Member for Maidstone and the Weald since 1987. Committees: Member, Home Affairs Select Committee since 2002; Member, Health and Social Services Select Committee 1988-90; Member, Standards and Privileges Committee; Member, All-Party Diasablement Group; Member, Conservative Defence Committee; Member, Standing Committees on Immigration Bill, Abortion (Amendment) Bill, Finance Bill; Member NHS and Community Care Bill Standing Committee. Political career: Shadow Home Secretary 1999-2001; Shadow Health Secretary 1998-99; Minister of State, Home Office 1995-97; Minister of State, Employment 1994-95; Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Employment 1993-94; Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Social Security 1990-93; Parliamentary Private Secretary to Tristan Garel-Jones 1990; Vice-Chair, Women and Families for Defence 1983-85; Parliamentary Candidate for Burnley 1979 and Plymouth, Devonport 1983. Special political interests: Abortion, prisons, defence, education. Title/Honours/Decorations: PC 1997. Education: University of Birmingham, BA (Hons); Oxford University, BA (Hons). Author of: The Clematis Tree; An Act of Treachery. Hobbies: Writing, walking, King Charles II's escape.
b. 4 October 1947, Bath. Single.

2005				2001
CON HOLD	Votes	%	+/- %	Votes	%
Conservative	25,670	52.7	3.0	22,621	49.6
Labour	10,814	22.2	-4.8	12,303	27.
Lib Dem	10,808	22.2	2.3	9,064	19.9
UKIP	1,463	3.0	0.9	978	2.1
Independent	-	-	-	611	1.3
Majority	14,856	30.5		10,318	22.6
Turnout	48,755	65.8	4.2	45,577	61.6