Biography

DOB: 26 May 1949.
I have been the Labour Member of Parliament for Islington North since 1983 with a majority of 6,716 at the 2005 election.

I prioritise the needs of the poor and the human rights of all, both at home and abroad.  The need for more affordable housing for Islington constituents has dominated my work in parliament for many years, and by referring to other links on this website (eg “In Parliament”) you can read some of my speeches and questions in the House.  My “Diary” section will give you an idea of the meetings I attend on this and other very important subjects, both with Ministers and/or constituents, NGOs (non-governmental organisations), schools and colleges and other organisations.  The needs of minority groups including asylum seekers have also been at the forefront of my work for the past 22 years.

In what I refer to as my “peacekeeping role” (details contained in my “Biography”) I have attended and spoken at human rights peace conferences, including Beijing, Mumbai, New Delhi, Rwanda, UN/Geneva and other parts of Europe.  Particularly since September 11th I have travelled to many countries speaking out against military efforts to solve problems, and in favour of negotiation.  I continue to argue for the rights of the oppressed, in particular, the Palestinians, Chagos Islanders, and the Western Saharwi.

In the past I have had significant involvement in campaigning against a number of miscarriages of justice, eg for Irish victims such as the Birmingham Six, Guildford Four, Bridgewater Three and Danny MacNamee.  This experience taught me much about the dangers of rushing anti terrorist legislation through (Parliament), which more than anything else, enables the wrongful imprisonment of innocent people.  I will continue to vote against similar draconian measures in parliament. 

I have campaigned enthusiastically for fair pension provision for all, against racism, and on the other major issues affecting my constituents, especially unemployment and low pay.  As well as attending the UN Human Rights Commission in Geneva on a regular basis I led an Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) delegation to Angola in 2004, followed by participating in a human rights-based visit to Rwanda at the request of Peace Brigades International. I visit Palestine when I can and was an observer at the 2005 presidential elections.  In July 2006 I was similarly privileged to attend the DRC (Congo) General Election as an election observer.

I was a member of the 2007 Advisory Committee for the Anti slavery exhibition to be held in parliament to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the abolition of slavery. 

Before entering parliament I was a full time official for NUPE (National Union Public Employees), now part of Unison and I remain a member of, and supported by, Unison in parliament.  I think the role of Trade Unions in Society is a very important one, as is their affiliation to the Labour Party.

As a member of the Socialist Campaign Group in parliament I am also very involved in the parliamentary groups of PCS - Public and Commercial Services Union, RMT - Rail and Maritime Transport Union, FBU - Fire Brigade Union, NUJ – National Union of Journalists, Justice Unions, Family Court Union, Defend Council Housing, Trade union Group, and the Performers Alliance.  I am a member of the Labour Representation Committee (LRC) and supported the 2007 John4Leader www.john4leader.org.uk campaign.

My membership of the following All Party Parliamentary Groups (APPG) tells more:

Subject groups:
Member of Inter parliamentary Union Executive  (IPU)
Human rights – Joint Vice chair
Traveller Law Reform
Cycling
Cheese

Country groups:
Angola - member
Brazil – member
Britain-Palestine
Caribbean
Chile
Cuba
Dominican Republic
East Timor
Great Lakes (Africa)
Irish Britain Group
Latin American - Vice Chair
Somaliland
Venezuela - sectretary
Mexico - sectretary

CND (Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament) Parliamentary Group - Chair
CND - National Vice Chair
Dalit Solidarity Campaign - Chair and Trustee
Liberation, The Anti-Imperialist/Anti Racist Organisation - Chair
Steering Committee of Stop the War - officer
PSC (Palestine Solidarity Campaign) - Patron
Highbury Vale and Blackstock Trust - Trustee
Hanley Crouch Community Association  - Trustee
Mitford Under Fives - patron
Centre 404  - Patron
Refugee Therapy Centre - patron
Islington Pensioners Forum  - Joint President (with Lord Smith of Finsbury)
Islington Music Forum - Patron
Greater London Pensioners Forum - on Parliamentary Panel
Socialist Campaign Group