Member for Edinburgh North and Leith since 2001. Committees: Councillor and Convenor, Transport Committee 1999-2001; Labour Convenor, Edinburgh Council's Recreation Committee 1984-86; Political career: Labour Councillor, City of Edinburgh Council 1999-2001 (Executive Member, Transport 1999-2001) and 1980-96 (Leader of the Council 1986-93); Member, Executive Committee, Scottish Constitutional Convention; Parliamentary Candidate, Edinburgh Pentlands 1992, and 1987; Chair, Scottish Labour Party 1989-90; Member, Labour Party's Scottish Executive Committee since 1980; Member, Labour and Co-operative Parliamentary Group. Profession/Trade: Advocate, Scottish Bar. Education: University of St Andrews; University of Edinburgh. Affiliations: Member, TGWU; former Member, Socialist Environment & Resources Association (SERA); Member, Friends of the Earth; Member, Fabian Society; member of various local community organisations.
b. 1953, Romford. Married with four children.

2005				2001
LAB HOLD	Votes	%	+/- %	Votes	%
Labour	14,597	34.2	-	15,271	45.9
Lib Dem	12,444	29.2	-	6,454	19.4
SNP	7,969	18.7	-	4,626	13.9
Conservative	4,344	10.2	-	5,290	15.9
Scot Soc	2,482	5.8	-	-	-
Soc Lab	804	1.9	-	1,334	4
Green	-	-	-	259	0.8
Majority	2,153	5.049	-	8,817	26.5
Turnout	42,640	62.671	-	33,234	53.2