Member for Selby since 1997. Committees: Treasurer, All-Party University Group since 2002; Member, Joint Scrutiny Committee on Communications Bill 2002; Member, Northern Ireland Select Committee 1997-2001; Chair, All-Party BBC Group since 2000; Secretary, All-Party Coalfield Communities Group since 1998; Chair, Liquor Licensing Reform Panel of the All-Party Beer Group since 1997. Political career: Parliamentary Candidate for Selby 1992, 1987; European Parliamentary Candidate for York 1989. Special political interests: Broadcasting, local government, trade, policy, energy. Education: St John's College, Oxford, BA Modern History and Economics. Hobbies: Member, Yorkshire County Cricket Club; cinema, reading.
b. 24 February 1961, West Yorkshire. Single.

2005				2001
LAB HOLD	Votes	%	+/- %	Votes	%
Labour	22,623	43.1	-2.0	22,652	45.1
Conservative	22,156	42.2	1.4	20,514	40.8
Lib Dem	7,770	14.8	3.7	5,569	11.1
Green	-	-	-	902	1.8
UKIP	-	-	-	635	1.3
Majority	467	0.8		2,138	4.3
Turnout	52,549	67.2	2.7	50,272	64.5