Brian was first elected to the European Parliament in June 1989 and is presently the Chairman of the Parliaments’ Transport and Tourism Committee.

He comes from Golborne near Wigan and represents his home region the North West of England in the Parliament for 18 years, Brian was the spokesperson for the Socialist Group on Transport before being made Chair in 2009.  He is also a Member of the Agriculture and Rural Development Committee, where he acts as Labour Party Spokesman; and the European Parliament’s delegation for relations with Australia and New Zealand.

Married to Linda, he has 3 grown up children and lives in Great Sankey, Warrington.

His list of hobbies are, most sports, but in particular, Rugby League; Heritage Railways and Military History.  Brian is particularly well read on the American Civil War.  He is a member of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport.  Vice President of the Heritage Railways Association and holds various offices with a number of local community groups and animal welfare groups.