Member for Northampton North since 1997. Committees: Hon Secretary, PLP Treasury Committee; Vice-Chair, All-Party Building Society Group. Political career: Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Rt Hon Hilary Armstrong MP, Local Government Minister; Councillor, Southwark Council 1986-94; Leader, Southwark Council 1990-93; Member, Greater London Labour Executive 1991-92. Special political interests: Education, home affairs, health, economy. Profession/Trade: Journalist. Education: Cheltenham Ladies' College; St Hugh's College, Oxford, BA (Hons). Affiliations: National Union of Journalists; GMB; Fabian Society. Hobbies: Reading, antique glass.
b. 13 October 1951, Berlin, Germany. Married with two children.

2005				2001
LAB HOLD	Votes	%	+/- %	Votes	%
Labour	16,905	40.2	-9.2	20,507	49.4
Conservative	12,945	30.8	0.4	12,614	30.4
Lib Dem	10,317	24.5	6.8	7,363	17.7
UKIP	1,050	2.5	1.1	596	1.4
SOS	495	1.2	-	-	-
Christian Peoples	336	0.8	-	-	-
Soc Alliance	-	-	-	414	1
Majority	3,960	9.4		7,893	19
Turnout	42,048	56.9	0.9	41,494	56