He was first elected to the seat in a 1989 by-election, lost it to the Conservatives in 1992, and regained it in the general elections of 1997.
He was first elected to the seat in a 1989 by-election, lost it to the Conservatives in 1992 by a very narrow margin due to postal votes cast by expatriates. Regained the seat in the general elections of 1997.