Joe Harris (politician)

Joe Harris (born 1993) is a British Liberal Democrat politician. He is a Councillor on Cotswold District Council and Cirencester Town Council representing Cirencester Park Ward. When elected in 2011 he became the youngest councillor in the United Kingdom at the age of 18.

Biography
Harris was born in Cheltenham on 5 February 1993. He grew up in Cirencester and attended Powell's Church of England Primary School and later moved on to secondary education at Cirencester Deer Park School. Harris went to sixth form college at Cirencester College.

During secondary school Harris became involved in the Cirencester Cyber Cafe youth club, later becoming a young leader.

In 2009, 2010, and 2011 he presented shows on Corinium Radio, a local community radio station.

Harris was reported as clearing pavements of snow when local councils were debating who was responsible for carrying out the task

Cotswold District Council
Harris was elected to Cotswold District Council in May 2011. Harris symbolised the buck in the trend in the Cotswolds, while many of his party colleagues lost their seats across England, the Liberal Democrats in the Cotswolds gained 7 seats taking their total number up to 12, making it the biggest Lib Dem gain in the 2011 local elections. In March 2012, he was made Shadow Cabinet Member for Housing and Communities on Cotswold District Council.

Cirencester Town Council
As well as being elected to the District Council in May 2011, Harris also gained a seat on Cirencester Town Council. After just 12 months, Harris became the Deputy Mayor of Cirencester before becoming the Mayor of Cirencester in May 2013. Upon his election he became the youngest Mayor in the United Kingdom.

Gloucestershire County Council
Joe Harris achieved a landslide victory in the Gloucestershire County Council elections in May 2013, gaining the Cirencester Park Division seat from the Conservatives. He polled over 55% of the vote, the best Liberal Democrat result in Gloucestershire.