Alan graduated with a degree in Politics and Philosophy from Southampton University and went on to achieve a Ph.D. in Political Science. In 1980 he became a City Councillor and then Leader of Southampton City Council when Labour took control in 1984.

He worked in research for two national charities during the 1980s and early 90s, and became a Professor of Public Policy at Southampton Institute in 1992. He was elected as the MP for Southampton Test in 1997 and was re-elected in 2010.

In December 1999 was appointed as Parliamentary Private Secretary to Baroness Blackstone, Minister for Higher and Post-16 Education. Between June 2001 and May 2002 he was Under Secretary of State in the Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, responsible for local government, the regions and the Fire Service.

Alan is currently a member of the Energy & Climate Change, Environmental Audit and Standards & Privileges Parliamentary Select Committees. His special interests now include Higher Education, Local Government, Constitutional Reform, Environment, Energy and Transport.