Born in 1948, David was educated at Warwick University (BSc Joint Hons Molecular Science/Computer Science 1968-1971), London Business School (Master's Degree in Business 1971-1973) and Harvard (Advanced Management Program 1984-1985).

David was Member of Parliament for Boothferry from 1987 to 1997, and since 1997 he has represented Haltemprice and Howden.

In November 1990, David was appointed Assistant Government Whip.  Prior to that, he was Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Hon Francis Maude MP.

David was Parliamentary Secretary at the Office of Public Service and Science from 1993 to 1994, when he was appointed Minister of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office until 1997.  From 1997 to 2001, he served as Chairman of the House of Commons Public Accounts Committee.

In September 2001, he was appointed Chairman of the Conservative Party, and in July 2002 he was appointed Shadow Secretary of State for the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister.

Since November 2003, he has been the Shadow Home Secretary.

David has written various articles and a pamphlet on the National Health Service, a pamphlet on the abolition of the National Dock Labour Scheme entitled 'Clear the Decks' and two books: 'How To Turn Round A Company' and 'The BBC viewers' guide to Parliament'.

He is a past member of the National Union Executive Committee and NUEC General Purposes Committee, and was the National Chairman of the Federation of Conservative Students.

David was an Executive member of JMS (1976-1978) and a member of the CBI Financial Policy Committee (1977-1979).  He is the Originator/Founder of Newham 6th Form Scholarship Scheme (1982), the Originator of Tate & Lyle/Touche Ross Student Innovation Awards (1985) and was an Executive member of the Industrial Society (1985).  He is a former Director of Tate & Lyle Plc.

He is married to Doreen, and they have three children.