2007 to concentrate on his appointment as Shadow Minister for Housing. Previously Holmes had been a Spokesman on Disability (2001–2005), Work and Pensions (2002–2005) and Arts and Heritage (2006–2007). In December 2007 he returned to the back benches, being one of only two MPs in the party to lose their shadow cabinet responsibilities in the reshuffle following Nick Clegg's election as Liberal Democrat leader. Holmes hit the headlines in March 2008 when he was the only Liberal Democrat MP to sign an Early Day Motion praising Fidel Castro at the time of his resignation. He was quoted on the BBC as saying "It is true Cuba has political prisoners and no free elections, but it has very good dentistry." Holmes was the Liberal Democrat Shadow Minister for Justice and sat on the Children, Families and Schools Select Committee. Holmes is a founding member of the centre-left Beveridge Group within the Liberal Democrats. He is also an Honorary Associate of the National Secular Society and a Distinguished Supporter of Humanists UK, and was also a vice-chair of the All Party Parliamentary Humanist Group, before his defeat in the 2010 general election. Personal life In 1978 he married Raelene Palmer. His children were born and brought up in Chesterfield. See also Liberal Democrat frontbench team References External links Paul Holmes MP official site Paul Holmes MP profile at the site of Liberal Democrats ePolitix.com – Paul Holmes Guardian Unlimited Politics – Ask Aristotle: Paul Holmes MP TheyWorkForYou.com – Paul Holmes MP The Public Whip – Paul Holmes MP voting record BBC News – Paul Holmes profile 10 February 2005 BBC News – New Lib Dem chairman Interview of Paul Holmes 14 July 2005 1957 births Alumni of the University of York Members of the Parliament of the United Kingdom for constituencies in Derbyshire Liberal Democrats (UK) MPs for English constituencies Living people Politicians from Sheffield People from Chesterfield, Derbyshire UK MPs 2001–2005 UK MPs 2005–2010 Social Democratic Party (UK) politicians Liberal Democrats (UK) councillors