Hon. Saul Goodman

## Hon. Saul M. Goodman MP

Parliamentary Portrait of Saul Goodman, 2015

**Saul Goodman** is a British politician who is currently serving as the Liberal Democrats MP for Norfolk North and has served as the **Leader of the Liberal Democrats** and **Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Education**.

## Political Views

Saul Goodman is regarded as to being on the right of the Liberal Democrats, advocating for an efficient state, personal freedoms and maintaining positive foreign relations.

Saul is Pro-EU, but describes himself as "Pro-Democracy" and would honour the outcomes of any European Referendum. Saul is Pro-NATO, calling it "one of the greatest alliances ever constructed" and has no view on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, regarding it as a matter that is "none of his business".

Socially Saul regards himself as a liberal, stating that "it is none of my business what anyone does, as long as it doesn't break the law". Saul cites his agnostic views as the reason for these beliefs.

Critics have called Saul a "Maverick Libertarian" that seeks to "destroy the welfare state", however Saul denies these accusations. Saul calls for the strengthening of the NHS and Education through making governmental organisations "more efficient" so that the British people can get a better "bang for their buck" (as Saul said in a 2009 BBC Interview).

## Early Life and Career

### Childhood

Born in Glasgow, Scotland, Saul came from a middle-class family of shop-owners. His family moved to the town of Holt two years after his birth and remain there too this day.

Saul enrolled in the local state school, in which he excelled in the humanities (a passion which he would pursue both in his political career and in his professional career). Saul went to attend Durham University studying Law and received his solicitor license in 1984.

### Early Professional Career

In 1985, Goodman began his solo legal-firm 'Saul Goodman & Associates', which he remained at until 2000. He, along with barrister Walter White, expanded this firm into, as it is known today, 'Goodman Fring White', the largest Law Firm in the South-West of England. Whilst there, Goodman also founded his charity 'The Goodman Project', a charity that aims to provide disadvantaged youths with the opportunity to enter the legal profession. He remains on the board of this charity to this day.

In late 2000, Saul decided to leave the firm in order to pursue politics, however he is still a named partner. He donates his salary to 'The Goodman Project' and lives only on his salary as an MP and his wealth earnt in the legal profession.

## Political Career

### 2001 General Election

In the 2001 General Election, Saul was selected as the Liberal Democratic Candidate for Norfolk North. Saul Goodman gained the seat from Conservative incumbent Lord David Prior.

### Liberal Democrat Backbencher (2001-2015)

After his election, Saul sat on Liberal Democrat backbenches for over a decade, becoming a respected figure by members on both sides of the house.

Saul was opposed to the Clegg-Cameron Government and refused to serve in any governmental positions as a protest against the "rabid nature" of the "frankenstine-esque coalition of chaos".

### Liberal Democrat Leadership (2015-2016)

After Nick Clegg's disastrous General Election result, Goodman was chosen to be the next Leader of the Liberal Democrats. Saul stood on a platform of internal reform, efficient government and social liberalism and swept the party.

Goodman has seen small increases to polling, however he believes that there will be a "yellow wave" seen in polling and elections very shortly.

### Resignation

After the death of his wife and brother, Saul decided to step back from frontline politics, instead favouring dedicating his work solely to his constituency and constituents. He stated that he plans to remain as Member of Parliament for Norfolk North.