I was elected as MP for York in April 1992.

I live in York with my wife, Fenella, and two children. 

I studied for my first degree at Bristol University, followed by a further degree at York University. My first job was with NALGO, as district officer from 1975 - 77, and later as national officer from 1977 - 1982.

From 1982 - 1986 I set up and ran the International Broadcasting Trust, making films about the environment and international development issues for Channel 4 and other TV stations. From 1986 until my election in 1992 I was a lecturer in Social Policy and later research fellow in Health Economics at York University.

From 1992-97 I was a member of the House of Commons Health Committee. In May 1997 I became Parliamentary Private Secretary to Frank Dobson MP when he was Secretary of State for Health. I served as a junior Minister at the Department of Social Security from January 1999 to June 2001.

In July 2001 I was appointed to serve as a member of the House of Commons International Development Select Committee. I was re-appointed to remain on this Committee after the 2005 election.

I am also a member of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly and Rapporteur of its Economic Sub-Committee on Transatlantic Relations.

In 2005 I was appointed by the Speaker of the House of Commons to sit on the Chairman's Panel.  This means I am one of 24 MPs who chairs legislative committees which scrutinise Bills in detail.

From 2005-2008 I was Chair of the Westminster Foundation for Democracy. I am Chair and founding member of the Africa All Party Parliamentary Group and Chair of the Parliamentary Network on the World Bank.