Member for Heywood and Middleton since 1997. Special political interests: Local government, housing, health. Profession/Trade: Retired. Previously microbiologist in the NHS. Education: St Andrew's High, Kirkcaldy; St Columba's High, Cowdenbeath; Napier College, Edinburgh. Affiliations: Amnesty International, Co-operative Party, Labour housing. Hobbies: Football.
b. 26 May 1941, Kincardine, Fife. Married with four children.

2005				2001
LAB HOLD	Votes	%	+/- %	Votes	%
Labour	19,438	49.8	-7.9	22,377	57.7
Conservative	8,355	21.4	-6.2	10,707	27.6
Lib Dem	7,261	18.6	7.4	4,329	11.2
BNP	1,855	4.8	-	-	-
Liberal	1,377	3.5	0.9	1,021	2.6
UKIP	767	2.0	-	-	-
Christian Dem	-	-	-	345	0.9
Majority	11,083	28.4	-	11,670	30.1
Turnout	39,053	54.6	1.5	38,779	53.1