Member for Paisley South since November 1997 by-election. Political career: Minister of State, Cabinet Office since 2002; Minister for E-commerce and Competitiveness, DTI 2001-02; Parliamentary Researcher for Gordon Brown 1990-91. Special political interests: Constitutional reform, economic policy, employment policy. Profession/Trade: Solicitor. Education: Park Mains High School, Renfrewshire; Lester B College, Vancouver, Canada; University of Edinburgh, MA (Hons) First Class LLB, Distinction, Diploma in Legal Practice; University of Pennsylvania. Affiliations: Member, TGWU. Author of: New Scotland, New Britain (1999). Hobbies: Running, angling.
b. 26 October 1967, Glasgow. Married with one child.

2005				2001
LAB HOLD	Votes	%	+/- %	Votes	%
Labour	19,904	52.6	-	17,830	58.4
Lib Dem	6,672	17.6	-	3,178	10.4
SNP	6,653	17.6	-	5,920	19.4
Conservative	3,188	8.4	-	2,301	7.5
Scot Soc	789	2.1	-	835	2.7
Pride in Paisley Party	381	1.0	-	-	-
Independent	166	0.4	-	126	0.4
Socialist Labour Party	107	0.3	-	-	-
ProLife Alliance	-	-	-	346	1.1
Majority	13,232	34.9	-	11,910	39
Turnout	37,860	62.9	-	30,536	57.2