Member for Preston since 2000. Committees: Member, House of Commons European Scrutiny Select Committee; Member, Romania Group. Political career: European Member of Parliament (Lancs Central) 1994-99; Salford City Councillor 1989-95. Special political interests: Economic, money and industrial affairs; foreign affairs and defence; European and international development. Profession/Trade: Digital electronics engineer 1986. Education: Liverpool Polytechnic, BSc (Hons) Electrical and Electronic Engineering; University of Manchester, MSC, Computer Science, Cert Ed. Languages spoken: German (fluent), French (basic). Author of: Changing States (1995); The Euro and Co-operative Enterprises (1998). Affiliations: Member, GMB Trade Union; Member, Penwortham Sports and Social Club; Member, Deepdale Labour Club. Hobbies: Watching Manchester City and Preston North End football clubs, chess, foreign languages, travel.
b. 2 November 1958, Salford, Lancashire. Single.

2005				2001
LAB HOLD	Votes	%	+/- %	Votes	%
Labour Co-op	17,210	50.5	-6.5	20,540	57
Conservative	7,803	22.9	-0.1	8,272	23
Lib Dem	5,701	16.7	3.6	4,746	13.2
Respect	2,318	6.8	-	-	-
UKIP	1,049	3.1	-	-	-
Independent	-	-	-	1,241	3.4
Green	-	-	-	1,019	2.8
Independent	-	-	-	223	0.6
Majority	9,407	27.6		12,268	34
Turnout	34,081	53.8	3.8	36,941	50