Member for Newcastle-under-Lyme since 2001. Committees: Member, Joint House of Commons/Lords Pre-Legislative Scrutiny Committee on the Communications Bill 2002; Member, European Standing Committee. Political career: Parliamentary Candidate for Chesham and Amersham 1997. Special political interests: Health and elderly care, education and universities, regeneration. Profession/Trade: Journalist with Reuters, The Independent on Sunday and Observer. Education: St Edmund Hall College, Oxford, BA (Hons), Philosophy, Politics and Economics. Languages spoken: French, German, Italian. Editor of: Hammering the Left - the Memoirs of John Golding. Affiliations: NUJ, MSF, Amnesty International, Greenpeace. Hobbies: Rugby, football, writing.
b. 2 March 1962, Newcastle-under-Lyme. Married with two children.

2005				2001
LAB HOLD	Votes	%	+/- %	Votes	%
Labour	18,053	45.4	-8.0	20,650	53.4
Conservative	9,945	25.0	-2.6	10,664	27.6
Lib Dem	7,528	18.9	3.4	5,993	15.5
UKIP	1,436	3.6	2.1	594	1.5
BNP	1,390	3.5	-	-	-
Green	918	2.3	-	-	-
Veritas	518	1.3	-	-	-
Independent	-	-	-	773	2
Majority	8,108	20.4		9,986	25.8
Turnout	39,788	58.2	-0.6	38,674	58.8