Member for Cynon Valley since 1984 by-election. Committees: Member, House of Commons Select Committee on International Development; Chair, All-Party Group on Human Rights; Joint Vice-Chair on Portugal; Vice-Chair, IPU; Vice-Chair, PLP. Political career: Assistant to John Prescott, Deputy Leader 1994-95; Opposition Spokesperson on Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs 1994-95; Opposition Spokesperson on Employment 1993-94; Shadow Secretary of State for Wales 1992-93; Elected to Shadow Cabinet 1989-92; Shadow Secretary of State, Overseas Development and Co-operation 1989-92; Opposition Spokesperson, Education 1987-88; MEP for Mid and West Wales 1979-84. Special political interests: Foreign affairs, overseas development, human rights. Profession/Trade: Broadcaster; journalist. Education: Holywell Grammar School; Queen's School Chester; University of North Wales, Bangor.
Hobbies: Boating, walking.
b. 27 March 1937, Denbigh, North Wales. Married.

2005				2001
LAB HOLD	Votes	%	+/- %	Votes	%
Labour	17,074	64.1	-1.5	17,685	65.6
Plaid Cymru	3,815	14.3	-3.1	4,687	17.4
Lib Dem	2,991	11.2	1.8	2,541	9.4
Conservative	2,062	7.7	0.2	2,045	7.6
UK Independence Party	705	2.7	-	-	-
Majority	13,259	49.8		12,998	48.2
Turnout	26,647	58.7	3.2	26,958	55.5