Member for Rushcliffe since 1970. Political career: Chancellor of the Exchequer 1993-97; Home Secretary 1992-93; Secretary of State for Education and Science 1990-92; Secretary of State for Health 1988-90; Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for Trade and Industry 1987-88; Paymaster General and Minister for Employment 1985-87; Minister for Health 1982-85; Under-Secretary of State for Transport 1981-82; Parliamentary Secretary, Department of Transport 1979-81; Opposition Spokesperson on Industry 1976-79, for Social Services 1974-76; Lord Commissioner of the Treasury 1974; Assistant Government Whip 1972-74; Parliamentary Private Secretary to Solicitor General, Sir Geoffrey Howe, working on the Industrial Relations Bill and then the European Community Enabling Legislation 1971-72; Parliamentary Candidate for Mansfield 1966 and 1964. Special political interests: Social services, education, Britain's relationship with Europe. Profession/Trade: Barrister (Gray's Inn (1963); Queen's Counsel. Education: Nottingham High School; Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge. Affiliations: Deputy Chair, British American Tobacco plc; Non-Executive Chair, Alliance Unichem plc; Non-Executive Chair, Savoy Asset Management plc; Non-Executive Director, Foreign and Colonial Investment Trust; Non-Executive Director, Independent News and Media (UK).
b. 2 July 1940. Married with two children.

2005				2001
CON HOLD	Votes	%	+/- %	Votes	%
Conservative	27,899	49.5	2.0	25,869	47.5
Labour	14,925	26.5	-7.5	18,512	34
Lib Dem	9,813	17.4	3.8	7,395	13.6
Green	1,692	3.0	0.7	1,236	2.3
UKIP	1,358	2.4	-0.2	1,434	2.6
Veritas	624	1.1	-	-	-
Majority	12,974	23.0		7,357	13.5
Turnout	56,311	70.5	4.0	54,446	66.5