Member for Old Bexley and Sidcup since 2001. Political career: Government Whip 1993-97; Assistant Government Whip 1993-94; Parliamentary Private Secretary to Minister of State for Employment from 1992-93; Parliamentary Private Secretary to Minister of State for Wales from 1988-91; MP for Shewsbury and Atcham 1983-97; Councillor, Gateshead Borough Council; Councillor, Tyne and Wear County Council. Education: Beacon Hill Boys' School; Newcastle Polytechnic. Affiliations: formerly TA; charities including Action Research for the Crippled Child and Cat Protection League.
b. 15 February 1953, Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Married with three children.

Con2005				2001
CON HOLD	Votes	%	+/- %	Votes	%
Conservative	22,191	49.8	4.4	19,130	45.4
Labour	12,271	27.5	-9.9	15,785	37.5
Lib Dem	6,564	14.7	1.0	5,792	13.7
UKIP	2,015	4.5	1.1	1,426	3.4
BNP	1,227	2.8	-	-	-
Independent	304	0.7	-	-	-
Majority	9,920	22.3		3,345	7.9
Turnout	44,572	65.3	3.2	42,133	62.1