Member for Meriden since 1997. Committees: Vice-Chair, All-Party Parliamentary Group on Poverty 1998-2001; Member, Science and Technology Select Committee 1997-98. Political career: Shadow Secretary of State for Internal Development since 2001; Opposition Health Spokesperson 1999-2001; Opposition Whip 1998-99; Parliamentary Candidate for Bassetlaw 1992. Special political interests: Debt relief, overseas aid, foreign affairs, agriculture, health. Profession/Trade: Agricultural consultant. Education: Herts and Essex Girls' Grammar School; Queen Mary College, University of London, BA (Hons) First Class, European Studies. Languages spoken: French, German. Author of: The Non-Food Uses of Agricultural Raw Materials (1997). Hobbies: Tennis, skiing.
b. 4 May 1958, Bishop's Stortford. Married with three children.

2005				2001
CON HOLD	Votes	%	+/- %	Votes	%
Conservative	22,416	48.2	0.5	21,246	47.7
Labour	15,407	33.1	-6.1	17,462	39.2
Lib Dem	7,113	15.3	4.2	4,941	11.1
UKIP	1,567	3.4	1.3	910	2
Majority	7,009	15.1		3,784	8.5
Turnout	46,503	60.1	0.2	44,559	59.9