John Patten, Baron Patten
The Right Honourable The Lord Patten PC | |
---|---|
Secretary of State for Education | |
In office 10 April 1992 – 20 July 1994 | |
Prime Minister | John Major |
Preceded by | Kenneth Clarke (Education and Science) |
Succeeded by | Gillian Shephard |
Minister of State for Home Affairs | |
In office 13 June 1987 – 10 April 1992 | |
Prime Minister |
Margaret Thatcher John Major |
Preceded by | David Mellor |
Succeeded by | Peter Lloyd |
Minister of State for Housing | |
In office 2 September 1985 – 13 June 1987 | |
Prime Minister | Margaret Thatcher |
Preceded by | Ian Gow |
Succeeded by | The Hon. William Waldegrave |
Member of Parliament for Oxford West and Abingdon Oxford (1979–1983) | |
In office 3 May 1979 – 1 May 1997 | |
Preceded by | Evan Luard |
Succeeded by | Evan Harris |
Personal details | |
Born | 17 July 1945 |
Political party | Conservative |
Alma mater | Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge |
John Haggitt Charles Patten, Baron Patten, PC (born 17 July 1945) is a former Conservative Member of Parliament for Oxford West and Abingdon.
Early life
A Roman Catholic, he was educated by the Jesuits at Wimbledon College before graduating from Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge.
Parliamentary career
He was first elected for Oxford in 1979, transferring to Oxford West and Abingdon in 1983 after boundary changes divided the seat. He stood down at the 1997 general election. The seat was subsequently won by the Liberal Democrat Evan Harris.
Patten was offered the role as Secretary of State for Northern Ireland by Margaret Thatcher but refused.[1]
Patten served as Secretary of State for Education from 1992 to 1994. He was interviewed at some length by Brian Sherratt in 1994 regarding his role as Secretary of State.[2] While he was Education Secretary, Patten described Birmingham education chief Tim Brighouse as "a madman ... wandering the streets, frightening the children." Brighouse sued, and won substantial damages which were donated to educational charities.[3]
House of Lords
Patten was created a life peer as Baron Patten of Wincanton in the County of Somerset on 17 June 1997.[4]
Family
He is married to the businesswoman Louise Patten and they have one daughter, Mary-Claire.[5]
References
- ↑ Michael White. "David Cameron's cabinet reshuffle: gossip, guesswork and predictions". the Guardian.
- ↑ Radical Educational Policies and Conservative Secretaries of State, Ribbins P and Sherratt B, Cassell, 1997, pp 168-199
- ↑ "The secrets of Saint Tim", The Guardian, 24 April 2007
- ↑ "No. 54812". The London Gazette. 20 June 1997. p. 7187.
- ↑ Louise Patten, Evening Standard, 27 August 2009
External links
- Hansard 1803–2005: contributions in Parliament by John Patten
Parliament of the United Kingdom | ||
---|---|---|
Preceded by Evan Luard |
Member of Parliament for Oxford 1979–1983 |
Constituency abolished |
New constituency | Member of Parliament for Oxford West and Abingdon 1983–1997 |
Succeeded by Evan Harris |
Political offices | ||
Preceded by Kenneth Clarke as Secretary of State for Education and Science |
Secretary of State for Education 1992–1994 |
Succeeded by Gillian Shephard |