Professional career

1966-70 Tutor Organiser in industrial policy and trade union studies for the Workers' Educational Association
1970 Labour Member of Parliament for Bedwellty and Islwyn in South Wales
1970-79 Variously member of the House of Commons Public Expenditure Select Committee, Nationalised Industries Select Committee and European Legislation Select Committee
1974-75 Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Secretary of State for Employment
1979 Labour's Chief Opposition Spokesperson on Education
1980 Elected member of Labour's Shadow Cabinet
1978-94 Member of the National Executive Committee of the Labour Party
1988 Chairman of the National Executive Committee
1983 Privy Councillor
1983-92 Leader of the Labour Party, Vice-President of the Socialist International
1995-1999 Member of the European Commission, Transport (including trans-European networks)
1999-2004 Vice-President of the European Commission