Member for Chelmsford West 1987, 2001. Committees: Member, Health Select Committee since 1999. Political career: Frontbench Spokesman, Environment 1988-99; Frontbench Spokesman, Social Security 1997-98; Parliamentary Under-Secretary, Department of Health 1996-97; Lord Commissioner (Senior Whip) 1995-96; Assistant Government Whip 1994-95; Parliamentary Private Secretary to Minister of State for Energy 1992-93; PPS to Minister of State for Education 1990-92; PPS to Minister of State for Employment 1989-90; Management Committee, Fulham Conservative Association 1983-86; Parliamentary Candidate for Alyn and Deeside 1983; Executive Council, Putney Conservative Association 1977-81; Political Adviser to Rt Hon Sally Oppenheim MP 1975-81; worked for Senator George McGovern's 1972 Presidential Campaign against Richard Nixon. Special political interests: American politics, health. Education: Christ the King School, Accra, Ghana; Stamford School, Stamford; Worcester College, Oxford, BA History. Hobbies: Reading, collecting second-hand books.
b. 6 September 1952, Nottingham. Divorced with two children.

2005				2001
CON HOLD	Votes	%	+/- %	Votes	%
Conservative	22,946	45.0	2.5	20,446	42.5
Lib Dem	13,326	26.1	2.9	11,197	23.3
Labour	13,236	25.9	-3.5	14,185	29.5
UKIP	1,544	3.0	1.4	785	1.6
Green	-	-	-	837	1.7
L Cannabis	-	-	-	693	1.4
Majority	9,620	18.8		6,261	13
Turnout	51,052	61.9	0.4	48,143	61.5