Member for Sevenoaks since 1997. Committees: Member, Higher Education Funding, Council for England 1993-97; Advisory Council, Social Market Foundation 1994; Government's Deregulation Task Force 1994; Conservative Research Department 1975-79 (seconded to opposition Whips Office, House of Lords 1975-77, EEC Desk Officer 1977-79). Political career: Opposition Spokesperson, Treasury since 1997; Frontbench Spokesperson Trade and Industry 1997; Contested Darlington by-election March 1983; Member, Darlington 1983-92; Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Rt Hon Cecil Parkinson MP, former Secretary of State for Energy 1987-88; Lord Commissioner of the Treasury (Senior Government Whip) May-July 1990; Under-Secretary of State (Schools Minister) Department of Education and Science 1990-92. Special political interests: The Constitution, public sector, education. Profession/Trade: Director, Quality Care Homes plc 1992-97; Chief Executive, Quality Care Development Ltd 1996-97; Managing Director, European Consultants Ltd 1979-81. Education: Epsom College; St Andrew's University, MA (Hons).
b. 4 May 1952. Married, with two children.

2005				2001
CON HOLD	Votes	%	+/- %	Votes	%
Conservative	22,437	51.8	2.4	21,052	49.4
Lib Dem	9,467	21.9	0.2	9,214	21.6
Labour	9,101	21.0	-4.6	10,898	25.6
UKIP	1,309	3.0	0.3	1,155	2.7
Eng Dem	751	1.7	-	-	-
UK Pathfinders	233	0.5	0.5	295	0.7
Majority	12,970	30.0		10,154	23.8
Turnout	43,298	66.5	2.6	42,614	63.9