Ross Frederick Cranston (born 23 July 1948) is a lawyer and politician in the United Kingdom. He is Labour member of Parliament for Dudley North, since 1997, and served as Solicitor General from 1998 to 2001. After returning to the back-benches and speculation amongst colleagues, he announced in 2005 that he would not run for office again in the 2005 election. He is succeeded by Ian Austin. July 23 is the 204th day (205th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian Calendar, with 161 days remaining. ... 1948 is a leap year starting on Thursday (link will take you to calendar). ... The Labour Party is a centre-left or Democratic Socialist political party in the United Kingdom (see British politics), and one of the United Kingdoms three main political parties. ... A Member of Parliament, or MP, is a representative elected by the voters of an electoral district to a parliament; in the Westminster system, specifically to the lower house. ... This is about Dudley, England, for other places by the same name, see Dudley (disambiguation) Map sources for Dudley at grid reference SO9390 Dudley is a town in the West Midlands of England. ... 1997 is a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar, and was designated the International Year of the Reef. ... The Solicitor General is a cabinet position in several countries, dealing with legal affairs. ... 1998 is a common year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar, and was designated the International Year of the Ocean. ... 2001 is a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar. ... 2005 is a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ...