[1][2] In 1969 Westh received a degree in land inspection from the Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University.
[3] Following graduation Westh worked as an assistant land surveyor in a town planning company in Viborg from 1972 to 1981.
[3] Westh was first elected to the Danish Parliament for the Social Democrats representing Viborg County on 15 February 1977.
[4] Westh's successor as minister of fisheries was Henrik Dam Kristensen who was appointed to the post in September 1994.
[3] Westh also ran for the office in the local elections for the Social Democrats in 2017, but he did not win the seat.