Member for Redditch since 1997. Political career: Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Schools Standards since 1999; School Governor, West Midlands Labour Regional Executive; Redditch Borough Councillor 1991-97. Special political interests: Education, trade and industry, economic policy. Profession/Trade: Teacher. Education: Hertford College, Oxford University, BA (Hons) PPE; Worcester College of Higher Education, PGCE. Affiliations: Amnesty International. Hobbies: Football, theatre, family, friends.
b. 3 November 1962. Married with two children.

2005				2001
LAB HOLD	Votes	%	+/- %	Votes	%
Labour	18,012	44.7	-0.9	16,899	45.6
Conservative	15,296	38.0	-1.0	14,415	38.9
Lib Dem	5,602	13.9	3.6	3,808	10.3
UKIP	1,381	3.4	0.0	1,259	3.4
Green	-	-	-	651	1.8
Majority	2,716	6.7		2,484	6.7
Turnout	40,291	62.8	3.6	37,032	59.2