Member for Essex North since 1992. Committees: Treasurer, All-Party Universities Group 1997-98; Social Security Select Committee 1993-97; Co-Chair, Future of Europe Trust 1997; Chair, Backbench Smaller Business Committee 1995-97. Political career: Shadow Defence Secretary since 2001; Shadow Minister for London 1999-2001; appointed to Shadow Cabinet 1999; Shadow Minister of Transport 1998; Frontbench Spokesman on the Constitution 1997-98; Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Rt Hon Michael Forsyth (former Secretary of State for Scotland) November 1995-April 1997. Special political interests: Constitution, economy, small businesses, EU, foreign affairs, pensions, social security reform. Profession/Trade: Manager, Legal and General Venture Ltd. Education: Highgate School; William Ellis School; Corpus Christi College, Cambridge.
Author of: A Conservative Europe (1994) and Beyond; Maastrict Game, Set and Match; Who Benefits? Reinvesting Social Security; Fairer Business Rates. Hobbies: Sailing, music, DIY, fishing and family.
b. 1959, London. Married with two children.

2005				2001
CON HOLD	Votes	%	+/- %	Votes	%
Conservative	22,811	47.6	0.1	21,325	47.4
Labour	11,908	24.8	-6.6	14,139	31.5
Lib Dem	9,831	20.5	3.0	7,867	17.5
Green	1,718	3.6	-	-	-
UKIP	1,691	3.5	-0.1	1,613	3.6
Majority	10,903	22.7	-	7,186	16
Turnout	47,959	65.7	3.0	44,944	62.7