Kenneth Baker, Baron Baker of Dorking
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| The Right Honourable Kenneth Baker Baron Baker of Dorking, PC |
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| In office 28 November 1990 – 11 April 1992 |
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| Prime Minister | John Major |
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| Preceded by | David Waddington |
| Succeeded by | Kenneth Clarke |
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| In office 24 July 1989 – 28 November 1990 |
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| Prime Minister | Margaret Thatcher |
| Preceded by | Tony Newton |
| Succeeded by | Chris Patten |
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| In office 24 July 1989 – 28 November 1990 |
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| Preceded by | Peter Brooke |
| Succeeded by | Chris Patten |
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| In office 21 May 1986 – 24 July 1989 |
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| Preceded by | Keith Joseph |
| Succeeded by | John MacGregor |
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| In office 2 September 1985 – 21 May 1986 |
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| Preceded by | Patrick Jenkin |
| Succeeded by | Nicholas Ridley |
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| Born | November 3, 1934 Hampton, London, UK |
| Political party | Conservative |
Kenneth Wilfrid Baker, Baron Baker of Dorking, CH, PC (born 3 November 1934), is a British politician, a former Conservative MP and a Life Member of the Tory Reform Group.
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[edit] Early life
Son of a civil servant, he was educated at the former Hampton Grammar School, a boys' voluntary aided school, now Hampton School, an independent school, between 1946 and 1948, and thereafter at St Paul's School, a boys' independent school in Barnes, London and at Magdalen College, Oxford where he graduated with a BA Degree in History (1958). He did National Service as an army lieutenant and worked for Royal Dutch Shell before being elected as a Member of Parliament at a by-election in March 1968.[1]
[edit] In the government
After being Minister for Information Technology from 1981, he entered the Cabinet as Secretary of State for the Environment in 1985, before serving as Secretary of State for Education from 1986 to 1989. Baker's most noted action in his time at the Department of Education was the introduction of the controversial "National Curriculum" through the 1988 Education Act. He also introduced in-service training days for teachers, which became popularly known as "Baker days".
He was Chairman of the Conservative Party at the time Margaret Thatcher resigned (November 1990), and after the change of regime was promoted to Secretary of State for the Home Department. His time as Secretary of State for the Home Department was marred by prison riots and bad publicity over the introduction of the Dangerous Dogs Act. During this time Baker, who wore brylcreem in his hair, came to be portrayed by the satirical programme "Spitting Image" as an oily snail.
[edit] Retirement
After the 1992 General Election he left the government rather than accept demotion to the job of Welsh Secretary. He chose not to run for re-election in 1997 and was made a life peer as Baron Baker of Dorking, in the County of Surrey.
[edit] Personal life
In 2005 he published a book on King George IV, George IV: A Life in Caricature, followed by King George III: A Life in Caricature in 2007;(Thames & Hudson). Other publications include several compilations of poetry, a history of political cartoons and his autobiography.
In 2006, Lord Baker announced that he was introducing a bill into the House of Lords to address the West Lothian question. This would prevent Scottish and Welsh MPs from voting on legislation which affects England alone as a result of devolution to the Scottish Parliament or the Welsh Assembly.
[edit] Notes
- 1 He was elected at the Acton by-election on 28 March 1968, serving until the 1970 general election. He was elected at a by-election in St Marylebone on 22 October 1970, serving until the 1983 general election, when he moved to the seat of Mole Valley, which he represented until the 1997 general election.
| Parliament of the United Kingdom | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Bernard Floud |
Member of Parliament for Acton 1968–1970 |
Succeeded by Nigel Spearing |
| Preceded by Quintin Hogg |
Member of Parliament for St. Marylebone 1970–1983 |
Succeeded by Constituency abolished |
| Preceded by Constituency created |
Member of Parliament for Mole Valley 1983–1997 |
Succeeded by Sir Paul Beresford |
| Political offices | ||
| Preceded by Patrick Jenkin |
Secretary of State for the Environment 1985–1986 |
Succeeded by Nicholas Ridley |
| Preceded by Sir Keith Joseph |
Secretary of State for Education and Science 1986–1989 |
Succeeded by John MacGregor |
| Preceded by Peter Brooke |
Chairman of the Conservative Party 1989–1990 |
Succeeded by Chris Patten |
| Preceded by Tony Newton |
Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster 1989–1990 |
Succeeded by Chris Patten |
| Preceded by David Waddington |
Home Secretary 1990–1992 |
Succeeded by Kenneth Clarke |
