Wera Hobhouse

MP for Bath

Liberal Democrats

Wera Hobhouse is the Liberal Democrat MP for Bath, having first been elected to parliament at the 2017 general election.

In the 2024 general election, Hobhouse won 19,883 votes, representing 41.3% of the vote. The Labour candidate, Dan Bewley, received 8,665 votes (18.0%), while the Conservative candidate, James Wright, secured 7,659 votes (15.9%). Hobhouse was duly elected with a majority of 11,218 votes.

The Bath constituency centres on the historic city in Somerset. It includes the University of Bath. Historically a Conservative-Liberal Democrat marginal, the seat has been held by the Liberal Democrats since 2017. The constituency voted strongly to Remain in the 2016 referendum on Britain’s membership of the European Union (EU). Boundary changes in 2024 added areas north and west of the city.

Hobhouse’s immediate predecessor as the MP for Bath was Ben Howlett, who represented the seat from 2015 to 2017. Chris Patten, former chair of the Conservative Party and governor of Hong Kong, represented the seat from 1979 to 1992.

Political Career

Hobhouse has served on the House of Commons energy security and net zero committee since October 2024. The committee scrutinises the work of the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero.

Hobhouse is also a member of the panel of chairs (since January 2025). The panel of chairs is made up of MPs chosen by the House of Commons speaker, typically at the beginning of every parliament, to chair public bill committees and other commons general committees. In this capacity, Hobhouse also chairs debates in Westminster Hall and may also act as temporary chair during a committee of the whole House.

In February 2020, Hobhouse announced she would be standing for the leadership of the Liberal Democrats. In an article for The House magazine, Hobhouse called for her party to make a “clean break with the last decade”.

She argued that the Lib Dems “shot ourselves in the foot” in the 2019 general election by attacking the Labour Party instead of focusing exclusively on the Conservatives.

She contended that, as a party of the “centre-left”, the Liberal Democrats’ main opponent should always be the Conservatives, and that attacking a fellow progressive party was a strategic error.

She wrote: “The mistake was to see our party in the political centre, standing equally between right and left. In this day and age, the biggest threat to liberalism – not just in Britain – comes from the right.

“Our reasons for entering coalition with the Conservatives in 2010 were well intended, but we ended up undermining our values. We ultimately legitimised the Conservatives’ long-term illiberal, nationalist agenda.”

https://x.com/Wera_Hobhouse/status/1271723010974777345

Hobhouse ran against the concept that the Liberal Democrats should be ideologically and politically “equidistant” between the United Kingdom’s two major political parties.

In an article for Lib Dem Voice, published 13 June, Hobhouse insisted that her party should “let go of the coalition.”

She wrote: “The Liberal Democrats are not halfway between the Conservatives and Labour. We are a progressive, centre-left party, and we must fight for our values and beliefs from there.

“We need a new direction; we must let go of the coalition and aspirations to return. We must get back to our liberal roots, serving our local communities, which is what we have always done best.”

On 23 June, Hobhouse withdrew from the contest and declared she would be backing Layla Moran’s candidacy. Moran, she argued, was “the only candidate who can break with our party’s damaging legacy from the coalition and adopt a centre-left position to defeat the Conservatives at the next election.”

The statement was interpreted as a parting shot at the contest’s frontrunner, and ultimate victor, Sir Ed Davey.

Hobhouse has held a series of Liberal Democrat spokesperson positions, often simultaneously. She was the Lib Dem spokesperson for energy and climate change from July 2022 to September 2024; transport spokesperson in two stints from July 2022 to September 2024, and August 2019 to January 2020; shadow leader of the House of Commons from September 2020 to May 2024; justice spokesperson in two stints from September 2020 to July 2022, and February 2019 to August 2019; women and equalities spokesperson from September 2020 to July 2022, energy spokesperson from January 2020 to September 2020, environment and climate change spokesperson from February 2019 to September 2020, and housing, communities and local government spokesperson from June 2017 to February 2019.

Hobhouse has introduced numerous private members’ bills in her time as an MP, with a focus on women’s rights, public health, and social justice.

The Breast Cancer Screening (Review) Bill, introduced by Hobhouse December 2024, would require a review of the NHS breast screening programme, including considering lowering the starting age for routine invitations from 50.
The Pre-Payment Meters (Temporary Prohibition) Bill, introduced December 2022, sought to temporarily ban the forced installation of pre-payment energy meters to protect vulnerable households from being cut off from power.
The Rape (Conviction Rates) Bill, introduced March 2022, sought to establish an independent review into rape conviction rates in the justice system.
The Hate Crime (Misogyny) Bill, which Hobhouse has introduced twice (November 2021 and March 2020), would make crimes motivated by a hatred of women an aggravated offence, leading to tougher sentences.
The Conversion Therapy (Prohibition) Bill, introduced June 2021, aimed to outlaw the practice of attempting to change a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity.
The Election Candidates (All-ethnic-minority Shortlists) Bill, introduced October 2020, would have amended the Equality Act to permit political parties to use all-ethnic-minority shortlists to improve diversity.
The Vehicle Emissions (Idling Penalties) Bill, introduced June 2019, sought to tackle air pollution by increasing fines for drivers who leave their car engines running while stationary.
The Postnatal Check-ups (Mental Health) Bill, introduced March 2019, would have required the routine six-week check-up for new mothers to include a mandatory mental health assessment.

Hobhouse’s most notable legislative achievement is the Worker Protection (Amendment of Equality Act 2010) Act 2023. This successful bill was introduced in June 2022 and creates a proactive duty for employers to take reasonable steps to prevent sexual harassment in the workplace. It received royal assent in October 2023.

Hobhouse was also able to effect legislative change with her Voyeurism (Offences) Bill, introduced March 2018. The bill sought to specifically outlaw the practice of “upskirting”. After it was initially blocked, a public outcry led to the government adopting the proposal, which became law as the Voyeurism (Offences) Act 2019.

After the act received royal assent, Hobhouse described the development as a “victory for women up and down the country”.

She said: “This is part of enshrining women’s autonomy over their bodies in to law, and means that the police and the courts will find it far easier to charge and prosecute perpetrators.”

Hobhouse’s original bill was infamously blocked by veteran Conservative MP Christopher Chope. Commenting at the time, Chope told the Bournemouth Echo that he did support an upskirting ban and insisted he was not a “dinosaur”. Theresa May, the then-prime minister, ultimately intervened – introducing a government bill to parliament which built on Hobhouse’s proposals.

https://x.com/theresa_may/status/1007710305621807104

In February 2025, Hobhouse was denied entry to Hong Kong while on a personal visit to meet his newborn grandson. Ed Davey, the Lib Dem leader, called on the foreign secretary, David Lammy, to “meet urgently with Hobhouse to discuss her case, and summon the Chinese ambassador to provide a full account of why a British MP and her family have been treated in such an appalling way”.

Hobhouse told the Sunday Times that her passport was confiscated, she was asked about her job and the purpose of her trip, her luggage was searched and swabbed – then she was escorted to the boarding gate by four immigration officers.

Hobhouse is believed to be the first MP refused entry since the 1997 handover of Hong Kong.

Speaking to the BBC, Hobhouse suggested the decision had probably been an attempt “to shut me up”.

She said: “It is very chilling that authoritarian countries can treat us in this way. Until now, I think there had been a diplomatic understanding that we might have different values, different political ideas but there is some sort of basic rule in which we allow politicians into each other’s countries, and that sort of understanding seems to be collapsing.”

Hobhouse was a member of the committee on the future relationship with the European Union from September 2017 to November 2019.

Hobhouse is listed as a member of the all-party parliamentary groups (APPGs) for eating disorders, emergency care, environment, Europe, net zero and renewable and sustainable energy.

Hobhouse delivered her maiden speech on 29 June 2017, during a debate on economy and jobs. In it, she said: “It is testimony to the open-mindedness of the people of Bath that they have elected as their new MP a woman who was not British-born. I feel deeply humbled and very honoured.”

She added: “Whether we like it or not, this parliament will be absorbed by Brexit. Last year nearly 70% of my constituents voted to remain in the EU, and I am here to make sure that their voices are heard on Brexit.

“The Brexit debates have only just started, and I look forward to taking a full part in those debates, and indeed in all the business of the House.”

Before entering parliament, Hobhouse served as a councillor on Rochdale Council from 2004 to 2014, representing the Norden ward. Initially elected as a Conservative, she defected to the Liberal Democrats in 2005 over a local planning dispute involving an asbestos-contaminated site.

She later served as cabinet member for the environment between 2006 until 2009, and then chaired the health scrutiny committee from 2009 until 2010.

Hobhouse previously stood unsuccessfully as the Liberal Democrat candidate for North East Somerset in the 2015 general election, finishing fourth to Conservative incumbent Jacob Rees-Mogg on 4,029 votes (7.9%).

In the 2010 general election, Hobhouse stood unsuccessfully as the Liberal Democrat candidate for Heywood and Middleton. She finished third to Labour and Co-operative Party incumbent Jim Dobbin on 10,474 votes (22.7%).

Political views

Hobhouse is a member of the Green Liberal Democrats, an official environmental group within the Liberal Democrats. It aims to “promote a green approach to policy formation within the Liberal Democrats” and “develop links with the wider green movement.” The grouping, formed in 1977 as a faction within the Liberal Party, is “committed to a net-zero and nature positive future and driving ambition across the national party and in local governance.”

Hobhouse is listed as a member of the all-party parliamentary group (APPG) for fair elections – a cross-party group of MPs and peers that campaigns for electoral reform. The group’s stated aims include replacing the first past the post (FPTP) voting system with a form of proportional representation, eliminating “dark money” and “undemocratic influence” from politics, and countering disinformation.

Brexit and Europe

Brexit referendum: Hobhouse supported the Remain campaign in the 2016 EU referendum, and therefore agreed with a majority of constituents, 68.3% of whom voted to Remain.

Speaking in a 2017 commons debate on Brexit, Hobhouse called for a second referendum or “people’s vote” when the terms of the UK’s withdrawal were agreed with the EU.

She said: “As the months go by and the Government’s legitimacy for implementing their version of Brexit becomes less and less legitimate, obeying the will of the people becomes the last remaining legitimacy, but nobody bothers to find out what the will of the people is now.”

She added: “The government are legislating for a Brexit in the name of the people. Their problem is that they might find themselves pressing ahead without the people’s consent.”

During the 2019 general election, Hobhouse stood on a Lib Dem manifesto that pledged to revoke Article 50 and cancel Brexit.

In February 2020, Hobhouse argued that her party was right to adopt an “unequivocal anti-Brexit stance” at the 2019 election.

Hobhouse’s 2020 article for The House magazine, setting out her leadership pitch, maintained that the Lib Dems should “keep the flame of EU membership alive as a genuine possibility for Britain.”

Customs union vote (2025): In December 2025, Hobhouse voted in favour of the UK-EU Customs Union (Duty to Negotiate) Bill. The bill, introduced under the 10-minute rule procedure by Liberal Democrat Europe spokesperson Al Pinkerton, sought to mandate the government to enter into negotiations with the European Union to establish a bespoke customs union. In total, 13 Labour MPs joined the Liberal Democrats in supporting the motion, while the majority of the party abstained.

Assisted dying

Hobhouse voted in favour of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, better known as the assisted dying bill, at both second reading (November 2024) and third reading (June 2025).

In an October 2024 Left Foot Forward article, Hobhouse set out her position. She argued that “we should not prolong a life in agony and rather, we ought to empower terminally ill people to have autonomy as they near the end of their lives.”

“Personally, this means giving terminally ill people the choice to have a compassionate and dignified death if that is what they desire, though I understand that not everyone shares this perspective.”

Hobhouse wrote: “As a Christian, I embarked on my own journey before confirming my stance on assisted dying, wrestling with and reflecting on what is truly best and compassionate for terminally ill people nearing the end of their lives.”

Speaking in a February 2024 Westminster Hall debate on assisted dying in the previous parliament, Hobhouse called on the government to take a “fresh look” at the debate.

She said: “Legalising assisted dying is so important to allow people suffering in immense pain dignity in dying. I am very proud of the growing campaign in Bath to secure a much-needed change in law.

“I know that this topic is extremely emotive and difficult to discuss, but we must not shy away from the necessary conversation. The first step to enabling terminally ill people to die with strength and dignity is to take a fresh look at this debate in parliament and take seriously the requests of those who are being left with no choice but to suffer against their wishes.”

Social values and conscience issues

Abortion decriminalisation (2025): Hobhouse voted in favour of a backbench amendment to the Crime and Policing Bill that sought to decriminalise abortion in England and Wales in June 2025. The amendment, which was passed by a majority of 242 votes, removed women from the threat of prosecution for ending a pregnancy at any stage. As an issue of conscience, MPs were allowed to vote according to their personal beliefs.

X letter: In November 2025, Hobhouse was one of 34 cross-party MPs and peers who signed a letter to Ofcom demanding an investigation into the social media platform X (formerly Twitter). The letter, led by Joani Reid, chair of the all-party parliamentary group (APPG) on antisemitism, called on the regulator to determine whether the platform was in breach of its legal duties under the Online Safety Act following a reported surge in antisemitic content and calls for violence against Jews on X.

Foreign policy and security

Ceasefire vote (November 2023): Hobhouse voted for a Scottish National Party (SNP) amendment to the king’s speech in the House of Commons calling for an “immediate ceasefire” in the Israel-Hamas war. Labour had tabled a rival motion, making a more moderate appeal for a “humanitarian pause” in the conflict.

IPAC: Hobhouse is a member of the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (IPAC) – an international, cross-party network of legislators from democratic countries focused on relations with the People’s Republic of China. The alliance, established on 4 June 2020, the anniversary of the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests and massacre, was formed to unite “lawmakers worldwide, promoting democracy and addressing threats to the rules-based and human rights systems posed by the rise of China.”

Civil liberties

Covid passes vote (2021): Hobhouse was one of 126 MPs to vote against Covid passes in England in December 2021. The measure, introduced by Boris Johnson’s government, was carried by 369 votes to 126.

Before Politics

Born Wera Benedicta von Reden in Hanover, West Germany on 8 February 1960, she studied history and fine art at the University of Münster and then art at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris, completing a master’s degree in history and fine art at the Free University of Berlin.

She moved to England in 1990 after marrying her husband. She initially lived in Liverpool, where she opened an art gallery, before moving to Rochdale in 1999. She moved to Bath in 2014.

Her professional background is as a teacher, radio journalist, and artist.

Personal Life

Hobhouse married William Hobhouse in 1989. They live in Bath and have two sons and two daughters. She is a German citizen and became a naturalised British citizen in 2007.

She is a Christian.