Member for Glenrothes since 2005. Member for Central Fife since 2001. Committees: Member, Administration Committee, Regulatory Reform Committee, Scottish Select Committee; Member, All-Party Group on Botswana, Netherlands, Poland, Russia, Gibraltar, Singapore, Heart, Oil and Gas, Police, Underground, Space. Political career: Convenor of Fife Council 1987-2001; Councillor, Fife Regional Council 1982-2000. Special political interests: Employment, trade and industry, solvent abuse, foreign affairs. Profession/Trade: Trade union official. Title/Honours/Decorations: Gold Cross of Merit of the Republic of Poland. Education: Glenrores College; Fife Technical College. Affiliations: SMBA Honorary President; Fife Express Group for Mental Health; Scottish Old Age Pensioners Association. Hobbies: Cars and driving, cycling, walking.
b. 1947, Dunfermline. Married with two children.

2005				2001
LAB HOLD	Votes	%	+/- %	Votes	%
Labour	19,395	51.9	-	18,310	56.3
SNP	8,731	23.4	-	8,235	25.3
Lib Dem	4,728	12.7	-	2,775	8.5
Conservative	2,651	7.1	-	2,351	7.2
Pensioners	716	1.9	-	-	-
Scot Soc	705	1.9	-	841	2.6
UKIP	440	1.2	-	-	-
Majority	10,664	28.5	-	10,075	31.0
Turnout	37,366	56.1	-	32,512	54.6