Member for Stockton North since 1983. Committees: Member, Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe 1992-2002; Member, NATO Parliamentary Assembly (Vice-President 1998-2000) 1987-2002; Member, Defence Select Committee 1992-97; Member, All-Party Group on Renewable Energy. Political career: Deputy Speaker in Westminster Hall since 1999. Special political interests: Alternative/renewable energy, South-East Asia, NATO, rehabilitation of sexual offenders. Profession/Trade: Construction project engineer. Education: Corby Jesuit School, Sunderland; De La Salle College, Manchester; Leeds Institute of Education. Affiliations: Amicus/MSF. Hobbies: Photography, rough walking, modern jazz.
b. 3 November 1935, Hartlepool. Divorced with four children and eight grandchildren.

2005				2002
LAB HOLD	Votes	%	+/- %	Votes	%
Labour	20,012	54.9	-8.5	22,470	63.4
Conservative	7,575	20.8	-1.3	7,823	22.1
Lib Dem	6,869	18.9	7.0	4,208	11.9
BNP	986	2.7	-	-	-
UKIP	986	2.7	-	-	-
Green	-	-	-	926	2.6
Majority	12,437	34.1		14,647	41.3
Turnout	36,428	57.6	3.3	35,247	54.3