This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations .(June 2017) |
First Blair ministry | |
|---|---|
| Cabinet of the United Kingdom | |
| 1997–2001 | |
| Blair in May 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 |
| 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 |
| ||
|---|---|---|
Leader of the Opposition Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Policies Appointments First ministry and term (May 1997 – June 2001)
Second ministry and term (June 2001 – May 2005)
Third ministry and term (May 2005 – June 2007)
Post–Prime Minister | ||
| | ||
The first Blair ministry lasted from May 1997 to June 2001. Following 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.
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| 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 | ||
| Charlie Falconer, Baron Falconer of Thoroton | July 1998 - June 2001 | ||
| Parliamentary Under Secretary of state | Graham Stringer | November 1999 - June 2001 | |
| Lord High Chancellor of Great Britain | Derry Irvine, Baron 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) | David Simon, Baron 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 | Elizabeth Symons, Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean | May 1997 – June 1999 | |
| Patricia Scotland, 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 | |
| Gareth Williams, Baron 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 | Gareth Williams, Baron Williams of Mostyn | May 1997 – July 1998 | |
| Kate Hoey | July 1998 – July 1999 | ||
| Steve Bassam, Baron 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 | Bernard Donoughue, Baron Donoughue | May 1997 - July 1999 | |
| Helene Hayman, 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 | John Gilbert, Baron Gilbert | May 1997 – July 1999 | |
| Elizabeth Symons, 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 | Tessa Blackstone, 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 | Margaret Jay, Baroness Jay of Paddington | May 1997 - July 1998 | |
| Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health | Helene Hayman, 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 | Philip Hunt, Baron 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 | Patricia Hollis, 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 | Stanley Clinton-Davis, Baron 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) | David Simon, Baron 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 | David Sainsbury, Baron 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 | Derry Irvine, Baron 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 | ||
| Willy Bach, Baron 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 | ||
| John Sewel, Baron Sewel | May 1997 – July 1999 | ||
| Calum MacDonald | December 1997 – July 1999 | ||
| Gus Macdonald, Baron 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 | Alf Dubs, Baron 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 | |
| Gareth Williams, Baron Williams of Mostyn | July 1999 – June 2001 | ||
| Solicitor General for England and Wales | Charlie Falconer, Baron 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 | Colin Boyd, Baron Boyd of Duncansby | May 1997 - February 2000 | |
| Neil Davidson, Baron Davidson of Glen Clova | February 2000 - June 2001 | ||
| Lord Advocate | Andrew Hardie, Baron Hardie | May 1997 - February 2000 | |
| Colin Boyd, 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 | |
| Ivor Richard, Baron Richard | May 1997 – July 1998 | ||
| Margaret Jay, Baroness Jay of Paddington, (Minister for Women) | July 1998 – June 2001 | ||
| Deputy Leader of the House of Lords | Margaret Jay, Baroness Jay of Paddington | May 1997 – July 1998 | |
| Gareth Williams, Baron 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 | ||
| John McFall, Baron McFall of Alcluith | 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 | ||
| Denis Carter, Baron Carter | May 1997 – June 2001 | ||
| Andrew McIntosh, Baron McIntosh of Haringey | May 1997 – June 2001 | ||
| Simon Haskel, Baron Haskel | May 1997 - July 1998 | ||
| Larry Whitty, Baron Whitty | May 1997 - July 1998 | ||
| Doug Hoyle, Baron Hoyle | May 1997 - April 1999 | ||
| Joyce Gould, Baroness Gould of Potternewton | May 1997 - July 1998 | ||
| Josie Farrington, Baroness Farrington of Ribbleton | May 1997 - June 2001 | ||
| Philip Hunt, Baron Hunt of Kings Heath | July 1998 - July 1999 | ||
| Valerie Amos, Baroness Amos | July 1998 - June 2001 | ||
| Meta Ramsay, Baroness Ramsay of Cartvale | July 1998 - June 2001 | ||
| Tom Burlison, Baron Burlison | January 1999 - June 2000 | ||
| Willy Bach, Baron Bach | July 1999 - November 2000 | ||
| Bryan Davies, Baron Davies of Oldham | July 2000 - June 2001 | ||