My name is Karen Bruce and I am the first Labour councillor to be elected in Rothwell in the 21st century when I won the seat off the Liberal Democrats in May 2011.

I am seeking selection as Labour’s candidate for Elmet and Rothwell in the 2015 general election. When the selection process officially starts I’ll update this biography with more information.

I’ve lived in Elmet and Rothwell constituency for more than 20 years, first in Methley, then Swillington and since 2002 in Carlton, Rothwell. I live with my husband Stuart (who is also a long-standing Labour  Party member and former councillor) and our five year old daughter attends the local school. We’ve also got a cat and a black Labrador dog.

I was born in Wakefield and my granddad was a miner at Sharlston Colliery and my other granddad worked on the railways. My dad worked on a farm as a young man and later worked in engineering at Spencer Wire Works.

I started my working life in the public sector and worked for West Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive for 14 years in a variety of different roles. After that I helped run my own business which worked with various private and public sector clients and also organised conferences for the public sector. As a councillor I’ve held a variety of roles and am currently chair of the Outer South Area Committee.

As well as all my work locally within the ward helping local community groups and people I also sit on several council committees. I’m a member of the Scrutiny Board (Health and Well-being and Adult Social Care), the Licensing Committee, South (Outer) Area Committee and the ALMO Aire Valley Homes (formerly known as South/South East Leeds Homes).