Member for Liverpool Wavertree since 1997. Member for Liverpool, Broadgreen 1992-97. Political career: Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Lord Chancellor's Department since 1999; Lord Commissioner of the Treasury 1998-99; Assistant Government Whip 1997-98; Opposition Whip, Home Affairs 1996-97; Opposition Whip, Trade and Industry 1996; Member, Government Select Committee 1995; Member, Social Security Select Committee 1992-94; NUPE Area Organiser 1988-92; Member and Branch Secretary, NUPE 1984-88. Special political interests: Public services, local government. Education: Haughton Comprehensive School; Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College; Liverpool University. Affiliations: Member, UNISON; Member, Ramblers Association and YHA; Member, Belgian Shepherd Dog Association. Hobbies: Dog-training for fun, walking, riding, gardening.
b. 4 May 1958, Whitehaven. Divorced with two children.

2005				2001
LAB HOLD	Votes	%	+/- %	Votes	%
Labour	18,441	52.4	-10.3	20,155	62.7
Lib Dem	13,268	37.7	13.3	7,836	24.4
Conservative	2,331	6.6	-3.0	3,091	9.6
UKIP	660	1.9	0.8	348	1.1
Soc Lab	244	0.7	-0.4	359	1.1
Dem Soc All	227	0.7	-	-	-
Soc Alliance	-	-	-	349	1.1
Majority	5,173	14.7		12,319	38.3
Turnout	35,171	50.8	6.5	32,138	44.3