Member for Blackpool North and Fleetwood since 1997. Committees: Member: Work and Pensions Select Committee since 2001; Social Security Select Committee 1998-2001; Chair, All-Party Social Services Group 1999; Secretary, North West Group of Labour MPs since 1998; Secretary, Backbench DCMs Group Labour MPs since 1997. Political career: Councillor, Lancashire County Council 1985-97. Special political interests: Economic regeneration, health and social services, education, fishing. Education: University of Lancaster, BA (Hons). Affiliations: TGWU, Co-operative Party, Christian Socialist Movement. Hobbies: Cooking, reading, gardening.
b. 3 March 1951, Skipton. Married with two children.

2005				2001
LAB HOLD	Votes	%	+/- %	Votes	%
Labour	20,620	47.6	-3.1	21,610	50.8
Conservative	15,558	35.9	-1.4	15,889	37.3
Lib Dem	5,533	12.8	3.1	4,132	9.7
UKIP	1,579	3.7	1.4	950	2.2
Majority	5,062	11.7	-	5,721	13.4
Turnout	43,290	57.7	0.5	42,581	57.2