John Moore, Baron Moore of Lower Marsh
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John Edward Michael Moore, Baron Moore of Lower Marsh, PC (born November 26, 1937), is a British politician who was Member of Parliament for Croydon Central, and under Margaret Thatcher was a cabinet minister. For a time he was considered a rising star of the Conservative Party and a potential leadership contender.
Moore entered Parliament in 1974, after a successful business career and education at the London School of Economics. He joined Margaret Thatcher's Cabinet in 1986 as Secretary of State for Transport. The following year he was tasked with setting direction for the National Health Service (NHS) as Secretary of State for Social Services. After he took office on June 13, 1987 the Labour Party attacked him as Mr. Privatisation for attempting to bring market forces into the service, and accused him of trying to abolish the NHS. The Liberals joined the fray, accusing him of having no original ideas. His efforts in this area were largely ineffective. Then an illness caused him to lose his voice. He even fainted once in a Cabinet meeting. On July 25, 1988, Kenneth Clarke took over his Health Service responsibilities, and after a further year handling Social Security, he fell into obscurity.
Moore has since established a successful third career as non-executive chairman and director of a number of major enterprises, including Rolls Royce plc. He has recently retired as Chairman of the Monitor Group, Europe.
After leaving the Commons in 1992 Moore became a Life peer as Baron Moore of Lower Marsh, of Lower Marsh in the London Borough of Lambeth.
Parliament of the United Kingdom | ||
---|---|---|
Preceded by New seat |
Member of Parliament for Croydon Central 1974–1992 |
Succeeded by Paul Beresford |
Political offices | ||
Preceded by Jock Bruce-Gardyne |
Economic Secretary to the Treasury 1983 |
Succeeded by Ian Stewart |
Preceded by Nicholas Ridley |
Financial Secretary to the Treasury 1983–1986 |
Succeeded by Norman Lamont |
Preceded by Nicholas Ridley |
Secretary of State for Transport 1986–1987 |
Succeeded by Paul Channon |
Preceded by Norman Fowler |
Secretary of State for Social Services (inc. Health) 1987–1988 |
Succeeded by Secretary of State for Health Kenneth Clarke |
Secretary of State for Social Security 1987–1989 |
Succeeded by Tony Newton |