Peter Blaker, Baron Blaker
Encyclopedia
Sir Peter Allan Renshaw Blaker, Baron Blaker KCMG
PC
(4 October 1922 – 5 July 2009) was an English
Conservative
politician
.
Blaker was born in Hong Kong
, son of Cedric Blaker. He was educated at Shrewsbury School
before being evacuated to Canada
in 1939. There he took a degree in classics, before being commissioned in the Canadian Army. On return to England he went to New College, Oxford
. He qualified as a lawyer, and later joined the Foreign Office. In 1964 he was elected Member of Parliament for Blackpool South
, which he represented until 1992. In Parliament, he served as a Minister for the Army (1972–74), Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1974 and 1979–81). He was a Minister of State in the Ministry of Defence from 29 May 1981, until 9 June 1983. He was made a Privy Counsellor
in 1983.
In 1994 he accepted a life peerage and became Baron Blaker, of Blackpool in the County of Lancaster
and of Lindfield
in the county of West Sussex
. Blaker married Jennifer Dixon in 1953; they had a son and two daughters.
Order of St Michael and St George
The Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George is an order of chivalry founded on 28 April 1818 by George, Prince Regent, later George IV of the United Kingdom, while he was acting as Prince Regent for his father, George III....
PC
Privy Council of the United Kingdom
Her Majesty's Most Honourable Privy Council, usually known simply as the Privy Council, is a formal body of advisers to the Sovereign in the United Kingdom...
(4 October 1922 – 5 July 2009) was an English
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
Conservative
Conservative Party (UK)
The Conservative Party, formally the Conservative and Unionist Party, is a centre-right political party in the United Kingdom that adheres to the philosophies of conservatism and British unionism. It is the largest political party in the UK, and is currently the largest single party in the House...
politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
.
Blaker was born in Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
, son of Cedric Blaker. He was educated at Shrewsbury School
Shrewsbury School
Shrewsbury School is a co-educational independent school for pupils aged 13 to 18, founded by Royal Charter in 1552. The present campus to which the school moved in 1882 is located on the banks of the River Severn in Shrewsbury, Shropshire, England...
before being evacuated to Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
in 1939. There he took a degree in classics, before being commissioned in the Canadian Army. On return to England he went to New College, Oxford
New College, Oxford
New College is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom.- Overview :The College's official name, College of St Mary, is the same as that of the older Oriel College; hence, it has been referred to as the "New College of St Mary", and is now almost always...
. He qualified as a lawyer, and later joined the Foreign Office. In 1964 he was elected Member of Parliament for Blackpool South
Blackpool South (UK Parliament constituency)
Blackpool South is a borough constituency in Lancashire, represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. It elects one Member of Parliament by the first past the post system of election, and was created in 1945.-History:...
, which he represented until 1992. In Parliament, he served as a Minister for the Army (1972–74), Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1974 and 1979–81). He was a Minister of State in the Ministry of Defence from 29 May 1981, until 9 June 1983. He was made a Privy Counsellor
Privy Council of the United Kingdom
Her Majesty's Most Honourable Privy Council, usually known simply as the Privy Council, is a formal body of advisers to the Sovereign in the United Kingdom...
in 1983.
In 1994 he accepted a life peerage and became Baron Blaker, of Blackpool in the County of Lancaster
Lancashire
Lancashire is a non-metropolitan county of historic origin in the North West of England. It takes its name from the city of Lancaster, and is sometimes known as the County of Lancaster. Although Lancaster is still considered to be the county town, Lancashire County Council is based in Preston...
and of Lindfield
Lindfield, West Sussex
Lindfield is a village and civil parish in the Mid Sussex District of West Sussex, England. The parish lies to the north-east of Haywards Heath, of which the village is a part of the built-up area. It stands on the upper reaches of the River Ouse...
in the county of West Sussex
West Sussex
West Sussex is a county in the south of England, bordering onto East Sussex , Hampshire and Surrey. The county of Sussex has been divided into East and West since the 12th century, and obtained separate county councils in 1888, but it remained a single ceremonial county until 1974 and the coming...
. Blaker married Jennifer Dixon in 1953; they had a son and two daughters.
External links
- Lord Blaker - Daily Telegraph obituary