I was born in 1966 in Enfield where I attended the local comprehensive school, Southgate. I went on to study Politics & Economics at Oxford University. In 1997 I returned to Enfield Southgate to become its first ever Labour MP, defeating the then Defence Secretary Michael Portillo in what was later voted the "3rd greatest television moment ever"!
 
I have 8 years' previous experience in Parliament where I was an active campaigner on behalf of my constituents - for example when a mother came to see me because her daughter had died during an epileptic seizure I set up an All Party Group on Epilepsy to put pressure on Government to do more. When another young constituent, Livia Galli Atkinson, was killed by a car I worked with her parents to press for firmer penalties for those who kill on our roads.
 
I was a Government Minister for 4 years - first as Deputy Leader of the House of Commons working with Robin Cook to reform Parliament and then for 3 years as Minister for Schools where I led the new primary schools' policy "Excellence and Enjoyment".

Since April 2007 I have divided my time between Liverpool and London. When I am here my flat is in Knotty Ash, round the corner from Ken Dodd's! I am a member of the West Derby Society and the Friends of Croxteth Hall & Country Park.