Member for Bradford North since 1990. Political career: PPS to Michael Meacher MP since 1998; Chair, Parliamentary Labour Party Social Security Committee; Secretary, Yorkshire Group of Labour MPs; Deputy Leader of the Council since 1990; Chair, Labour Group since 1983. Special political interests: Public-sector housing, employment law, poverty, trade unions. Profession/Trade: Former insurance broker; welfare rights advice worker. Education: Buttershaw Comprehensive; Bradford College. Hobbies: Crosswords.
b. 11 November 1950. Married with three children.

2005				2001
LAB HOLD	Votes	%	+/- %	Votes	%
Labour	14,622	42.5	-7.2	17,419	49.7
Lib Dem	11,111	32.3	12.5	6,294	19.8
Conservative	5,569	16.2	-7.9	8,450	24.1
BNP	2,061	6.0	1.4	1,613	4.6
Green	560	1.6	-0.1	611	1.7
Respect the Unity Coalition	474	1.4	-	-	-
Majority	3,511	10.2	-	8,969	25.6
Turnout	34,397	53.3	0.6	35,017	52.7