Biography

Born: 21 August 1944

Main leisure pursuits: running (including marathons), cookery, gardening

Education

• Goldsmiths College - Certificate in Community and Youth Work
• University of Sussex - CCETSW Management in Social Work course
• University of Bristol - MSc in Policy Studies

Previous Employment

• Director of Bexley Council for Racial Equality
• Previously a community and social worker
• Labour Party organiser
• Medical laboratory technician

Member of MSF, CWS Retail SE and Greenpeace.

Political Career

• London Borough of Greenwich Councillor 1970-94
• London Borough of Greenwich Leader 1982-87
• London Borough of Greenwich Mayor 1987-89
• Vice-chair of Association of London Authorities 1983-87
• Chair of London Boroughs Emergency Planning Committee 1989-92
• Chair of London Ecology Unit 1990-92
• Chair of Association of Community Health Councils for England and Wales 1980-82

In the Commons

• MP for Woolwich 1992-97; MP for Erith and Thamesmead since 1997
• Member of the Commons Health Select Committee since 1994
• Chair British Group of the Inter-Parliamentary Union
• Executive Committee Member UK Branch Commonwealth Parliamentary Association

Main political interests: health, race, equal opportunities, human rights, foreign affairs