Tristan Garel-Jones
| The Right Honourable The Lord Garel-Jones PC | |
|---|---|
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| Minister for Europe | |
|
In office 14 July 1990 – 27 May 1993 | |
| Prime Minister | John Major |
| Preceded by | Francis Maude |
| Succeeded by | David Heathcoat-Amory |
| Treasurer of the Household | |
|
In office 25 July 1989 – 14 July 1990 | |
| Prime Minister | Margaret Thatcher |
| Preceded by | David Hunt |
| Succeeded by | Alastair Goodlad |
| Comptroller of the Household | |
|
In office 26 July 1988 – 25 July 1989 | |
| Prime Minister | Margaret Thatcher |
| Preceded by | Robert Boscawen |
| Succeeded by | Alastair Goodlad |
| Vice-Chamberlain of the Household | |
|
In office 16 October 1986 – 26 July 1988 | |
| Prime Minister | Margaret Thatcher |
| Preceded by | Robert Boscawen |
| Succeeded by | Michael Neubert |
| Member of Parliament for Watford | |
|
In office 3 May 1979 – 1 May 1997 | |
| Preceded by | Raphael Tuck |
| Succeeded by | Claire Ward |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 28 February 1941 |
| Nationality | British |
| Political party | Conservative |
William Armand Thomas Tristan Garel-Jones, Baron Garel-Jones, PC (born 28 February 1941) is a British politician. A member of the Conservative Party, he served as the Member of Parliament (MP) for Watford from 1979–97, before being made a life peer in 1997.
Following his election to Parliament, Garel-Jones served in various whip positions and also as a junior minister at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.[1][2]
Early life
Garel-Jones was educated at the King's School, Canterbury.[1]
Parliamentary career
Garel-Jones first contested Caernarvon in February 1974, but was defeated by the future leader of Plaid Cymru Dafydd Wigley. He was elected for Watford at the 1979 General Election.
Whips Office
Viewed as an effective whip who successfully delivered parliamentary votes in favour of Thatcher's legislation, Garel-Jones was nonetheless seen as a mixture of Machiavelli and Ivan the Terrible by the Thatcherite right-wing.[3]
Mr Garel-Jones is said to be the inspiration for the fictional Whip turned PM, Francis Urquhart in House of Cards. [4]
Europe
Garel-Jones was a leading pro-European and remained so despite the Conservative party moving to a more eurosceptic position by the end of the Thatcher era. This created suspicion among right-wing Thatcherites who thought of him as one of the "wets". However, he voted for Lady Thatcher in the first round of the leadership challenge by Michael Heseltine, but reserved the right to vote against her if it went to a second round. He subsequently voted for Douglas Hurd.[3]
After he stepped down from the House of Commons in 1997, he was given a life peerage as Baron Garel-Jones, of Watford in the County of Hertfordshire.[5]
Other interests
Garel-Jones is a supporter of the British Humanist Association, and a vice chairman of the All-Party Parliamentary Humanist Group.[1]
In popular culture
Garel-Jones was portrayed by Hugh Fraser in the 2004 BBC production of The Alan Clark Diaries, and by Guy Henry in 2009's Margaret.[6]
References
- 1 2 3 "Lord Garel-Jones of Watford, PC". Retrieved 4 May 2010.
- ↑ The London Gazette: no. 54851. p. 2. 1997-08-01.
- 1 2 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/minister-departs-to-rightwing-glee-colin-brown-on-the-career-of-tristan-gareljones-an-enthusiastic-european-perceived-by-political-enemies-as-a-key-player-in-margaret-thatchers-downfall-1565113.html
- ↑ http://archive.spectator.co.uk/article/20th-may-1995/11/westminsters-secret-service
- ↑ The London Gazette: no. 54932. p. 1. 1997-10-28.
- ↑ Tristan Garel-Jones at the Internet Movie Database
External links
- Hansard 1803–2005: contributions in Parliament by Tristan Garel-Jones
| Parliament of the United Kingdom | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Raphael Tuck |
Member of Parliament for Watford 1979–1997 |
Succeeded by Claire Ward |
| Political offices | ||
| Preceded by Robert Boscawen |
Vice-Chamberlain of the Household 1986–1988 |
Succeeded by Michael Neubert |
| Comptroller of the Household 1988–1989 |
Succeeded by Alastair Goodlad | |
| Preceded by David Hunt |
Treasurer of the Household 1989–1990 | |
| Preceded by Francis Maude |
Minister for Europe 1990–1993 |
Succeeded by David Heathcoat-Amory |
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