Member for Glasgow East since 2005. Member for Glasgow, Shettleston since 1979. Committees: Chair, Select Committee on Scottish Affairs since 1997, Member since 1994; Member, Liaison Committee; Vice-Chair, Inter-Parliamentary-Union British Group 1994-97, and Chair since 1997; Chair, Select Committee on Transport since 1987. Political career: Secretary/Treasurer, Scottish Group of Labour MPs since 1981; Member, Strathclyde Regional Council 1974-79 (Chair, Manpower Committee and Chief Whip); Member, Glasgow Corporation 1972-75; Councillor, Carntyne/Camlachie since 1974; Chair, Strathclyde Regional Manpower Committee, Convention of Scottish Local Authorities. Special political interests: Transport, aviation, Scottish affairs, Third World. Education: Larbert High School; Falkirk High School; Woodside Senior Secondary School. Affiliations: TGWU. Hobbies: Gardening, music.
b. Glasgow, May 1941. Married with three children.

2005				2001
LAB HOLD	Votes	%	+/- %	Votes	%
Labour	18,775	60.7	-	13,235	64.7
SNP	5,268	17.0	-	3,417	16.7
Lib Dem	3,665	11.8	-	1,105	5.4
Conservative	2,135	6.9	-	1,082	5.3
Scot Soc	1,096	3.5	-	1,396	6.8
Soc Lab	-	-	-	230	1.1
Majority	13,507	43.7	-	9,818	48.0
Turnout	30,939	48.2	-	20,465	39.7