 Member for Coatbridge, Chryston and Bellshill since 1997. Committees: Chair, All-Party Iraqi Kurdistan Group since 2002; Secretary, All-Party Angola Group 2002; former Chairperson, Parliamentary Labour Party Foreign, Commonwealth and European Committee. Political career: Minister of State, (Film and Tourism), Department of National Heritage/for Culture, Media and Sport 1997-98; Shadow Cabinet Minister for Disabled People-s Rights 1995-97; Shadow Secretary of State for International Development 1993-94, for Scotland 1992-93; Principal Opposition Spokesperson for Development and Co-operation 1993-94; Shadow Minister for UK Personal Social Services 1987-92; Member for Monklands West 1983-97, and for Coatbridge and Airdrie by-election 1982-83; President, Convention of Scottish Local Authorities 1978-80; Provost of Monklands 1974-82; Councillor, Monklands District Council 1974-82, and Coatbridge Town Council 1964-74. Special political interests: Film industry, foreign affairs, civil service, local and regional government, central America, Philippines, Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe, USA, Peru, South Africa, Indonesia, Scotland. Profession/Trade: Film executive. Title/Honours/Decorations: Fellow, Industry and Parliamentary Trust; CBE 1980; JP 1972. Education: Columbia High School, Coatbridge; Scottish College of Commerce. Publications Director of: award winning amateur film, Give us a Goal. Affiliations: Member, GMB; Assistant Director, Scottish Council for Educational Technology. Hobbies: Films, walking, reading, astrology, member of Coatbridge Municipal Golf Club. b. 10 January 1941, Coatbridge. Single.
|
| |
2005 |
|
|
2001 |
|
| LAB HOLD |
Votes |
% |
+/- % |
Votes |
% |
| Labour |
24,725 |
64.5 |
|
19,807 |
65.3 |
| SNP |
5,206 |
13.6 |
|
4,493 |
14.8 |
| Lib Dem |
4,605 |
12.0 |
|
2,293 |
7.6 |
| Conservative |
2,775 |
7.2 |
|
2,171 |
7.2 |
| Scot Soc |
1,033 |
2.7 |
|
1,547 |
50.5 |
| Majority |
19,519 |
50.9 |
|
15,314 |
50.5 |
| Turnout |
38,344 |
56.9 |
|
30,311 |
58.1 |
|
