Joanne Cash
Encyclopedia
Joanne Cash is a media barrister
. She was the unsuccessful Conservative Party
candidate for Westminster North
in the 2010 general election.
, Cash was brought up in Portadown
, County Armagh
. Her mother was a newsagent
, while her father held various jobs, including up to three jobs at once. She has a brother, who is an NHS
doctor, and a sister, a teacher. Cash was educated at Tandragee Primary and Banbridge Academy
: both state schools. She won a scholarship to read English Literature at Oxford University. Cash was Librarian of the Oxford Union
during her time there.
after graduating. She was called to the Bar in 1994 as a member of Gray's Inn
, and became a tenant at Farrars' Building. In 2000, she joined One Brick Court to specialise in libel, privacy and freedom of expression work.
In 2005, Cash successfully represented an innocent man dubbed 'the lotto rapist' in error by the Sunday Mirror
winning her client considerable damages. Cash has spoken out strongly for strengthening freedom of the press
, arguing that the Reynolds defence should be strengthened and that the Sullivan defence (this is a defence in USA, allowing the press to write about public figures) should be introduced to the UK. Cash hosted a debate for Policy Exchange
on libel reform, believing that libel tourism
ought to be curbed.
Cash has represented a number of clients, including Elle Macpherson
and Trudie Styler
.
She was called a 'freedom fighter' in an Observer
article in 2009. For her legal work, the British edition of Vogue
includes Cash as one of the 50 women of the age, alongside the likes of Michelle Obama and the Queen.
, Cash assisted the Shadow Cabinet on legal issues. She also worked with Policy Exchange
the centre-right think tank to formulate policy proposals and to provide input on media issues. She has taken an interest in libel and civil liberties issues and has been a keen advocate of Parliamentary reform in the wake of the MPs expenses saga.
In February 2006, she applied to become a candidate, having witnessed David Cameron
become party leader
two months previously. She was placed on the 'A-list' of candidates. She was selected to fight her local seat, Westminster North
, the first and only seat she had applied for, in November 2006.
In September 2008, Tatler
featured Cash as one of ten top up-and-coming Tories, tipping her as a future Housing Minister. Cash spoke to the magazine about welfare reform, arguing that teenagers need more welfare support for staying in education, not for getting pregnant. Cash was described by The Times
in February 2009 as 'one to watch'. In September 2009, she was profiled in a list of 'rising stars' of the Conservative party
for The Daily Telegraph
, who described her as a "Eurosceptic with a sharp mind".
An article in The Sunday Telegraph in October 2009 reported "Some high-profile women are already installed in winnable seats: Louise Bagshawe, Annunziata Rees-Mogg
, Priti Patel
, Laura Sandys
and Joanne Cash will all make colourful additions to the Tory benches."
In February 2010, Cash tendered her resignation for the job following a dispute with the local party chairwoman Amanda Sayers amidst rumours that the resignation was connected to her pregnancy. Sayers was pressured not to stand for a fourth year of office by a representative of the Conservative Party Central Office, was then instead elected to the post of Association President (an honorary post, chairing the Association General Meeting), but was forced to back down from this position when Cash once again threatened to resign. Cash's resignation, however, was not accepted, and she rescinded it the following evening. She has argued that she receives no special treatment as a result of her friendship with David Cameron, and that she is no closer to David Cameron than any other candidate or MP.
. In an embittered speech Cash blamed a campaign of "media lies" trashing her family.
, the managing director of The Mind Gym. Black had been at Eton
with David Cameron, and in the lead-up to the change of government in 2010, acted as informal advisor. Black had proposed to Cash the previous summer at Terminal 1 of London Heathrow Airport
, and their wedding blessing was attended by a number of nationally-prominent Conservatives, including Michael Gove
, who delivered the main speech. Cash and Black live in Notting Hill
, in the Westminster North constituency. (See Notting Hill Set
for other young Tories.)
Barrister
A barrister is a member of one of the two classes of lawyer found in many common law jurisdictions with split legal professions. Barristers specialise in courtroom advocacy, drafting legal pleadings and giving expert legal opinions...
. She was the unsuccessful Conservative Party
Conservative Party (UK)
The Conservative Party, formally the Conservative and Unionist Party, is a centre-right political party in the United Kingdom that adheres to the philosophies of conservatism and British unionism. It is the largest political party in the UK, and is currently the largest single party in the House...
candidate for Westminster North
Westminster North (UK Parliament constituency)
Westminster North is a UK Parliamentary constituency in Central London and west London, comprising the northern part of the City of Westminster. It existed from 1983 to 1997...
in the 2010 general election.
Early life
Born in Northern IrelandNorthern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
, Cash was brought up in Portadown
Portadown
Portadown is a town in County Armagh, Northern Ireland. The town sits on the River Bann in the north of the county, about 23 miles south-west of Belfast...
, County Armagh
County Armagh
-History:Ancient Armagh was the territory of the Ulaid before the fourth century AD. It was ruled by the Red Branch, whose capital was Emain Macha near Armagh. The site, and subsequently the city, were named after the goddess Macha...
. Her mother was a newsagent
Newsagent
A newsagent's shop , newsagency or newsstand is a business that sells newspapers, magazines, cigarettes, snacks and often items of local interest. In Britain and Australia, these businesses are termed newsagents...
, while her father held various jobs, including up to three jobs at once. She has a brother, who is an NHS
National Health Service
The National Health Service is the shared name of three of the four publicly funded healthcare systems in the United Kingdom. They provide a comprehensive range of health services, the vast majority of which are free at the point of use to residents of the United Kingdom...
doctor, and a sister, a teacher. Cash was educated at Tandragee Primary and Banbridge Academy
Banbridge Academy
Banbridge Academy is a grammar school located in Banbridge, Northern Ireland. The school was founded in 1786.The current Principal is Mr Raymond Pollock OBE, who was previously a Vice Principal at Friends' School, Lisburn. Mr. Pollock was preceded by Mr. Charles Winston Breen , a graduate of...
: both state schools. She won a scholarship to read English Literature at Oxford University. Cash was Librarian of the Oxford Union
Oxford Union
The Oxford Union Society, commonly referred to simply as the Oxford Union, is a debating society in the city of Oxford, Britain, whose membership is drawn primarily but not exclusively from the University of Oxford...
during her time there.
Legal career
Cash qualified as a barristerBarrister
A barrister is a member of one of the two classes of lawyer found in many common law jurisdictions with split legal professions. Barristers specialise in courtroom advocacy, drafting legal pleadings and giving expert legal opinions...
after graduating. She was called to the Bar in 1994 as a member of Gray's Inn
Gray's Inn
The Honourable Society of Gray's Inn, commonly known as Gray's Inn, is one of the four Inns of Court in London. To be called to the Bar and practise as a barrister in England and Wales, an individual must belong to one of these Inns...
, and became a tenant at Farrars' Building. In 2000, she joined One Brick Court to specialise in libel, privacy and freedom of expression work.
In 2005, Cash successfully represented an innocent man dubbed 'the lotto rapist' in error by the Sunday Mirror
Sunday Mirror
The Sunday Mirror is the Sunday sister paper of the Daily Mirror. It began life in 1915 as the Sunday Pictorial and was renamed the Sunday Mirror in 1963. Trinity Mirror also owns The People...
winning her client considerable damages. Cash has spoken out strongly for strengthening freedom of the press
Freedom of the press
Freedom of the press or freedom of the media is the freedom of communication and expression through vehicles including various electronic media and published materials...
, arguing that the Reynolds defence should be strengthened and that the Sullivan defence (this is a defence in USA, allowing the press to write about public figures) should be introduced to the UK. Cash hosted a debate for Policy Exchange
Policy Exchange
Policy Exchange is a British conservative think tank based in London. The Daily Telegraph has described it as "the largest, but also the most influential think tank on the right"...
on libel reform, believing that libel tourism
Libel tourism
Libel tourism is a term first coined by Geoffrey Robertson to describe forum shopping for libel suits. It particularly refers to the practice of pursuing a case in England and Wales, in preference to other jurisdictions, such as the United States, which provide more extensive defences for those...
ought to be curbed.
Cash has represented a number of clients, including Elle Macpherson
Elle Macpherson
Elle Macpherson is an Australian model, actress, and businesswoman nicknamed "The Body". She is perhaps best known for her record five cover appearances for the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue beginning in the 1980s...
and Trudie Styler
Trudie Styler
Trudie Styler is an English actress and producer. She is the second wife of the musician Sting.-Life and career:Styler was born in Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, England. She attended North Bromsgrove High School, where one of her teachers was Clifford T. Ward...
.
She was called a 'freedom fighter' in an Observer
The Observer
The Observer is a British newspaper, published on Sundays. In the same place on the political spectrum as its daily sister paper The Guardian, which acquired it in 1993, it takes a liberal or social democratic line on most issues. It is the world's oldest Sunday newspaper.-Origins:The first issue,...
article in 2009. For her legal work, the British edition of Vogue
Vogue (British magazine)
The British edition of Vogue is a fashion magazine that has been published since 1916.When British Vogue was launched, it was the first overseas edition of an existing fashion magazine. Under the magazine's first editor, Elspeth Champcommunal, the magazine was essentially the same as the American...
includes Cash as one of the 50 women of the age, alongside the likes of Michelle Obama and the Queen.
Conservative candidate
As a member of the Society of Conservative LawyersSociety of Conservative Lawyers
The Society of Conservative Lawyers was founded in 1947 and is an affiliate of the Conservative Party of the United Kingdom. A leading Conservative think tank, the society also provides expert legal advice to the Conservative Front Bench and hosts debates on topical issues...
, Cash assisted the Shadow Cabinet on legal issues. She also worked with Policy Exchange
Policy Exchange
Policy Exchange is a British conservative think tank based in London. The Daily Telegraph has described it as "the largest, but also the most influential think tank on the right"...
the centre-right think tank to formulate policy proposals and to provide input on media issues. She has taken an interest in libel and civil liberties issues and has been a keen advocate of Parliamentary reform in the wake of the MPs expenses saga.
In February 2006, she applied to become a candidate, having witnessed David Cameron
David Cameron
David William Donald Cameron is the current Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, First Lord of the Treasury, Minister for the Civil Service and Leader of the Conservative Party. Cameron represents Witney as its Member of Parliament ....
become party leader
Conservative Party (UK) leadership election, 2005
The 2005 Conservative leadership election was called by party leader Michael Howard on 6 May 2005, when he announced that he would be stepping down as leader in the near future. However, he stated that he would not depart until a review of the rules for the leadership election had been conducted,...
two months previously. She was placed on the 'A-list' of candidates. She was selected to fight her local seat, Westminster North
Westminster North (UK Parliament constituency)
Westminster North is a UK Parliamentary constituency in Central London and west London, comprising the northern part of the City of Westminster. It existed from 1983 to 1997...
, the first and only seat she had applied for, in November 2006.
In September 2008, Tatler
Tatler
Tatler has been the name of several British journals and magazines, each of which has viewed itself as the successor of the original literary and society journal founded by Richard Steele in 1709. The current incarnation, founded in 1901, is a glossy magazine published by Condé Nast Publications...
featured Cash as one of ten top up-and-coming Tories, tipping her as a future Housing Minister. Cash spoke to the magazine about welfare reform, arguing that teenagers need more welfare support for staying in education, not for getting pregnant. Cash was described by The Times
The Times
The Times is a British daily national newspaper, first published in London in 1785 under the title The Daily Universal Register . The Times and its sister paper The Sunday Times are published by Times Newspapers Limited, a subsidiary since 1981 of News International...
in February 2009 as 'one to watch'. In September 2009, she was profiled in a list of 'rising stars' of the Conservative party
Conservative Party (UK)
The Conservative Party, formally the Conservative and Unionist Party, is a centre-right political party in the United Kingdom that adheres to the philosophies of conservatism and British unionism. It is the largest political party in the UK, and is currently the largest single party in the House...
for The Daily Telegraph
The Daily Telegraph
The Daily Telegraph is a daily morning broadsheet newspaper distributed throughout the United Kingdom and internationally. The newspaper was founded by Arthur B...
, who described her as a "Eurosceptic with a sharp mind".
An article in The Sunday Telegraph in October 2009 reported "Some high-profile women are already installed in winnable seats: Louise Bagshawe, Annunziata Rees-Mogg
Annunziata Rees-Mogg
Annunziata Mary Glanville née Rees-Mogg is an English freelance journalist, focusing on finance, economics, and European politics....
, Priti Patel
Priti Patel
Priti Patel is a Conservative Party politician in the United Kingdom. First elected in the 2010 general election, she is the Member of Parliament for the Witham constituency, and an officer of the Conservative Friends of Israel group....
, Laura Sandys
Laura Sandys
Laura Jane Sandys is a British Conservative Party politician. She has been the Member of Parliament for South Thanet since the general election on 6 May 2010.-Early life:...
and Joanne Cash will all make colourful additions to the Tory benches."
In February 2010, Cash tendered her resignation for the job following a dispute with the local party chairwoman Amanda Sayers amidst rumours that the resignation was connected to her pregnancy. Sayers was pressured not to stand for a fourth year of office by a representative of the Conservative Party Central Office, was then instead elected to the post of Association President (an honorary post, chairing the Association General Meeting), but was forced to back down from this position when Cash once again threatened to resign. Cash's resignation, however, was not accepted, and she rescinded it the following evening. She has argued that she receives no special treatment as a result of her friendship with David Cameron, and that she is no closer to David Cameron than any other candidate or MP.
General Election 2010
Cash lost the seat of Westminster North to the incumbent Labour MP Karen BuckKaren Buck
Karen Patricia Buck is a British Labour Party politician, who has been the Member of Parliament for Regent's Park and Kensington North since 1997, and is a former Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department for Transport....
. In an embittered speech Cash blamed a campaign of "media lies" trashing her family.
Personal life
In 2008, Cash married Octavius BlackOctavius Black
Octavius Orlando Irvine Casati Black is the CEO of The Mind Gym. He is close to prime minister David Cameron. Black is married to the libel barrister and Tory candidate Joanne Cash.-Early life:Black was born 2 May 1968 in West London...
, the managing director of The Mind Gym. Black had been at Eton
Eton College
Eton College, often referred to simply as Eton, is a British independent school for boys aged 13 to 18. It was founded in 1440 by King Henry VI as "The King's College of Our Lady of Eton besides Wyndsor"....
with David Cameron, and in the lead-up to the change of government in 2010, acted as informal advisor. Black had proposed to Cash the previous summer at Terminal 1 of London Heathrow Airport
London Heathrow Airport
London Heathrow Airport or Heathrow , in the London Borough of Hillingdon, is the busiest airport in the United Kingdom and the third busiest airport in the world in terms of total passenger traffic, handling more international passengers than any other airport around the globe...
, and their wedding blessing was attended by a number of nationally-prominent Conservatives, including Michael Gove
Michael Gove
Michael Andrew Gove, MP is a British politician, who currently serves as the Secretary of State for Education and as the Conservative Party Member of Parliament for the Surrey Heath constituency. He is also a published author and former journalist.Born in Edinburgh, Gove was raised in Aberdeen...
, who delivered the main speech. Cash and Black live in Notting Hill
Notting Hill
Notting Hill is an area in London, England, close to the north-western corner of Kensington Gardens, in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea...
, in the Westminster North constituency. (See Notting Hill Set
Notting Hill Set
The Notting Hill Set is an informal group of young figures in prominent leadership positions in the Conservative Party, or close advisory positions around the current party leader and Prime Minister, David Cameron....
for other young Tories.)