Member for Pontypridd since 1989 by-election. Political career: Minister of State, Department of Transport since 2003; Minister, (Tourism and Broadcasting) Department of Culture, Media and Sport since 2001-03; Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Consumers and Corporate Affairs, Department of Trade and Industry 1998-2001; Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Lifelong Learning, Department of Education and Employment 1997-98; Opposition Spokesman on Trade and Industry 1995; Labour Frontbench Spokesman on Home Affairs 1994-97; Labour Frontbench Spokesman on Foreign Affairs 1994; Opposition Spokesman on Home Affairs 1994-95. Special political interests: Culture, economy, education, foreign affairs. Profession/Trade: Freelance Radio and Television Presenter and Writer 1986-89; Research Officer and Newspaper Editor, NUM South Wales Area 1982-89; former Research Officer, University College Swansea 1979-82. Education: Mountain Ash Grammar School; Hornsey College of Art; Cambridge CAT, BA; Warwick University, PhD. Hobbies: Cinema, jazz, mountaineering, painting.
b. 27 November 1946. Married with three children.

2005				2001
LAB HOLD	Votes	%	+/- %	Votes	%
Labour	20,919	52.8	-7.2	22,963	59.9
Lib Dem	7,728	19.5	8.7	4,152	10.8
Conservative	5,321	13.4	0.1	5,096	13.3
Plaid Cymru	4,420	11.2	-2.6	5,279	13.8
UKIP	1,013	2.6	1.0	603	1.6
Communist	233	0.6	-	-	-
ProLife Alliance	-	-		216	0.6
Majority	13,191	33.3		17,684	46.2
Turnout	39,634	60.9	2.9	38,309	58