Member for Halifax since 2005. Political career: Private Secretary to Alice Mahon MP; Councillor, Ovenden Ward. Education: University of Bradford. Affiliations: Chair, Ovenden Inititiative; Non-executive Director, Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Trust; Board Member, Pennine Housing; Amicus; Co-operative Party. Hobbies: Reading, swimming.
b. 31 May 1953, Halifax.

2005				2001
LAB HOLD	Votes	%	+/- %	Votes	%
Labour	16,579	41.8	-7.2	19,800	49
Conservative	13,162	33.2	-0.7	13,671	33.8
Lib Dem	7,100	17.9	3.4	5,878	14.6
BNP	2,627	6.6	-	-	-
National Front	191	0.5	-	-	-
UKIP	-	-	-	1,041	2.6
Majority	3,417	8.6	-	6,129	15.2
Turnout	39,659	61.1	3.3	40,390	57.8