Member for Rayleigh since 2001. Committees: Member, Environmental Audit Select Committee (EAC) since 2001. Political career: Opposition Junior Whip since 2002; Conservative Parliamentary Candidate for Brent East 1997; Basildon District Councillor 1991-95. Special political interests: Defence, home affairs, housing, the environment. Profession/Trade: Public Affairs Consultant 1996-2001. Education: Nicholas Comprehensive School, Basildon; University of Bristol, BA, History; King's College, London, MA War Studies. Languages spoken: Italian (a little). Hobbies: Travel, walking, reading, history (particularly military history).
b. 14 August 1965, Islington, London. Married.

2005				2001
CON HOLD	Votes	%	+/- %	Votes	%
Conservative	25,609	55.4	5.3	21,434	50.1
Labour	10,883	23.6	-7.2	13,144	30.7
Lib Dem	7,406	16.0	0.6	6,614	15.5
UKIP	2,295	5.0	1.3	1,581	3.7
Majority	14,726	31.9		8,290	19.4
Turnout	46,193	64.2	3.2	42,773	61