Member for Berwick-upon-Tweed since 1973. Committees: Member, Intelligence and Security Committee; Member, Speaker's Committee on Electoral Commission; Vice-Chair, All-Party Arts and Heritage Group; Executive Member of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Non-Profit Making Members' Clubs. Political career: Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrats 1992-2003; Member, House of Commons Commission 1979-97; Liberal Democrat Spokesperson on Home Affairs 1994-99; Liberal Democrat Spokesperson on Treasury Affairs 1987-94; Member, Treasury Select Committee 1987-94; Deputy Leader, Liberal Party 1985-88; Alliance Spokesperson on Foreign Affairs 1987; Liberal Spokesperson on Foreign Affairs 1985-87; Spokesperson on Parliamentary and Constitutional Affairs 1983-87; Liberal Chief Whip 1976-85. Profession/Trade: Former Lecturer in Politics, Newcastle University. Title/Honours/Decorations: Privy Council 1992. Education: King's School, Macclesfield; Balliol and Nuffield Colleges, Oxford. Affiliations: Vice-President, National Association of Local Councils; Chair of the Trustees of the Historic Chapels Trust. Hobbies: Historic buildings, music, walking, boats.
b. 20 April 1943, Cheshire. Widower with two children.

2005				2001
LIB DEM HOLD	Votes	%	+/- %	Votes	%
Lib Dem	19,052	52.8	1.4	18,651	51.4
Conservative	10,420	28.9	0.8	10,193	28.1
Labour	6,618	18.3	0.6	6,435	17.7
UK IP	-	-	-	1,029	2.8
Majority	8,632	23.9	-	8,458	23.3
Turnout	36,090	63.4	-0.4	36,308	63.8