Derek Page, as he was usually known, was born the son of a lorry driver in Sale, Greater Manchester.
He was educated at St Bede's College, Manchester, and the University of London, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in chemistry.
In 1964, he became Labour Member of Parliament (MP) for Kings Lynn, and held this seat until 1970, when he lost to the Conservative candidate Christopher Brocklebank-Fowler (who would later join the SDP).
He refought Brocklebank-Fowler for the changed seat of North West Norfolk in February 1974 but was again defeated.
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