Member for Central Ayrshire since 2005. Member for Cunninghame South since 1992. Committees: Vice-Chair, Transport PLP since 2002; Member, Transport, Local Government and the Regions 2001-02. Political career: Member, Transport Select Committee since 1993; Convener, Scottish Parliamentary Labour Party 1996-98; Treasurer, Cunninghame, South Constituency Labour Party 1983-91; Chair, North Ayrshire Local Health Council 1977-79; Chair, Cunninghame Industrial Development Committee 1975-85; Secretary, Irvine and District Trades Councils 1973-81. Special political interests: Transport. Profession/Trade: Draughtsman; trade union official. Education: Irvine Royal Academy; Kilmarnock Technical College, National Certificate (Engineering). Affiliations: Member, TGWU. Hobbies: Gardening, cycling.
b. 10 September 1948. Married with two children.

2005				2001
LAB HOLD	Votes	%	+/- %	Votes	%
Labour	19,905	46.4	-	16,424	58.4
Conservative	9,482	22.1	-	2,782	9.9
Lib Dem	6,881	16.1	-	2,094	7.4
SNP	4,969	11.6	-	5,194	18.5
Scot Soc	820	1.9	-	1,233	4.4
Soc Lab	468	1.1	-	382	1.4
UKIP	346	0.8	-	-	-
Majority	10,423	24.3	-	11,230	40.0
Turnout	42,871	62.5	-	28,109	56.2