Merlene Toh Emerson has been awarded an M.B.E. in the Queen’s 90^th birthday honours list for “political and public service”.

Merlene was the Liberal Democrat Candidate for the London Assembly, West Central Constituency in 2008 and was third on our London list this year. She was also Parliamentary Candidate for Hammersmith in May 2010. A City solicitor turned mediator, Merlene is a Freeman of the Worshipful Company of the World Traders livery company and has been on a number of official visits to China, Hongkong and Central Asia as a British Chinese politician. She is on the executive of Liberal International British Group and serves on the Liberal Democrat International Relations Committee.

Merlene said: “As a child of the British Empire I am delighted to be honoured in this special year, on the occasion of Her Majesty’s 90^th birthday. There are of course many others who are unsung heroes and heroines.  I would like to accept the award on their behalf as I strive to continue to give the Chinese and SE Asian communities a voice in this country.”