Member for St Ives since 1997. Committees: Member, Regional Affairs Standing Committee since 2001; Member, Agriculture Select Committee 1997-2000; Member of the following APGs: Family Farms and Fisheries (Vice-Chair), Disability, International Development, Housing and Homelessness, Sustainable Energy, Rail Freight, Charities, Cycling, Sustainable Waste. Political career: LD Shadow Rural Affairs Minister since 2002; Parliamentary Private Secretary to Charles Kennedy as Leader of the Liberal Democrats 2001-02; LD Shadow Disabilities Minister 1999-2001; LD Shadow Fisheries Minister since 1997; Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for St Ives 1994-97; Parliamentary Candidate for St Ives 1992; Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for St Ives 1989-92. Special political interests: Immigration, minority groups, racism, Third World, Cornwall, devolution, economic development, housing, fishing industry. Education: Helston Grammar School; University of Sussex; Oxford University, MSc, Agricultural Economics. Languages spoken: Cornish. Author of: A View from the Bottom Left-Hand Corner (2002); A Vision of Cornwall (1993); Cornwall at the Crossroads (1989); The Natives are Revolting Down in the Cornwall Theme Park (1986). Hobbies: Football (various Commons' teams), cricket (Leedstown Cricket Club), rugby (Lords and Commons Cricket Club), Tennis (Hayle Tennis Club), swimming, cycling, sports generally.
b. 2 December 1958. Married with two children.

2005				2001
LIB DEM HOLD	Votes	%	+/- %	Votes	%
Lib Dem	25,577	50.7	-0.9	25,413	51.6
Conservative	13,968	27.7	-3.5	15,360	31.2
Labour	6,583	13.1	-0.3	6,567	13.3
UKIP	2,551	5.1	1.2	1,926	3.9
Green	1,738	3.5	-	-	-
Majority	11,609	23		10,053	20.4
Turnout	50,417	67.4	1.2	49,266	66.3