Member for Blackburn since 1979. Political career: Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs since 2001; Secretary of State for the Home Department 1997-2001; Shadow Secretary of State for the Home Department 1994-97; Shadow Environment Secretary 1992-97; Shadow Education Secretary, 1987-92; elected to Shadow Cabinet 1987; Opposition Spokesperson on Environment 1983-87, on the Treasury and Economic Affairs 1980-83; Member, Islington Borough Council 1971-78; Special Adviser to the Rt Hon Peter Shore, Secretary of State for Environment; Special Adviser to Barbara Castle, Secretary of State for Social Services 1974-76; Deputy Leader 1973-74; Member, Inner London Education Authority 1971-74; Parliamentary Candidate for Tonbridge and Malling 1974. Profession/Trade: Barrister; former television journalist on the staff of World in Action (Granada Television 1977-79). Education: Brentwood School, Essex; University of Leeds, LLB; Inns of Court School of Law. Languages spoken: French. Affiliations: President, National Union of Students 1969-71; Member, GMBU. Hobbies: Cooking, walking, music, watching Blackburn Rovers.
b. 3 August 1946, Buckhurst Hill, Essex. Married with two children.

2005				2001
LAB HOLD	Votes	%	+/- %	Votes	%
Labour	17,562	42.0	-12.1	21,808	54.1
Conservative	9,553	22.9	-8.3	12,559	31.2
Lib Dem	8,608	20.6	12.5	3,264	8.1
BNP	2,263	5.4	-	-	-
Independent	2,082	5.0	4.0	377	0.9
UKIP	954	2.3	-0.7	1,185	2.9
Green	783	1.9	1.9	-	-
Soc Lab	-	-	-	559	1.4
Soc Alliance	-	-	-	532	1.3
Majority	8,009	19.2		9,249	23
Turnout	41,805	56.9	1.4	40,284	55.5