Member for Bootle since November 1990 by-election. Political career: Labour Whip (North West) 1994-97; Leader of the Labour Group 1985-90; Member, Sefton Borough Council 1970-90. Profession/Trade: Former fitter and tuner, personnel manager. Education: St Monica's School; Bootle Technical College. Affiliations: Member, Institute of Linguistics; Member, Institute of Personnel Management; Justice of the Peace since 1968. Hobbies: Classical music, reading, swimming, squash.
b. 28 September 1933, Bootle. Married with four children.

Ton 2005				2001
LAB HOLD	Votes	%	+/- %	Votes	%
Labour	19,345	75.5	-2.1	21,400	77.6
Lib Dem	2,988	11.7	3.1	2,357	8.5
Conservative	1,580	6.2	-1.8	2,194	8
UKIP	1,054	4.1	-	-	-
Soc Alt	655	2.6	-	-	-
Soc Lab	-	-	-	971	3.5
Soc Alliance	-	-	-	672	2.4
Majority	16,357	63.8		19,043	69
Turnout	25,622	47.7	-1.3	27,594	49