Member for Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney since 2001. Committees: Member, Deregulation and Regulatory Reform Committee since 2001; Wales Labour Party Joint Policy Committee since 2001. Special political interests: Education, lifelong learning, industrial relations and working conditions, health, cancer and blood. Profession/Trade: Trade Union Officer.
Education: St Peter's College, Birmingham, Certificate in Education; University of Warwick, MA Industrial Relations. Affiliations: Amicus/MSF, Merthyr Tydfil Credit Union, BHS, RSPB. Hobbies: Hill-walking, horse riding, bird watching, Commons and Lords Rugby Team.
b. 7 February 1950, Quakers Yard, Merthyr Tydfil. Separated.

2005				2001
LAB HOLD	Votes	%	+/- %	Votes	%
Labour	18,129	60.5	-1.3	19,574	61.8
Lib Dem	4,195	14.0	6.5	2,385	7.5
Plaid Cymru	2,972	9.9	-4.8	4,651	14.7
Conservative	2,680	8.9	1.8	2,272	7.2
Forward Wales	1,030	3.4	-	-	-
UKIP	699	2.3	-	-	-
Soc Lab	271	0.9	-1.3	692	2.2
Independent	-	-	-	1,936	6.1
ProLife Alliance	-	-	-	174	0.5
Majority	13,934	46.5		14,923	47.1
Turnout	29,976	54.9	-2.5	31,684	57.4