Member for Dumfries since 1997. Committees: Member, Select Committee on Regulatory Reform since 2001; Member, Select Committee on Standards and Privileges since 2001; Member, Select Committee on Scottish Affairs 1999-2001; Member, Select Committee on European Legislation 1997-99; Member, All-Party Parliamentary Group HIV/AIDS, Male Cancers, Occupational Health and Safety, Rail Freight, Breast Cancer, MS, ME, Street Children, Vaccine Damaged Children, Animal Welfare. Political career: Parliamentary Private Secretary to Leader of the House of Lords 2002-03; Elected to Dumfries and Galloway Unitary Council 1995-97; Elected to Annandale and Eskdale District Council 1988-96; Elected to Dumfries and Galloway Regional Council 1986-96. Special political interests: Social policy, employment legislation, health and safety. Education: Annan Academy. Languages spoken: French, German. Affiliations: Member, TGWU. Hobbies: Sport, walking.
b. 17 September 1951. Married with two children.

2005				2001
LAB HOLD	Votes	%	+/- %	Votes	%
Labour	20,924	41.1	-	20,830	48.9
Conservative	18,002	35.4	-	11,996	28.2
SNP	6,182	12.1	-	4,103	9.6
Lib Dem	4,259	8.4	-	4,955	11.6
Scot Green	745	1.5	-	-	-
Scot Soc	497	1	-	702	1.6
Christian Vote	282	0.6	-	-	-
Majority	2,922	5.7	-	8,834	20.7
Turnout	50,891	68.5	-	42,586	67.7