Member for Colne Valley since 1997. Committees: Member, Treasury Select Committee 2001-03; Member, Social Security Committee 1998-99; Secretary, Rural Group of MPs. Political career: Sheffield City Councillor 1992-96 (Chair of Finance and of Personnel); Branch and Regional Secretary, CPSA. Special political interests: Textile industry, domestic violence, social security, employment, agriculture, finance, small business, pensions. Education: Crewe Grammar School for Girls; Crewe and Alsager College, DipHE, BA Philosophy, Psychology, Sociology.
b. 12 January 1954, Crewe. Married with two children.

2005				2001
LAB HOLD	Votes	%	+/- %	Votes	%
Labour	17,536	35.9	-4.5	18,967	40.4
Conservative	16,035	32.8	2.3	14,328	30.5
Lib Dem	11,822	24.2	-0.7	11,694	24.9
British National Party	1,430	2.9	-	-	-
Green	1,295	2.7	0.4	1,081	2.3
Veritas	543	1.1	-	-	-
Monster Raving Loony Party	259	0.5	-	-	-
UKIP	-	-	-	917	2
Majority	1,501	3.1		4,639	9.9
Turnout	48,920	66.0	2.7	46,987	63.3