Member for Falkirk since 2005. Member for Falkirk West since 2000. Committees: Member, Scottish Affairs Select Committee 2001-03; Member, House Procedures Committee since 2001. Political career: Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade and Industry since 2000. Special political interests: Foreign affairs, international development, defence, economy, education and training. Profession/Trade: Teacher. Education: University of Sterling, BA (Hons); University of Bath, MA; University of Keele MBA. Author of: Arms and the Man - Renewing the Armed Services. Editor of: Now's the Hour: New Thinking for Holyrood. Hobbies: Climbing, judo, most sports.
b. 13 October 1960, Perth. Married with two daughters.

2005				2001
LAB HOLD	Votes	%	+/- %	Votes	%
Labour	23,264	50.9	-	16,022	51.9
SNP	9,789	21.4	-	7,490	24.2
Lib Dem	7,321	16.0	-	2,203	7.1
Conservative	4,538	9.9	-	2,321	7.5
Scot Soc	838	1.8	-	707	2.3
Independent	-	-	-	1,464	4.7
Independent	-	-	-	490	1.6
Soc Lab	-	-	-	194	0.6
Majority	13,475	29.5	-	8,532	27.6
Turnout	45,750	59.6	-	30,891	57.7