Member for Orpington since 1992. Committees: Chair, Environmental Audit Committee; Member, Liaison Committee. Political career: Minister, Department of Health 1995-97; Minister, Cabinet Office 1995; joined Conservative Party 1987; SDP MP for Gateshead West 1981-83; Labour MP for Gateshead West 1970-83; Minister, Department of Transport 1976-79. Special political interests: Environment, health, economy. Profession/Trade: Economist. Education: Silcoates School, Wakefield; St Catherines College, Cambridge, MA. Author of: Making Britain Competitive (1983). Hobbies: Opera, fell-walking.
b. 7 March 1939, Preston, Lancashire. Married.

2005				2001
CON HOLD	Votes	%	+/- %	Votes	%
Conservative	26,718	48.8	5.0	22,334	43.9
Lib Dem	21,771	39.8	-3.6	22,065	43.3
Labour	4,914	9.0	-1.9	5,517	10.8
UKIP	1,331	2.4	0.5	996	2
Majority	4,947	9.0		269	0.5
Turnout	54,734	69.9	1.5	50,912	68.4