Biography

Date of Birth: 22 August 1946

Place of birth: Ashby de la Zouch, Leicestershire

Education: Ashby Grammar School

University: Open; East Midlands; Lanchester (now Coventry) Polytechnic

Marital Status: Married

Children: 4 daughters (and 1 son deceased)

Hobbies: Enjoyed middling success in 1960s and 1970s as a medium pace bowler in village cricket (best figures 7 for 9 against Rolls Royce).

In the 1980s enjoyed competing as a long distance runner in many half-marathons and some marathons (completed the 1989 London marathon in alittle over 3 hours).

Since the 1990s has been a keen cyclist covering such routes as the Pennine Way and Coast to Coast.

Previous Occupation: Accountant; Computer Manager

Career History:

1977-1997: Accountant and computer manager, Leicestershire County Council

Political Career

Served as a member of Heather Parish Council and North West Leicestershire District Council

Results since 1992

General Election	Constituency	Party	Votes(%)	Position
General 2005	Leicestershire North West	Labour	21449 (45.5%)	1
General 2001	Leicestershire North West	Labour	23431 (52.1%)	1
General 1997	Leicestershire North West	Labour	29332 (56.4%)	1
General 1992	Leicestershire North West	Labour	27400 (43.9%)	2

Select committee membership

Member, Chairmen's Panel Committee
Member, Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee
Also Chairman of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Smoking and Health

Your Labour and Co-operative Member of Parliament

Backbencher of the Year 2007