Sally Oppenheim-Barnes
Encyclopedia
Sally Oppenheim-Barnes, Baroness Oppenheim-Barnes PC
(born 26 July 1930), née Viner, is a British
Conservative
politician
.
Born in Dublin and educated in Sheffield, where her father was a diamond cutter, Sally Viner worked as a social worker in London before entering politics.
In the 1970 general election
, she defeated John Diamond
in the constituency of Gloucester
; Diamond was the only cabinet minister to be defeated in the election. Some found her previous occupation to be somewhat appropriate — she had worked as a diamond
cutter. She went on to represent Gloucester as Member of Parliament
until 1987 and Minister of State
for Consumer Affairs in the Department of Trade from 1979 to 1982.
Oppenheim-Barnes was created a life peer
as Baroness Oppenheim-Barnes, of Gloucester in the County of Gloucestershire
on 9 February 1989. Her son Phillip Oppenheim
was formerly Conservative MP for Amber Valley
. From 1983-1987, mother and son served in the House of Commons simultaneously.
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...
(born 26 July 1930), née Viner, is a British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
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...
.
Born in Dublin and educated in Sheffield, where her father was a diamond cutter, Sally Viner worked as a social worker in London before entering politics.
In the 1970 general election
United Kingdom general election, 1970
The United Kingdom general election of 1970 was held on 18 June 1970, and resulted in a surprise victory for the Conservative Party under leader Edward Heath, who defeated the Labour Party under Harold Wilson. The election also saw the Liberal Party and its new leader Jeremy Thorpe lose half their...
, she defeated John Diamond
John Diamond, Baron Diamond
John Diamond, Baron Diamond, PC , also known as Jack Diamond, was a British Labour Party politician....
in the constituency of Gloucester
Gloucester (UK Parliament constituency)
Gloucester is a borough constituency represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. It was established in 1295 to return two Members of Parliament to the House of Commons but in 1885 representation was reduced to one member under the Redistribution of Seats Act 1885...
; Diamond was the only cabinet minister to be defeated in the election. Some found her previous occupation to be somewhat appropriate — she had worked as a diamond
Diamond
In mineralogy, diamond is an allotrope of carbon, where the carbon atoms are arranged in a variation of the face-centered cubic crystal structure called a diamond lattice. Diamond is less stable than graphite, but the conversion rate from diamond to graphite is negligible at ambient conditions...
cutter. She went on to represent Gloucester as Member of Parliament
Member of Parliament
A Member of Parliament is a representative of the voters to a :parliament. In many countries with bicameral parliaments, the term applies specifically to members of the lower house, as upper houses often have a different title, such as senate, and thus also have different titles for its members,...
until 1987 and Minister of State
Minister of State
Minister of State is a title borne by politicians or officials in certain countries governed under a parliamentary system. In some countries a "minister of state" is a junior minister, who is assigned to assist a specific cabinet minister...
for Consumer Affairs in the Department of Trade from 1979 to 1982.
Oppenheim-Barnes was created a life peer
Life peer
In the United Kingdom, life peers are appointed members of the Peerage whose titles cannot be inherited. Nowadays life peerages, always of baronial rank, are created under the Life Peerages Act 1958 and entitle the holders to seats in the House of Lords, presuming they meet qualifications such as...
as Baroness Oppenheim-Barnes, of Gloucester in the County of Gloucestershire
Gloucestershire
Gloucestershire is a county in South West England. The county comprises part of the Cotswold Hills, part of the flat fertile valley of the River Severn, and the entire Forest of Dean....
on 9 February 1989. Her son Phillip Oppenheim
Phillip Oppenheim
The Honourable Phillip Arthur Charles Lawrence Oppenheim is a British businessman and former politician.-Life:Born in Lambeth, London, he is the son of former Conservative government minister Sally Oppenheim...
was formerly Conservative MP for Amber Valley
Amber Valley (UK Parliament constituency)
Amber Valley is a county constituency 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 voting system. It is a marginal constituency between the Conservative and Labour parties...
. From 1983-1987, mother and son served in the House of Commons simultaneously.
External links
- Women's Rights: Radical Change – video of Oppenheim appearing in a BBC debate first televised in 1974