher’s determination to change the country and has, since then served the Party at all levels – as Branch Officer, Constituency Chairman and as an Area Officer. In 2001 he stood as the Parliamentary candidate for Bath. In 2002 he was elected as a Bristol City councillor for Westbury-on-Trym, being re-elected four years later doubling his majority. As a Councillor he has chaired the Central Area Planning Committee and the Chilren’s Services Scrutiny Commission. Most importantly, he has enjoyed representing his constituents and helping them overcome the bureaucratic obstacles that the council creates. Ashley lives in Bristol with his family and works in the city as a solicitor. He was elected as a Conservative MEP for the South West at the June elections.

Julie has been actively involved in Conservative politics since University. She was first elected as a Councillor in 1999 and became Leader of Cotswold District Council in 2003. She is currently Lead Cabinet Member on Gloucestershire County Council with special responsibility for flood recovery. Having stood as a Conservative MEP candidate in 2004, Julie was ranked as number 2 on the South West regional candidate list for the June 2009 European elections, where she was elected.

She has had a long professional career in marketing and buying with leading retailers including Boots and Dixons. Julie lives in rural Gloucestershire with her husband and teenage son.