Born in Huddersfield, Borrow went to Mirfield Grammar school and Lancaster Polytechnic. He got a BA with honors in Economics, at Coventry University. Before entering the Parliament, Borrow was Clerk to the Merseyside Valuation Tribunal. Former Preston Borough Councillor and Council Leader. Parliamentary Candidate, Wyre, he was elected in 1992 as Labour MP for the Lancashire constituency of South Ribble. Member, Select Committee on Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

He came out publicly in June 1998. Member of the Fabian Society, Labour Campaign for Electoral Reform, UNISON and the Co-operative Party. David Borrow is Vice-Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on AIDS. He argues that an accessible HIV vaccine is an essential step in breaking the cycle of deprivation HIV is causing in the developing world.