About William

William Summers was born in West Norfolk and grew up in the coastal village of Brancaster Staithe, where his maternal ancestors have lived for many generations.

After moving to Australia with his family at the age of 12, William returned to Norfolk four years later and attended Smithdon High School in Hunstanton. He then went on to study Business Economics at the University of Leicester.

"Working with Norman Lamb means I know the hard work and dedication that goes into being a successful Norfolk MP."

In 2005 William first became actively involved in politics when he volunteered to help the re-election campaign of Norman Lamb, the Liberal Democrat MP for the neighbouring constituency of North Norfolk. Norman Lamb won the election that year with a majority of over 10,000 votes and the following year William became Norman's parliamentary researcher in Westminster.

William now works for a non-profit housing organisation campaigning for better and more affordable homes across England. With several thousand people currently on the council's housing waiting list in West Norfolk - and with many young people and families in the area still unable to afford a home - housing is understandable one of the key issues in the constituency.

Other priorities for William include making sure people have access to good NHS services - particularly those in more isolated rural areas - and tackling the high crime and anti-social behaviour levels in some parts of the constituency.

With news in late 2009 that the Tory county council want to withdraw funding from older people's day centres in West Norfolk, William has also vowed to urgently fight the closure of these valuable community assets.

"I will not simply stand by and watch whilst our local day centres are shut down forever. I am encouraging anybody who feels as strongly about this as I do to sign my petition and send a loud and clear message to Tory county councillors that we won't stand for it."

William believes Parliament should be more open and accountable, with more power transferred from Ministers in Whitehall to local communities who best know the needs of their area. He has long called for greater transparency of tax-payer funded MPs' expenses.

In his spare time William plays the guitar and supports King's Lynn Football Club - which will hopefully be alive and kicking again sometime in 2010! - and has a nine year old daughter, Hollie.