Andrew Lansley CBE, our MP until May this year, has been given a life peerage.

"I'm really honoured and looking forward to playing a new and different part in public life," he said.

"I'm intending to build a new career out of politics, but I hope my experience from over 35 years at Westminster will enable me to offer advice and input with the Lords as a meaningful platform – I hope, too, that will be something of help to Cambridgeshire."  He lives in Orwell with Sally and their two children.

In the coalition government, Andrew was Leader of House of Commons and before that Secretary of State for Health, carrying on from being the Conservative spokesman on health for seven years when they were in Opposition, which led up to a major review and changes to health care in the UK when he was in office.

Naturally, the Association, with which Andrew became a key part from his selection as our MP in September 1995 – he won 'our' South Cambridgeshire seat in 1997 – is delighted his hard work in office has been deservedly recognised.

"I am pleased that Andrew has been given a life peerage as I think he will be a peer who will contribute in the Lords," says Dorothy Calder MBE, President of the Association and its chairman when Andrew was selected.

"As soon as he was selected, he spent all his spare time and really worked very hard in the Constituency.  He was always available to be at events and meetings and quickly became a very popular candidate and then MP.

"Andrew has always been a very loyal person and was helpful when we were steering the Association through the problems associated with being in Opposition for so long after 1997.  His elevation is well-deserved and he is of the calibre we need in the Lords," Dorothy added.

Heidi Allen took over the constituency from Andrew as our MP.