Member for Tiverton and Honiton since 1997; Member for Honiton 1992-97. Political career: Shadow Secretary of State for Trade and Industry since 1999; Frontbench Spokesperson on Education and Disability 1997-98; Chair, Western Area Candidates 1989-92; Parliamentary Secretary at the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food 1994-97; Chair, Western CPC 1985-86; Member, National Advisory Committee 1986-90; Parliamentary Candidate for Crewe and Nantwich 1987; former Member, Agricultural Select Committee; former Chair, All-Party Anglo-Tunisian Group; former Secretary, Backbench Employment Committee; former Chair, Rights of Way Review Committee. Special political interests: Defence, small businesses, economy, taxation, the needs of the learning disabled and mental health. Profession/Trade: Former Director; Company Secretary for the Small Business Bureau. Education: Westwood Grammar School; Reading College of Technology; Bournemouth College of Technology. Affiliations: Vice-President, Institute of Sales and Marketing Management since 1997; President, Institute of Home Economics; Member, National Autistic Society; Member, Thomas Hardy Society. Hobbies: Theatre, opera.
b. 4 December 1946, Reading. Married with two children.

2005				2001
CON HOLD	Votes	%	+/- %	Votes	%
Conservative	27,838	47.9	0.8	26,258	47.1
Lib Dem	16,787	28.9	-7.0	19,974	35.8
Labour	7,944	13.7	1.7	6,647	11.9
UKIP	2,499	4.3	2.0	1,281	2.3
Liberal Party	1,701	2.9	1.9	594	1.1
Green	1,399	2.4	0.6	1,030	1.8
Majority	11,051	19.0		6,284	11.3
Turnout	58,168	69.8	0.6	55,784	69.2