FIRST of all, this is a blog, not my parliamentary or constituency website. If you want to know about my work in Glasgow South or in the House of Commons, click here.

“And another thing…” is intended as my outlet for opinions, jokes, musings and whimsy about a range of subjects including – but not only – politics. If you believe that politicians take themselves too seriously, you might enjoy it. If you think they should take themselves very seriously indeed, or shouldn’t have any interests outside politics, I would avoid it, frankly. Try John Redwood.

I’ve been a Labour MP since 2001, and was a minister at the Department for Transport from September 2006 until October 2008. I’m married to Carolyn, with whom I have two sons. For the purposes of this blog, I refer to them as Ronnie (aged 5) and Reggie (aged 3). I also have a teenage son (17) from a previous marriage.

I have a number of obsessions interests, including Doctor Who, science fiction in general, the music of Genesis, The X-Factor and any other old rubbish that comes into my head.