I have been a Labour MEP since 1994. But I've always been passionate about politics.

I Joined the Labour Party at 18, and served 11 years as a district councillor, including three as Leader of Harlow Council.

What does politics mean to me?

I was brought up in a single parent family, in a council house and went to a comprehensive school. In many ways I experienced at first hand how the decisions of governments and institutions can have a dramatic impact for - good or bad - on ordinary people's lives.

After leaving University I worked for four years in the voluntary sector and eight years for a disability organisation. This is the background that has helped develop the values I now hold - a belief that equality of opportunity is the right of all.

Since becoming an MEP I have used my position to further that aim and have been rewarded with high profile positions that have enabled me to score some significant goals in that direction.

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