Despite no longer sitting on the front bench, Kenneth Clarke remains one of the Conservative Party's most senior and important figures.

He first became active in politics at Cambridge, where he was President of the Union, and Chairman of the University Conservative Association. He was also the National Chairman of the Federation of University Conservative Associations, and has served on many of the National Committees of the Party.

He unsuccessfully contested Mansfield in the General Elections of 1964 and 1966. He was elected MP for Rushcliffe at the 1970 General Election, gaining the seat from Labour.

From January 1971 to April 1972 he was PPS to he Solicitor-General and worked with Sir Geoffrey Howe, first on the Industrial Relations Bill and then on the European Community Enabling Legislation.

He was appointed an Assistant Government Whip in April 1972, and Lord Commissioner of the Treasury in January 1974 until February 1974. In June 1974 he was appointed an additional Opposition Front Bench Spokesman on Social Services. In the Shadow Cabinet reshuffle in November 1976, Mr Clarke became an additional Opposition Spokesman on Industry.


He was appointed Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, Department of Transport after the General Election of May 1979. He moved to become Minister for Health in March 1982.

In September 1985 Mr Clarke was appointed to the Cabinet as Paymaster General and Minister for Employment.

He was appointed Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for Trade and Industry following the June 1987 General Election.

From July 1988 to November 1990 he was Secretary of State for Health.

From November 1990 to April 1992 he was Secretary of State for Education and Science.

THE RT. HON. KENNETH CLARKE (continued)

From April 1992 to May 1993 he was Secretary of State for the Home Office.

From May 1993 until the General Election in May 1997, Mr Clarke was Chancellor of the Exchequer.

Mr Clarke is now MP for Rushcliffe and has taken on various business appointments. He is Deputy Chairman of British American Tobacco Plc and non-executive Chairman of Alliance Unichem Plc, a pan-European pharmaceutical wholesale company. He is also a director at Foreign and Colonial Investment Trust and an adviser to Daiwa Europe Ltd.