Member for Carlisle since 1987. Committees: Joint Chair, West Coast Mainline All-Party Subject Group. Political career: Parliamentary Private Secretary to Baroness Jay, the Leader of the House of Lords, since 1998; Shadow Defence Minister 1992-97; PPS to the Duchy of Lancaster 1995-97; Opposition Whip 1996-97; Cumbria County Councillor 1973-88; Chair, Cumbria County Council 1983-85; Carlisle City Councillor 1972-74. Special political interests: Agriculture, health service, industrial relations, defence, local government. Profession/Trade: Personnel manager. Education: Harraby School; Carlisle College. Affiliations: Vice-President, Friends of Carlisle-Settle Line; Officer, Institution of Environmental Health; Vice-Patron, Carlisle MIND; Vice-Patron, Sandpiper Holiday Centre Appeal; Patron, Cumbria Deaf Association. Hobbies: Local history.
b. 3 January 1949. Married.

2005				2001
LAB HOLD	Votes	%	+/- %	Votes	%
Labour	17,019	48.1	-3.1	17,856	51.2
Conservative	11,324	32	-2.8	12,154	34.8
Lib Dem	5,916	16.7	5.0	4,076	11.7
UKIP	792	2.2	-	-	-
L Cannabis	343	1	-0.6	554	1.6
Soc Alliance	-	-	-	269	0.8
Majority	5,695	16.1		5,702	16.3
Turnout	35,394	59.5	0.1	34,909	59.4