Member for Hexham since 1992. Committees: Member, Chairman's Panel since 1992; Member, Scottish Affairs Select Committee since 1997; Member, Select Committee on Deregulation 1995-97; Member, European Legislation Committee 1992-97. Political career: Opposition Whip; Parliamentary Private Secretary to Lord Parkinson, Chair of Conservative Party 1997-98; PPS to Sir George Young, Secretary of State for Transport 1996-97; PPS to J Hanley, Minister of the Armed Forces, MOD, and Chair of the Conservative Party 1994-95; Vice-Chair, Conservative Agricultural Backbench Committee 1992-94; Councillor, Suffolk County Council 1989-92; Councillor, London Borough of Wandsworth 1978-82. Profession/Trade: Journalist 1961-83; Deputy Director, British Field Sports Society 1983-92. Education: Cheltenham College.
b. 19 January 1943. Married with two children.

2005				2001
CON HOLD	Votes	%	+/- %	Votes	%
Conservative	17,605	42.4	-2.2	18,917	44.6
Labour	12,585	30.3	-8.3	16,388	38.6
Lib Dem	10,673	25.7	10.7	6,380	15
Eng Dem	521	1.3	-	-	-
Imperial	129	0.3	-	-	-
UKIP	-	-	-	728	1.7
Majority	5,020	12.1	-	2,529	6
Turnout	41,513	68.8	-2.1	42,413	70.9