Elected to the House of Commons in May 1997, having defeated the then Secretary of State for Scotland, Michael Forsyth. Anne was the Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Secretary of State for Scotland from November '97 to July '98. In July '98, Anne became an Assistant Government Whip and was appointed a Lord Commisioner to the Treasury in June 2001. In June 2002 Anne became Parliamentary Under Secretary at The Scotland Office. Following the Scotland's Office incorporation in the new Department of Constitutional Affairs, Anne was appointed Parliamentary Under Secretary of State in that department with responsibility for Scotland. From 2005 General Election till Oct 2008 Anne was Minister for Disabled People at the Department for Work and Pensions. In the last reshuffle the Prime Minister asked Anne to undertake a non-ministerial special project supported from within the Cabinet Office, on the voluntary sector and government. The changes also see the Stirling MP becoming a member of the Privy Council which brings with it the title "Right Honourable".

Anne is a trained teacher but has gained most of her work experience in management in the voluntary sector. She has also worked with multi-disadvantaged young people and adults with learning difficulties and was one of a small group of volunteers who pioneered home based care for the latter.

She has also been a member of the Children's Panel. Until recently she was a Safeguarder for Children, being called in by either Panels or Sheriffs when the interest of the child needed further protection.

Anne has also studied the development of public services in Sweden, USA and in the newly emerging areas of Eastern Germany.