Member for Edinburgh East and Musselburgh since 1970. Committees: Former Member, Select Committees on Science and Technology, Agriculture and Scottish Affairs. Political career: Cabinet Minister for Transport 1997-98; Principal Opposition Spokesperson on Food, Agriculture and Rural Affairs 1992-97; Opposition Spokesperson on Employment 1987-89; Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food 1974-79; Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Oil and Gas, Department of Energy 1974. Special political interests: Agriculture, fisheries, transport, rural affairs. Profession/Trade: Agricultural scientist. Education: Morrison's Academy; Edinburgh University; Churchill College, Cambridge. Affiliations: TGWU; Fabian Society; Co-operative Party.
b. 10 July 1943, Perthshire. Married with one child.

2005				2001
LAB HOLD	Votes	%	+/- %	Votes	%
Labour	15,899	40.0	-	18,124	52.6
SNP	9,697	24.4	-	4,981	14.5
Lib Dem	6,760	17.0	-	5,956	17.3
Conservative	4,093	10.3	-	3,906	11.3
Scot Soc	2,266	5.7	-	-	-
Green	868	2.2	-	1,487	4.3
DDTP	89	0.2	-	-	-
No description	37	0.1	-	-	-
Majority	6,202	15.6	-	12,168	35.3
Turnout	39,709	61.3	-	34,454	58.2