Member for Makerfield since 1987. Committees: Member, Select Committee on Social Security 1991-92; Member, Parliamentary Labour Party Department Committees on Environment, Social Services, Employment; Chair, All-Party Group on Rugby League. Political career: Minister for Pensions since 2001; Minister of State, Cabinet Office since 1999-2001; Chief Employment Spokesperson 1996; Shadow Minister for Employment 1994-96; Labour Party Spokesperson on Health 1992-94; Member, Greater Manchester FCDA 1986-87; Wigan and District TGWU Parliamentary Panel 1985-87; Chair, Wigan and Leigh Health Defence Committee 1983-87. Special political interests: Local government, NHS, personal social services, social security, the disabled, the environment, tourism. Profession/Trade: former Seaman. Education: State educated. Affiliations: President, Children's Wheelchair Fund; Member, Tribune Group; Council Member, Child Accident Prevention Trust; Member, Fabian Society, SEA, MENCAP, TGWU. Hobbies: Rugby league.
b. 25 April 1951, Lennoxtown, Scotland. Married with three children (son deceased) and seven grandchildren.

2005				2001
LAB HOLD	Votes	%	+/- %	Votes	%
Labour	22,494	63.2	-5.3	23,879	68.5
Conservative	4,345	12.2	-5.4	6,129	17.6
Lib Dem	3,789	10.7	-0.8	3,990	11.4
Community Act	2,769	7.8	-	-	-
BNP	1,221	3.4	-	-	-
UKIP	962	2.7	-	-	-
Soc Alliance	-	-	-	858	2.5
Majority	18,149	51.0		17,750	50.9
Turnout	35,580	51.5	0.6	34,856	50.9