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First Blair ministry

1997–2001 United Kingdom government

Field	Value
cabinet_name	First Blair ministry
incumbent	1997–2001
image	File:Tony Blair 1997.jpg
caption	Blair in May 1997
date_formed
date_dissolved
government_head_title	Prime Minister
government_head	Tony Blair
government_head_history	Premiership of Tony Blair
deputy_government_head	John Prescott
state_head_title	Monarch
state_head	Elizabeth II
political_party
legislature_status	Majority
legislature_term	52nd UK Parliament
election	1997 general election
last_election	2001 general election
budget	{{unbulleted list
opposition_cabinet	{{unbulleted list
opposition_party
opposition_leader	{{unbulleted list
previous	Second Major ministry
successor	Second Blair ministry
flag	Royal Coat of Arms of the United Kingdom (HM Government) (St Edwards Crown).svg
flag_border	false
jurisdiction	United Kingdom

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.

Cabinet

Portfolio	Minister	Term
Cabinet ministers
Prime Minister
First Lord of the Treasury
Minister for the Civil Service	Tony Blair	1997–2007
Deputy Prime Minister	John Prescott	1997–2007
Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions	1997–2001
Chancellor of the Exchequer
Second Lord of the Treasury	Gordon Brown	1997–2007
Lord High Chancellor of Great Britain	Derry Irvine, Baron Irvine of Lairg	1997–2003
Leader of the House of Commons
Lord President of the Council	Ann Taylor	1997–1998
Margaret Beckett	1998–2001
Leader of the House of Lords
Lord Keeper of the Privy Seal	Ivor Richard	1997–1998
Margaret Jay, Baroness Jay of Paddington	1998–2001
Chief Secretary to the Treasury	Alistair Darling	1997–1998
Stephen Byers	1998
Alan Milburn	1998–1999
Andrew Smith	1999–2002
Minister for the Cabinet Office
Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster	David Clark	1997–1998
Jack Cunningham	1998–1999
Mo Mowlam	1999–2001
Foreign Secretary	Robin Cook	1997–2001
Home Secretary	Jack Straw	1997–2001
Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food	Jack Cunningham	1997–1998
Nick Brown	1998–2001
Secretary of State for Health	Frank Dobson	1997–1999
Alan Milburn	1999–2003
Secretary of State for Defence	George Robertson	1997–1999
Geoff Hoon	1999–2005
Secretary of State for Social Security	Harriet Harman	1997–1998
Alistair Darling	1998–2001
Secretary of State for Education and Employment	David Blunkett	1997–2001
Secretary of State for Trade and Industry
President of the Board of Trade	Margaret Beckett	1997–1998
Peter Mandelson	1998
Stephen Byers	1998–2001
Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport	Chris Smith	1997–2001
Secretary of State for International Development	Clare Short	1997–2003
Secretary of State for Northern Ireland	Mo Mowlam	1997–1999
Peter Mandelson	1999–2001
John Reid	2001–2002
Secretary of State for Scotland	Donald Dewar	1997–1999
John Reid	1999–2001
Helen Liddell	2001–2003
Secretary of State for Wales	Ron Davies	1997–1998
Alun Michael	1998–1999
Paul Murphy	1999–2002
Minister of State for Transport	Gavin Strang	1997–1998
Minister Without Portfolio	Peter Mandelson	1997–1998
Also attending cabinet meetings
Chief Whip	Nick Brown	1997–1998
Ann Taylor	1998–2001
Attorney General for England and Wales	John Morris	1997–1999
Gareth Williams, Baron Williams of Mostyn	1999–2001

Changes

July 1998 – 1999 British cabinet reshuffle
October 1998 – Alun Michael becomes Welsh Secretary. Ron Davies leaves the Cabinet.
December 1998 – Peter Mandelson is dismissed from the cabinet over a secret home loan he received from Geoffrey Robinson. Stephen Byers becomes Trade & Industry Secretary. Alan Milburn becomes Chief Secretary to the Treasury.
May 1999 – John Reid becomes Scottish Secretary. Donald Dewar leaves the cabinet.
July 1999 – Paul Murphy becomes Welsh Secretary. Alun Michael leaves the cabinet.
October 1999 – Andrew Smith becomes Chief Secretary to the Treasury. Geoff Hoon becomes Defence Secretary. Alan Milburn becomes Health Secretary. Peter Mandelson returns to the cabinet as Northern Ireland Secretary. Mo Mowlam becomes Cabinet Office Minister and Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster. Gareth Williams becomes Attorney General. John Morris, George Robertson, Jack Cunningham and Frank Dobson leave the cabinet.
January 2001 – Peter Mandelson is dismissed as Northern Ireland Secretary and is succeeded by John Reid. Helen Liddell enters the cabinet and succeeds John Reid as Scottish Secretary.

List of ministers

Prime Minister, the Cabinet Office and non-departmental ministers

Cabinet Office	Tony Blair	John Prescott	David Clark	Jack Cunningham	Mo Mowlam	Derek Foster	Peter Kilfoyle	Ian McCartney	Charlie Falconer, Baron Falconer of Thoroton	Graham Stringer	Derry Irvine, Baron Irvine of Lairg	Peter Mandelson	Ann Coffey	Bruce Grocott
	May 1997 – June 2001
Deputy Prime Minister	May 1997 – June 2001
	May 1997 – July 1998
July 1998 – October 1999
October 1999 – June 2001
[](cabinet-office)	May 1997
May 1997 – July 1999
July 1999 – June 2001
July 1998 - June 2001
Parliamentary Secretary to the Cabinet Office	November 1999 - June 2001
Lord High Chancellor of Great Britain	May 1997 – June 2001
Minister Without Portfolio	May 1997 – July 1998
Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Prime Minister	May 1997 – July 1998
May 1997 – June 2001

Departments of state

Treasury	Gordon Brown	Alistair Darling	Stephen Byers	Alan Milburn	Andrew Smith	Geoffrey Robinson	Dawn Primarolo	Dawn Primarolo	Barbara Roche	Stephen Timms	Helen Liddell	Patricia Hewitt	Melanie Johnson	David Simon, Baron Simon of Highbury
Chancellor of the Exchequer	May 1997 – June 2001
Chief Secretary to the Treasury	May 1997 – July 1998
July 1998 – December 1998
December 1998 – October 1999
October 1999 – June 2001
Paymaster General	May 1997 – December 1998
January 1999 – June 2001
Financial Secretary to the Treasury	May 1997 – January 1999
January 1999 – July 1999
July 1999 – June 2001
Economic Secretary to the Treasury	May 1997 – July 1998
July 1998 – May 1999
May 1999 – June 2001
Minister of State for Trade & Competitiveness in Europe, (jointly with Trade & Industry)	May 1997 - July 1999

Foreign and Commonwealth Office	Robin Cook	Tony Lloyd	John Battle	Doug Henderson	Joyce Quin	Geoff Hoon	Keith Vaz	Derek Fatchett	Geoff Hoon	Peter Hain	Brian Wilson	Elizabeth Symons, Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean	Patricia Scotland, Baroness Scotland of Asthal
Foreign Secretary	May 1997 – June 2001
Minister of State for Foreign Affairs	May 1997 – July 1999
July 1999 – June 2001
Minister of State for Europe	May 1997 – July 1998
July 1998 – July 1999
July 1999 – October 1999
October 1999 – June 2001
Minister of State for Africa	May 1997 – May 1999
May 1999 – July 1999
July 1999 – January 2001
January 2001 – June 2001
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs	May 1997 – June 1999
June 1999 – June 2001

Home Office	Jack Straw	Alun Michael	Paul Boateng	Joyce Quin	Gareth Williams, Baron Williams of Mostyn	Charles Clarke	Barbara Roche	Gareth Williams, Baron Williams of Mostyn	Kate Hoey	Steve Bassam, Baron Bassam of Brighton	Mike O'Brien	George Howarth
Home Secretary	May 1997 – June 2001
Minister of State for Home Affairs	May 1997 – October 1998
October 1998 – June 2001
Minister of State for Prisons	May 1997 – July 1998
July 1998 – July 1999
July 1999 – June 2001
Minister of State for Asylum and Immigration	July 1999 – June 2001
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Home Affairs	May 1997 – July 1998
July 1998 – July 1999
July 1999 – June 2001
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Immigration	May 1997 – June 2001
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Prisons, Drugs & Elections	May 1997 - July 1999

Department of Environment, Transport and the Regions	John Prescott	Michael Meacher	Gavin Strang	John Reid	Helen Liddell	Gus Macdonald, Baron Macdonald of Tradeston	Hilary Armstrong	Nick Raynsford	Richard Caborn	Nick Raynsford	Nick Raynsford	Keith Hill	Hilary Armstrong	Glenda Jackson	Keith Hill	Helene Hayman, Baroness Hayman	Larry Whitty, Baron Whitty	Nick Raynsford	Angela Eagle	Alan Meale	Chris Mullin	Bob Ainsworth	Beverley Hughes
Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions	May 1997 – June 2001
Minister of State for the Environment	May 1997 – June 2001
Minister of State for Transport	May 1997 – June 1998
June 1998 – May 1999
May 1999 – July 1999
July 1999 – June 2001
Minister of State for Housing and Planning	May 1997 – July 1999
July 1999 – June 2001
Minister of State for the Regions	May 1997 – July 1999
July 1999 – June 2001
Minister for London	May 1997 – July 1999
July 1999 – June 2001
Minister of State for Local Government, Regions	May 1997 - June 2001
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport	May 1997 – July 1999
July 1999 – June 2001
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Roads	May 1997 – July 1998
July 1998 – June 2001
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Construction	May 1997 – July 1999
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Energy, Environment & the Regions	May 1997 - July 1998
July 1998 - July 1999
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State	July 1999 - January 2001
January - June 2001
July 1999 - June 2001

Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food	Jack Cunningham	Nick Brown	Jeff Rooker	Joyce Quin	Elliot Morley	Bernard Donoughue, Baron Donoughue	Helene Hayman, Baroness Hayman
Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food	May 1997 – July 1998
July 1998 – June 2001
Minister of State for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food	May 1997 – July 1999
July 1999 – June 2001
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Fisheries and the Countryside	May 1997 – June 2001
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Farming & the Food Industry	May 1997 - July 1999
July 1999 - June 2001

Defence	George Robertson	Geoff Hoon	John Reid	Doug Henderson	John Spellar	John Gilbert, Baron Gilbert	Elizabeth Symons, Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean	John Spellar	Peter Kilfoyle	Lewis Moonie
Secretary of State for Defence	May 1997 – October 1999
October 1999 – June 2001
Minister of State for the Armed Forces	May 1997 – July 1998
July 1998 – July 1999
July 1999 – June 2001
Minister of State for Defence Procurement	May 1997 – July 1999
July 1999 – June 2001
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence	May 1997 – July 1999
July 1999 – January 2000
January 2000 – June 2001

Department for Education and Employment	David Blunkett	Stephen Byers	Estelle Morris	Andrew Smith	Tessa Jowell (Deputy Minister for Women)	Tessa Blackstone, Baroness Blackstone	Alan Howarth, Baron Howarth of Newport	Estelle Morris	George Mudie	Jacqui Smith	Kim Howells	Margaret Hodge	Charles Clarke	Malcolm Wicks	Michael Wills
Secretary of State for Education and Employment	May 1997 – June 2001
Minister of State for School Standards	May 1997 – July 1998
July 1998 – June 2001
Minister of State for Employment and Disability Rights	May 1997 – October 1999
October 1999 – June 2001
Minister of State	May 1997 - June 2001
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Employment & Equal Opportunities	May 1997 - July 1998
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Education and Employment	May 1997 – July 1998
July 1998 – July 1999
July 1999 – June 2001
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Lifelong Learning	May 1997 - July 1998
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State	July 1998 - June 2001
July 1998 - July 1999
July 1999 - June 2001
July 1999 - June 2001

Health	Frank Dobson	Alan Milburn	Alan Milburn	John Denham	Tessa Jowell (Deputy Minister for Women July 1998 - October 1999)	John Hutton	Margaret Jay, Baroness Jay of Paddington	Helene Hayman, Baroness Hayman	Gisela Stuart	Paul Boateng	John Hutton	Yvette Cooper	Philip Hunt, Baron Hunt of Kings Heath
Secretary of State for Health	May 1997 – October 1999
October 1999 – June 2001
Minister of State for Health Services	May 1997 – December 1998
December 1998 – June 2001
Minister of State for Public Health	May 1997 – October 1999
October 1999 – June 2001
Minister of State	May 1997 - July 1998
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health	July 1998 – July 1999
July 1999 – June 2001
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Social Care & Mental Health	May 1997 - October 1998
October 1998 - October 1999
October 1999 - June 2001
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State	January 1998 - June 2001

Department of Social Security	Harriet Harman, (Minister for Women)	Alistair Darling	Frank Field	John Denham	Stephen Timms	Jeff Rooker	Joan Ruddock (Deputy Minister for Women)	Hugh Bayley	John Denham	Keith Bradley, Baron Bradley	Patricia Hollis, Baroness Hollis of Heigham	Stephen Timms	Angela Eagle
Secretary of State for Social Security	May 1997 – July 1998
July 1998 – June 2001
Minister for Welfare Reform	May 1997 – July 1998
Minister of State for Pensions	June 1998 – December 1998
January 1999 – July 1999
July 1999 – June 2001
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Social Security	May 1997 – July 1998
January 1999 – June 2001
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, Minister for Pensions	May 1997 - June 1998
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Income-related Benefits	May 1997 - July 1998
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Child Benefit, Child Support & War Pensions	May 1997 - June 2001
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Pensions	July 1998 -December 1998
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State	July 1998 -June 2001

Department of Culture, Media and Sport	Chris Smith	Tom Clarke	Janet Anderson	Mark Fisher	Alan Howarth	Tony Banks, Baron Stratford	Kate Hoey
Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport	May 1997 – June 2001
Minister for Film, Tourism and Broadcasting	May 1997 – July 1998
July 1998 – June 2001
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Arts	May 1997 – June 1998
June 1998 – June 2001
Minister for Sport	May 1997 - July 1999
July 1999 - June 2001

Trade and Industry	Margaret Beckett	Peter Mandelson	Stephen Byers	John Battle	Stanley Clinton-Davis, Baron Clinton-Davis	Brian Wilson	Richard Caborn	Ian McCartney	Patricia Hewitt	David Simon, Baron Simon of Highbury	Helen Liddell	Peter Hain	Nigel Griffiths	Kim Howells	Barbara Roche	Michael Wills	Alan Johnson	David Sainsbury, Baron Sainsbury of Turville
	May 1997 – July 1998
July 1998 – December 1998
December 1998 – June 2001
Minister of State for Trade and Industry	May 1997 – July 1999
Minister of State for Trade	May 1997 – July 1998
July 1998 – July 1999
July 1999 – June 2001
Minister of State for Competitiveness	May 1997 – July 1999
Minister of State for Small Business & E-Commerce	July 1999 - June 2001
Minister of State for Energy and Competitiveness in Europe (jointly with Treasury to July 1999)	May 1997 – July 1999
July 1999 – January 2001
January 2001 – June 2001
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Trade and Industry	May 1997 – July 1998
July 1998 – June 2001
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Small Firms, Trade & Industry	May 1997 - January 1999
January 1999 - July 1999
July 1999 - June 2001
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, Minister for Sciences	July 1998 - June 2001

Department of International Development	Clare Short	George Foulkes	Chris Mullin
Secretary of State for International Development	May 1997 – June 2001
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for International Development	May 1997 – January 2001
January 2001 – June 2001

Lord Chancellors Department	Derry Irvine, Baron Irvine of Lairg	Geoff Hoon	Geoff Hoon	Keith Vaz	David Lock	Jane Kennedy	Willy Bach, Baron Bach
Lord Chancellor	May 1997 - June 2001
Minister of State	July 1998 - May 1999
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State	May 1997 - July 1998
May - July 1999
July 1999 - June 2001
October 1999 - June 2001
November 2000 - June 2001

Scottish Office	Donald Dewar	John Reid	Helen Liddell	Henry McLeish	Brian Wilson	Helen Liddell	Brian Wilson	George Foulkes	Malcolm Chisholm	Sam Galbraith	John Sewel, Baron Sewel	Calum MacDonald	Gus Macdonald, Baron MacDonald of Tradeston
Secretary of State for Scotland	May 1997 – May 1999
May 1999 – January 2001
January - June 2001
Minister of State for Scotland	May 1997 – June 1999
May 1997 – July 1998
July 1998 – May 1999
July 1999 – January 2001
January - June 2001
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Scotland	May 1997 – December 1997
May 1997 – May 1999
May 1997 – July 1999
December 1997 – July 1999
August 1998 – July 1999

Wales Office	Ron Davies	Alun Michael	Paul Murphy	Peter Hain	Win Griffiths	Jon Owen Jones	David Hanson
Secretary of State for Wales	May 1997 – October 1998
October 1998 – July 1999
July 1999 – June 2001
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Wales	May 1997 – July 1999
May 1997 – July 1998
July 1998 – July 1999
July 1999 – June 2001

Northern Ireland Office	Mo Mowlam	Peter Mandelson	John Reid	Adam Ingram	Paul Murphy, Baron Murphy of Torfaen	Alf Dubs, Baron Dubs	Tony Worthington	John McFall	George Howarth
Secretary of State for Northern Ireland	May 1997 – October 1999
October 1999 – January 2001
January 2001 – June 2001
Minister of State for Northern Ireland	May 1997 – June 2001
May 1997 - July 1999
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Northern Ireland	May 1997 – December 1999
May 1997 – July 1998
July 1998 – December 1999
July 1999 – June 2001

Law officers

Law Officers	John Morris	Gareth Williams, Baron Williams of Mostyn	Charlie Falconer, Baron Falconer of Thoroton	Ross Cranston	Lynda Clark	Colin Boyd, Baron Boyd of Duncansby	Neil Davidson, Baron Davidson of Glen Clova	Andrew Hardie, Baron Hardie	Colin Boyd, Baron Boyd of Duncansby
Attorney General for England and Wales	May 1997 – July 1999
July 1999 – June 2001
Solicitor General for England and Wales	May 1997 – July 1998
July 1998 – June 2001
Advocate General for Scotland	May 1999 – June 2001
Solicitor General for Scotland	May 1997 - February 2000
February 2000 - June 2001
Lord Advocate	May 1997 - February 2000
February 2000 - June 2001

Parliament

Parliament	Ann Taylor	Margaret Beckett	Paddy Tipping	Ivor Richard, Baron Richard	Margaret Jay, Baroness Jay of Paddington, (Minister for Women)	Margaret Jay, Baroness Jay of Paddington	Gareth Williams, Baron Williams of Mostyn
	May 1997 – July 1998
July 1998 – June 2001
Deputy Leader of the House of Commons	December 1998 – June 2001
	May 1997 – July 1998
July 1998 – June 2001
Deputy Leader of the House of Lords	May 1997 – July 1998
October 1998 – June 2001

Whips

Whips	Nick Brown	Ann Taylor	George Mudie	Keith Bradley	Tommy McAvoy	Janet Anderson	Graham Allen	Bob Ainsworth	Graham Allen	Jim Dowd	John McFall, Baron McFall of Alcluith	Jon Owen Jones	Clive Betts	David Jamieson	Jane Kennedy	Greg Pope	David Clelland	Clive Betts	David Clelland	Kevin Hughes	David Jamieson	Jane Kennedy	Greg Pope	Bridget Prentice	Anne McGuire	David Hanson	Mike Hall	Keith Hill	Gerry Sutcliffe	Tony McNulty	Don Touhig	Ian Pearson	Denis Carter, Baron Carter	Andrew McIntosh, Baron McIntosh of Haringey	Simon Haskel, Baron Haskel	Larry Whitty, Baron Whitty	Doug Hoyle, Baron Hoyle	Joyce Gould, Baroness Gould of Potternewton	Josie Farrington, Baroness Farrington of Ribbleton	Philip Hunt, Baron Hunt of Kings Heath	Valerie Amos, Baroness Amos	Meta Ramsay, Baroness Ramsay of Cartvale	Tom Burlison, Baron Burlison	Willy Bach, Baron Bach	Bryan Davies, Baron Davies of Oldham
	May 1997 – July 1998
July 1998 – June 2001
	May 1997 – July 1998
July 1998 – June 2001
Comptroller of the Household	May 1997 – June 2001
Vice-Chamberlain of the Household	May 1997 – July 1998
July 1998 – June 2001
Junior Lords of the Treasury
Whips	May 1997 - January 2001
May 1997 - July 1998
May 1997 - June 2001
May 1997 - July 1998
May 1997 - July 1998
July 1998 - June 2001
July 1998 - June 2001
July 1998 - October 1999
November 1999 - June 2001
February - June 2001
Assistant Whips	May 1997 -July 1998
May 1997 - February 2001
May 1997 - June 2001
May 1997 - July 1998
May 1997 - July 1998
May 1997 - November 1999
May 1997 - July 1998
July 1998 - May 2001
July 1998 - July 1999
July 1998 - June 2001
July 1998 - July 1999
July 1999 - June 2001
October 1999 - May 2001
November 1999 - June 2001
February - June 2001
	May 1997 – June 2001
	May 1997 – June 2001
	May 1997 - July 1998
May 1997 - July 1998
May 1997 - April 1999
May 1997 - July 1998
May 1997 - June 2001
July 1998 - July 1999
July 1998 - June 2001
July 1998 - June 2001
January 1999 - June 2000
July 1999 - November 2000
July 2000 - June 2001

References

Notes

Info: Wikipedia Source

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