10 Facts About Barbara Janke

Barbara Lilian Janke, Baroness Janke was born on 5 June 1947 and is a British former teacher and politician.

Barbara Janke was the Liberal Democrat leader of Bristol City Council from 2005 to 2007 and from 2009 to 2012.

Barbara Janke was first elected councillor for Clifton ward in 1995.

Barbara Janke became leader of the Liberal Democrat group in 1997, with a break from 2007 to 2008.

Barbara Janke first became active in politics while in Scotland, before becoming a councillor and then deputy Leader in Kingston upon Thames Council in the early '90s.

Barbara Janke stood unsuccessfully as the Liberal Democrat candidate for the Surbiton Constituency at the 1992 General Election, losing to the Conservative Party candidate Richard Tracey.

Barbara Janke succeeded Stephen Williams as leader of the Liberal Democrat group in 1997.

Barbara Janke became the first non-Labour leader of Bristol City Council for many decades after the 2003 elections when she led an all-party administration after the Council went into no overall control.

Barbara Janke stood down as leader in May 2012 as she approached her 65th birthday, but remained a member of the council.

On 24 September 2014 Barbara Janke was created a life peeress taking the title Baroness Barbara Janke, of Clifton in the City and County of Bristol.