Member for Bristol North West since 1997. Committees: Secretary, All-Party Ports and Merchant Navy Group since 2002; Chair, Co-op Groups of MPs 2001-02; Member, Health Select Committee since 2001; Member, Regulatory Reform Committee since 2001; Member, Social Security Select Committee 1999-2001; Member, Deregulation Select Committee 1998-2001; Chair, Editorial Committee, 'Science in Parliament' since 2000; Secretary, Parliamentary and Scientific Committee since 1999; Delegate to Council of Europe and Western European Union 1997-99; Vice-Chair, Parliamentary Labour Party Health Committee since 1997. Political career: Member, Co-operative Party NEC 1994-96, since 2000; Chair, Bristol Co-operative Party 1990-97; Parliamentary Candidate for Bristol North West 1992; Member, Bristol City Council 1981-98; Parliamentary Candidate for Cirencester and Tewkesbury 1987; Candidate, European Elections 1979; joined Labour Party 1966. Special political interests: Health policy, Co-operative development, local government, ports and shipping, international development, science, higher education. Profession/Trade: Immunologist (research). Education: Musselburgh Burgh School; George Heriot School; University of Edinburgh; Yale University, BSc Biology, PhD Immunology, FIBiol. Affiliations: FRSM, Co-operative Party, Socialist Health Association, Association of University Teachers (AUT). Hobbies: Film, theatre, music, paddle-steamer preservation.
b. 1 April 1941, Musselburgh, Midlothian. Separated with two children.

2005				2001
LAB HOLD	Votes	%	+/- %	Votes	%
Labour	22,192	46.7	-5.4	24,236	52.1
Conservative	13,230	27.9	-0.9	13,349	28.7
Lib Dem	9,545	20.1	4.2	7,387	15.9
UKIP	1,132	2.4	-0.1	1,149	2.5
Eng Dem	828	1.7	-	-	-
Soc Alt	565	1.2	-	-	-
Soc Lab	-	-	-	371	0.8
Majority	8,962	18.9		10,887	23.4
Turnout	47,492	61.1	0.5	46,492	60.6