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1997-2001 Government the United Kingdom From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The first Blair ministry lasted from May 1997 to June 2001. After eighteen years in opposition, Labour ousted the Conservatives at the May 1997 election with a 179-seat majority. The Prime Minister, Tony Blair, who turned 44 years old days after leading Labour to victory, was the youngest Prime Minister of the twentieth century.
 | This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. (June 2017) |
First Blair ministry | |
|---|---|
.svg){kind=small} Cabinet of the United Kingdom | |
| 1997–2001 | |
Blair in 1997 | |
| Date formed | 2 May 1997 |
| Date dissolved | 8 June 2001 |
| People and organisations | |
| Monarch | Elizabeth II |
| Prime Minister | Tony Blair |
| Prime Minister's history | Premiership of Tony Blair |
| Deputy Prime Minister | John Prescott |
| Member party | |
| Status in legislature | Majority 418 / 659 (63%) |
| Opposition cabinet | |
| Opposition party | |
| Opposition leader |
|
| History | |
| Election | 1997 general election |
| Outgoing election | 2001 general election |
| Legislature terms | 52nd UK Parliament |
| Budgets | |
| Predecessor | Second Major ministry |
| Successor | Second Blair ministry |
![[icon]](#/media/File:Wiki_letter_w_cropped.svg){kind=small} | This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (March 2016) |
| Cabinet Office | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Tony Blair | May 1997 – June 2001 | ||
| Deputy Prime Minister | John Prescott | May 1997 – June 2001 | |
| David Clark | May 1997 – July 1998 | ||
| Jack Cunningham | July 1998 – October 1999 | ||
| Mo Mowlam | October 1999 – June 2001 | ||
|
Derek Foster | May 1997 | |
| Peter Kilfoyle | May 1997 – July 1999 | ||
| Ian McCartney | July 1999 – June 2001 | ||
| Lord Falconer of Thoroton | July 1998 - June 2001 | ||
| Parliamentary Under Secretary of state | Graham Stringer | November 1999 - June 2001 | |
| Lord High Chancellor of Great Britain | The Lord Irvine of Lairg | May 1997 – June 2001 | |
| Minister Without Portfolio | Peter Mandelson | May 1997 – July 1998 | |
| Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Prime Minister | Ann Coffey | May 1997 – July 1998 | |
| Bruce Grocott | May 1997 – June 2001 | ||
| Treasury | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Chancellor of the Exchequer | Gordon Brown | May 1997 – June 2001 | |
| Chief Secretary to the Treasury | Alistair Darling | May 1997 – July 1998 | |
| Stephen Byers | July 1998 – December 1998 | ||
| Alan Milburn | December 1998 – October 1999 | ||
| Andrew Smith | October 1999 – June 2001 | ||
| Paymaster General | Geoffrey Robinson | May 1997 – December 1998 | |
| Dawn Primarolo | January 1999 – June 2001 | ||
| Financial Secretary to the Treasury | Dawn Primarolo | May 1997 – January 1999 | |
| Barbara Roche | January 1999 – July 1999 | ||
| Stephen Timms | July 1999 – June 2001 | ||
| Economic Secretary to the Treasury | Helen Liddell | May 1997 – July 1998 | |
| Patricia Hewitt | July 1998 – May 1999 | ||
| Melanie Johnson | May 1999 – June 2001 | ||
| Minister of State for Trade & Competitiveness in Europe, (jointly with Trade & Industry) | Lord Simon of Highbury | May 1997 - July 1999 | |
| Foreign and Commonwealth Office | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Foreign Secretary | Robin Cook | May 1997 – June 2001 | |
| Minister of State for Foreign Affairs | Tony Lloyd | May 1997 – July 1999 | |
| John Battle | July 1999 – June 2001 | ||
| Minister of State for Europe | Doug Henderson | May 1997 – July 1998 | |
| Joyce Quin | July 1998 – July 1999 | ||
| Geoff Hoon | July 1999 – October 1999 | ||
| Keith Vaz | October 1999 – June 2001 | ||
| Minister of State for Africa | Derek Fatchett | May 1997 – May 1999 | |
| Geoff Hoon | May 1999 – July 1999 | ||
| Peter Hain | July 1999 – January 2001 | ||
| Brian Wilson | January 2001 – June 2001 | ||
| Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs | The Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean | May 1997 – June 1999 | |
| The Baroness Scotland of Asthal | June 1999 – June 2001 | ||
| Home Office | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Home Secretary | Jack Straw | May 1997 – June 2001 | |
| Minister of State for Home Affairs | Alun Michael | May 1997 – October 1998 | |
| Paul Boateng | October 1998 – June 2001 | ||
| Minister of State for Prisons | Joyce Quin | May 1997 – July 1998 | |
| The Lord Williams of Mostyn | July 1998 – July 1999 | ||
| Charles Clarke | July 1999 – June 2001 | ||
| Minister of State for Asylum and Immigration | Barbara Roche | July 1999 – June 2001 | |
| Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Home Affairs | The Lord Williams of Mostyn | May 1997 – July 1998 | |
| Kate Hoey | July 1998 – July 1999 | ||
| The Lord Bassam of Brighton | July 1999 – June 2001 | ||
| Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Immigration | Mike O'Brien | May 1997 – June 2001 | |
| Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Prisons, Drugs & Elections | George Howarth | May 1997 - July 1999 | |
| Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food | Jack Cunningham | May 1997 – July 1998 | |
| Nick Brown | July 1998 – June 2001 | ||
| Minister of State for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food | Jeff Rooker | May 1997 – July 1999 | |
| Joyce Quin | July 1999 – June 2001 | ||
| Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Fisheries and the Countryside | Elliot Morley | May 1997 – June 2001 | |
| Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Farming & the Food Industry | Lord Donoughue | May 1997 - July 1999 | |
| Baroness Hayman | July 1999 - June 2001 | ||
| Defence | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Secretary of State for Defence | George Robertson | May 1997 – October 1999 | |
| Geoff Hoon | October 1999 – June 2001 | ||
| Minister of State for the Armed Forces | John Reid | May 1997 – July 1998 | |
| Doug Henderson | July 1998 – July 1999 | ||
| John Spellar | July 1999 – June 2001 | ||
| Minister of State for Defence Procurement | The Lord Gilbert | May 1997 – July 1999 | |
| The Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean | July 1999 – June 2001 | ||
| Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence | John Spellar | May 1997 – July 1999 | |
| Peter Kilfoyle | July 1999 – January 2000 | ||
| Lewis Moonie | January 2000 – June 2001 | ||
| Department for Education and Employment | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Secretary of State for Education and Employment | David Blunkett | May 1997 – June 2001 | |
| Minister of State for School Standards | Stephen Byers | May 1997 – July 1998 | |
| Estelle Morris | July 1998 – June 2001 | ||
| Minister of State for Employment and Disability Rights | Andrew Smith | May 1997 – October 1999 | |
| Tessa Jowell (Deputy Minister for Women) | October 1999 – June 2001 | ||
| Minister of State | Baroness Blackstone | May 1997 - June 2001 | |
| Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Employment & Equal Opportunities | Alan Howarth, Baron Howarth of Newport | May 1997 - July 1998 | |
| Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Education and Employment | Estelle Morris | May 1997 – July 1998 | |
| George Mudie | July 1998 – July 1999 | ||
| Jacqui Smith | July 1999 – June 2001 | ||
| Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Lifelong Learning | Kim Howells | May 1997 - July 1998 | |
| Parliamentary Under Secretary of State | Margaret Hodge | July 1998 - June 2001 | |
| Charles Clarke | July 1998 - July 1999 | ||
| Malcolm Wicks | July 1999 - June 2001 | ||
| Michael Wills | July 1999 - June 2001 | ||
| Health | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Secretary of State for Health | Frank Dobson | May 1997 – October 1999 | |
| Alan Milburn | October 1999 – June 2001 | ||
| Minister of State for Health Services | Alan Milburn | May 1997 – December 1998 | |
| John Denham | December 1998 – June 2001 | ||
| Minister of State for Public Health | Tessa Jowell (Deputy Minister for Women July 1998 - October 1999) | May 1997 – October 1999 | |
| John Hutton | October 1999 – June 2001 | ||
| Minister of State | Baroness Jay of Paddington | May 1997 - July 1998 | |
| Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health | The Baroness Hayman | July 1998 – July 1999 | |
| Gisela Stuart | July 1999 – June 2001 | ||
| Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Social Care & Mental Health | Paul Boateng | May 1997 - October 1998 | |
| John Hutton | October 1998 - October 1999 | ||
| Yvette Cooper | October 1999 - June 2001 | ||
| Parliamentary Under Secretary of State | Lord Hunt of Kings Heath | January 1998 - June 2001 | |
| Department of Social Security | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Secretary of State for Social Security | Harriet Harman, (Minister for Women) | May 1997 – July 1998 | |
| Alistair Darling | July 1998 – June 2001 | ||
| Minister for Welfare Reform | Frank Field | May 1997 – July 1998 | |
| Minister of State for Pensions | John Denham | June 1998 – December 1998 | |
| Stephen Timms | January 1999 – July 1999 | ||
| Jeff Rooker | July 1999 – June 2001 | ||
| Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Social Security | Joan Ruddock (Deputy Minister for Women) | May 1997 – July 1998 | |
| Hugh Bayley | January 1999 – June 2001 | ||
| Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, Minister for Pensions | John Denham | May 1997 - June 1998 | |
| Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Income-related Benefits | Keith Bradley, Baron Bradley | May 1997 - July 1998 | |
| Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Child Benefit, Child Support & War Pensions | Baroness Hollis of Heigham | May 1997 - June 2001 | |
| Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Pensions | Stephen Timms | July 1998 -December 1998 | |
| Parliamentary Under Secretary of State | Angela Eagle | July 1998 -June 2001 | |
| Department of Culture, Media and Sport | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport | Chris Smith | May 1997 – June 2001 | |
| Minister for Film, Tourism and Broadcasting | Tom Clarke | May 1997 – July 1998 | |
| Janet Anderson | July 1998 – June 2001 | ||
| Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Arts | Mark Fisher | May 1997 – June 1998 | |
| Alan Howarth | June 1998 – June 2001 | ||
| Minister for Sport | Tony Banks, Baron Stratford | May 1997 - July 1999 | |
| Kate Hoey | July 1999 - June 2001 | ||
| Trade and Industry | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Margaret Beckett | May 1997 – July 1998 | ||
| Peter Mandelson | July 1998 – December 1998 | ||
| Stephen Byers | December 1998 – June 2001 | ||
| Minister of State for Trade and Industry | John Battle | May 1997 – July 1999 | |
| Minister of State for Trade | The Lord Clinton-Davis | May 1997 – July 1998 | |
| Brian Wilson | July 1998 – July 1999 | ||
| Richard Caborn | July 1999 – June 2001 | ||
| Minister of State for Competitiveness | Ian McCartney | May 1997 – July 1999 | |
| Minister of State for Small Business & E-Commerce | Patricia Hewitt | July 1999 - June 2001 | |
| Minister of State for Energy and Competitiveness in Europe (jointly with Treasury to July 1999) | The Lord Simon of Highbury | May 1997 – July 1999 | |
| Helen Liddell | July 1999 – January 2001 | ||
| Peter Hain | January 2001 – June 2001 | ||
| Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Trade and Industry | Nigel Griffiths | May 1997 – July 1998 | |
| Kim Howells | July 1998 – June 2001 | ||
| Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Small Firms, Trade & Industry | Barbara Roche | May 1997 - January 1999 | |
| Michael Wills | January 1999 - July 1999 | ||
| Alan Johnson | July 1999 - June 2001 | ||
| Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, Minister for Sciences | Lord Sainsbury of Turville | July 1998 - June 2001 | |
| Department of International Development | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Secretary of State for International Development | Clare Short | May 1997 – June 2001 | |
| Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for International Development | George Foulkes | May 1997 – January 2001 | |
| Chris Mullin | January 2001 – June 2001 | ||
| Lord Chancellors Department | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Lord Chancellor | Lord Irvine of Lairg | May 1997 - June 2001 | |
| Minister of State | Geoff Hoon | July 1998 - May 1999 | |
| Parliamentary Under Secretary of State | Geoff Hoon | May 1997 - July 1998 | |
| Keith Vaz | May - July 1999 | ||
| David Lock | July 1999 - June 2001 | ||
| Jane Kennedy | October 1999 - June 2001 | ||
| Lord Bach | November 2000 - June 2001 | ||
| Scottish Office | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Secretary of State for Scotland | Donald Dewar | May 1997 – May 1999 | |
| John Reid | May 1999 – January 2001 | ||
| Helen Liddell | January - June 2001 | ||
| Minister of State for Scotland | Henry McLeish | May 1997 – June 1999 | |
| Brian Wilson | May 1997 – July 1998 | ||
| Helen Liddell | July 1998 – May 1999 | ||
| Brian Wilson | July 1999 – January 2001 | ||
| George Foulkes | January - June 2001 | ||
| Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Scotland | Malcolm Chisholm | May 1997 – December 1997 | |
| Sam Galbraith | May 1997 – May 1999 | ||
| The Lord Sewel | May 1997 – July 1999 | ||
| Calum MacDonald | December 1997 – July 1999 | ||
| The Lord MacDonald of Tradeston | August 1998 – July 1999 | ||
| Wales Office | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Secretary of State for Wales | Ron Davies | May 1997 – October 1998 | |
| Alun Michael | October 1998 – July 1999 | ||
| Paul Murphy | July 1999 – June 2001 | ||
| Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Wales | Peter Hain | May 1997 – July 1999 | |
| Win Griffiths | May 1997 – July 1998 | ||
| Jon Owen Jones | July 1998 – July 1999 | ||
| David Hanson | July 1999 – June 2001 | ||
| Northern Ireland Office | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Secretary of State for Northern Ireland | Mo Mowlam | May 1997 – October 1999 | |
| Peter Mandelson | October 1999 – January 2001 | ||
| John Reid | January 2001 – June 2001 | ||
| Minister of State for Northern Ireland | Adam Ingram | May 1997 – June 2001 | |
| Paul Murphy, Baron Murphy of Torfaen | May 1997 - July 1999 | ||
| Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Northern Ireland | The Lord Dubs | May 1997 – December 1999 | |
| Tony Worthington | May 1997 – July 1998 | ||
| John McFall | July 1998 – December 1999 | ||
| George Howarth | July 1999 – June 2001 | ||
| Law Officers | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Attorney General for England and Wales | John Morris | May 1997 – July 1999 | |
| The Lord Williams of Mostyn | July 1999 – June 2001 | ||
| Solicitor General for England and Wales | The Lord Falconer of Thoroton | May 1997 – July 1998 | |
| Ross Cranston | July 1998 – June 2001 | ||
| Advocate General for Scotland | Lynda Clark | May 1999 – June 2001 | |
| Solicitor General for Scotland | Baron Boyd of Duncansby | May 1997 - February 2000 | |
| Baron Davidson of Glen Cova | February 2000 - June 2001 | ||
| Lord Advocate | Lord Hardie | May 1997 - February 2000 | |
| Baron Boyd of Duncansby | February 2000 - June 2001 | ||
| Parliament | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Ann Taylor | May 1997 – July 1998 | ||
| Margaret Beckett | July 1998 – June 2001 | ||
| Deputy Leader of the House of Commons | Paddy Tipping | December 1998 – June 2001 | |
| The Lord Richard | May 1997 – July 1998 | ||
| The Baroness Jay of Paddington, (Minister for Women) | July 1998 – June 2001 | ||
| Deputy Leader of the House of Lords | The Baroness Jay of Paddington | May 1997 – July 1998 | |
| The Lord Williams of Mostyn | October 1998 – June 2001 | ||
| Whips | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Nick Brown | May 1997 – July 1998 | ||
| Ann Taylor | July 1998 – June 2001 | ||
| George Mudie | May 1997 – July 1998 | ||
| Keith Bradley | July 1998 – June 2001 | ||
| Comptroller of the Household | Tommy McAvoy | May 1997 – June 2001 | |
| Vice-Chamberlain of the Household | Janet Anderson | May 1997 – July 1998 | |
| Graham Allen | July 1998 – June 2001 | ||
| Junior Lords of the Treasury Whips |
Bob Ainsworth | May 1997 - January 2001 | |
| Graham Allen | May 1997 - July 1998 | ||
| Jim Dowd | May 1997 - June 2001 | ||
| Baron McFall | May 1997 - July 1998 | ||
| Jon Owen Jones | May 1997 - July 1998 | ||
| Clive Betts | July 1998 - June 2001 | ||
| David Jamieson | July 1998 - June 2001 | ||
| Jane Kennedy | July 1998 - October 1999 | ||
| Greg Pope | November 1999 - June 2001 | ||
| David Clelland | February - June 2001 | ||
| Assistant Whips | Clive Betts | May 1997 -July 1998 | |
| David Clelland | May 1997 - February 2001 | ||
| Kevin Hughes | May 1997 - June 2001 | ||
| David Jamieson | May 1997 - July 1998 | ||
| Jane Kennedy | May 1997 - July 1998 | ||
| Greg Pope | May 1997 - November 1999 | ||
| Bridget Prentice | May 1997 - July 1998 | ||
| Anne McGuire | July 1998 - May 2001 | ||
| David Hanson | July 1998 - July 1999 | ||
| Mike Hall | July 1998 - June 2001 | ||
| Keith Hill | July 1998 - July 1999 | ||
| Gerry Sutcliffe | July 1999 - June 2001 | ||
| Tony McNulty | October 1999 - May 2001 | ||
| Don Touhig | November 1999 - June 2001 | ||
| Ian Pearson | February - June 2001 | ||
| The Lord Carter | May 1997 – June 2001 | ||
| The Lord McIntosh of Haringey | May 1997 – June 2001 | ||
| Lord Haskel | May 1997 - July 1998 | ||
| Lord Whitty | May 1997 - July 1998 | ||
| Lord Hoyle | May 1997 - April 1999 | ||
| Baroness Gould of Potternewton | May 1997 - July 1998 | ||
| Baroness Farrington of Ribbleton | May 1997 - June 2001 | ||
| Lord Hunt of Kings Heath | July 1998 - July 1999 | ||
| Baroness Amos | July 1998 - June 2001 | ||
| Baroness Ramsay of Cartvale | July 1998 - June 2001 | ||
| Lord Burlison | January 1999 - June 2000 | ||
| Lord Bach | July 1999 - November 2000 | ||
| Lord Davies of Oldham | July 2000 - June 2001 | ||
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