One of longest serving members of Front Bench in House of Lords under three different leaders, going back to Mrs Thatcher and ending as a member of Shadow Cabinet and Chief Whip in the Lords under William Hague. Covered a wide range of different portfolios both in Government and Opposition, my chief interests being education, health, pensions and defence.

Prior to that qualified as a barrister and active in Cumbria and North West in local government as a county councillor and as a landowner and farmer. Graduate of Durham University.

Current Positions
Consultant to Carlisle Airport Feb 2002 –
Vice-Chairman Crime Policy Group, Centre for Policy Studies

Principal Political Positions

Opposition Chief Whip and member of Shadow Cabinet 2001-1998

Principal Opposition Spokesman for home Affairs 1998- 1997.

Principal Opposition Spokesman for Education 1997.

Minister of State, Department for Education and Employment, 1997-1995.

Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence, 1995-1994

Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, Department of Employment, 1994-1993

Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, Department of Social Security, 1993-1989.

Government Whip House of Lords, 1989 and spokesman for Dept. of Health.

County Councillor Cumbria 1989-1986, also farmer and landowner in Cumberland and active in voluntary and charity sector (eg British Legion, Red Cross and Cumbria Association of Local Councils.

Qualified:	Mediator
Education:	Durham University
General Information:	One of longest serving members of Front Bench in House of Lords under three different leaders, going back to Mrs Thatcher and ending as a member of Shadow Cabinet and Chief Whip in the Lords under William Hague. Covered a wide range of different portfolios both in Government and Opposition, my chief interests being education, health, pensions and defence. Prior to that qualified as a barrister and active in Cumbria and North West in local government as a county councillor and as a landowner and farmer. Graduate of Durham University. Current Positions Consultant to Carlisle Airport Feb 2002 – Vice-Chairman Crime Policy Group, Centre for Policy Studies Principal Political Positions Opposition Chief Whip and member of Shadow Cabinet 2001-1998 Principal Opposition Spokesman for home Affairs 1998- 1997. Principal Opposition Spokesman for Education 1997. Minister of State, Department for Education and Employment, 1997-1995. Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence, 1995-1994 Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, Department of Employment, 1994-1993 Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, Department of Social Security, 1993-1989. Government Whip House of Lords, 1989 and spokesman for Dept. of Health. County Councillor Cumbria 1989-1986, also farmer and landowner in Cumberland and active in voluntary and charity sector (eg British Legion, Red Cross and Cumbria Association of Local Councils.