Member for Houghton and Washington East since 1997. Committees: Chair, PLP Cabinet Office Committee. Political career: Deputy Chair, North East Constitutional Convention; National Labour Party General Election Co-ordinator 1994-96; Regional Director, West Midlands Labour Party 1986-94; Deputy Regional Director, East Midlands Labour Party 1984-86; Labour Agent, Leicester 1980-84. Special political interests: Industrial policy, manufacturing, car industry, law and order, regional policy. Profession/Trade: Director, CO-Gas Safety (Carbon Monoxide & Gas Safety Group); full-time Labour Party Official since 1980; previously Civil Servant. Education: Washington Comprehensive. Hobbies: People.
b. 1 September 1958, Washington. Married with three children.

2005				2001
LAB HOLD	Votes	%	+/- %	Votes	%
Labour	22,310	64.3	-8.9	24,628	73.2
Lib Dem	6,245	18.0	5.5	4,203	12.5
Conservative	4,772	13.8	-0.5	4,810	14.3
BNP	1,367	3.9	-	-	-
Majority	16,065	46.3	-	19,818	58.9
Turnout	34,694	51.7	2.2	33,641	49.5