Nigel was first elected as Member of Parliament for Eastbourne, Willingdon and East Dean in 1992. He lives in Wannock with his wife Barbara and two teenage children, Louise and Stephen.

Nigel is a solicitor by background and finds this very useful in helping constituents with their problems. He holds regular Advice Surgeries and deals with hundreds of letters and e-mails from constituents every week.

Nigel is Shadow Pensions Minister as well as Shadow Minister for Older People. He has recently been re-elected as Chairman of the All-Party Group for Older People. He is also an officer of the British-Cyprus Group.

In his spare time, Nigel likes to walk on the Downs, work in the garden and support Eastbourne Borough. He is Patron of a number of local charities, including the Multiple Sclerosis Society and the Link Centre for Deafened People. He is also President of the Eastbourne Constitutional Club and a Vice President of Age Concern Eastbourne.