Member for Colchester since 1997. Committees: Member, Home Affairs Select Committee since 1998. Political career: Member, LD Home and Legal Affairs Team since 1997; Leader of Colchester Borough Council 1987-91, Councillor since 1971; Mayor of Colchester 1986-87. Special political interests: Environment, leisure, local government, prison reform. Profession/Trade: Publicist and journalist. Education: Myland Primary; St Helena Secondary Modern; North-East Technical College (all in Colchester). Hobbies: Football supporter, Colchester United FC.
b. 31 March 1946, Camberwell. Married with three children.

2005				2001
LIB DEM HOLD	Votes	%	+/- %	Votes	%
Lib Dem	21,145	47.1	4.5	18,627	42.6
Conservative	14,868	33.1	3.2	13,074	29.9
Labour	8,886	19.8	-5.2	10,925	25
UKIP	-	-	-	631	1.4
Grey	-	-	-	479	1.1
Majority	6,277	14.0		5,553	12.7
Turnout	44,899	56.8	1.4	43,736	55.4