Member for Knowsley North since 1986 by-election. Political career: Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Northern Ireland Office since 1999; Parliamentary Under-secretary of State, Home Office 1997-99. Special political interests: Housing, the environment, trade union affairs, home affairs. Profession/Trade: Teacher; engineer. Education: Kirkby College of Further Education; Liverpool Polytechnic. Affiliations: AEU.
b. 29 June 1949. Married with three children.

2005				2001
LAB HOLD	Votes	%	+/- %	Votes	%
Labour	23,461	63.3	-3.4	25,035	66.7
Lib Dem	7,192	19.4	5.6	5,173	13.8
Conservative	5,064	13.7	-2.6	6,108	16.3
BNP	872	2.3	-	-	-
Soc Lab	464	1.2	-0.3	574	1.5
Independent	-	-	-	356	0.9
Independent	-	-	-	271	0.7
Majority	16,269	43.9		18,927	50.4
Turnout	37,053	52.6	-0.4	37,517	53