Michael Howard

Michael Howard (born Michael Hecht, 7 July 1941) is a British politician who was the Leader of the Conservative Party from November 2003 to December 2005. He was also a cabinet minister in both Margaret Thatcher's and John Major's governments. He was a Member of Parliament for the constituency of Folkestone and Hythe from 1983 to 2010. In 2010, he entered the House of Lords as Baron Howard of Lympne.

Michael Howard was born in Gorseinon, a town in Swansea, Wales.   He is of Jewish descent.The Guardian He studied Law at the University of Cambridge and became a Queen's Counsel in 1982. He then became a Member of Parliament at the 1983 General Election. His cabinet jobs included Secretary of State for Employment (1990-1992), Secretary of State for the Environment (1992-1993) and Home Secretary (1993-1997). When the Conservative Party lost the 1997 General Election, Michael Howard became a member of the shadow cabinets of William Hague and Iain Duncan Smith.

In 2003, the Leader of the Conservative Party Iain Duncan Smith was made to resign and Michael Howard was elected unopposed to become the Conservative Party leader. 'Unopposed' means that no-one other than Michael Howard was a candidate. Michael Howard was the Conservative candidate to become Prime Minister at the 2005 General Election. The Conservatives did not win the election, however they had 33 more seats in Parliament than they did before. Michael Howard resigned shortly after this and David Cameron replaced him as Conservative Party leader.

He was made a Companion of Honour in the 2011 Birthday Honours. Cabinet Office, 11 June 2011

References

Category:1941 births
Category:Living people
Category:Alumni of the University of Cambridge
Category:English King's Counsel
Category:Conservative Party (UK) MPs
Category:Members of the British House of Commons for English constituencies
Category:Jewish British politicians
Category:Leaders of the Conservative Party (UK)
Category:Leaders of the Opposition (United Kingdom)
Category:Conservative Life Peers
Category:Politicians from Swansea
Category:Members of the Privy Council of the United Kingdom
Category:Secretaries of State for the Home Department
Category:Secretaries of State of the United Kingdom
Category:UK MPs 1983–1987
Category:UK MPs 1987–1992
Category:UK MPs 1992–1997
Category:UK MPs 1997–2001
Category:UK MPs 2001–2005
Category:UK MPs 2005–2010