Life Peerages

30 October 2004

The Queen has been graciously pleased to signify her intention of conferring Peerages of the United Kingdom for Life upon the Right Honourable Neil Gordon Kinnock and the Right Honourable Christopher Francis Patten CH on their retirement from the European Commission.

Neither Mr Kinnock nor Mr Patten intends to take up his seat in the House of Lords until their membership of the European Commission has ended.

Note for Editors

The Right Honourable Neil Kinnock: Member of Parliament for Bedwellty from 1970 to 1983 and for Islwyn from 1983 to 1995. He was Chief Opposition spokesman on education from 1979 to 1983; Leader of the Labour Party, and Leader of the Opposition from 1983 to 1992 and a Member of the National Executive Committee of the Labour Party from 1978 to 1994 (Chairman from 1987 to 1988); Member, 1995 to 1999, and Vice President, 1999 to 2004, European Commission; President of Cardiff University from 1998 and appointed Chairman of the British Council, 2004.

The Right Honourable Chris Patten CH: Member of Parliament for Bath from 1979 to 1992. Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Leader of the House of Commons from 1979 to 1981, to the Secretary of State for Social Services, 1981; Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Northern Ireland Office from 1983 to 1985; Minister of State, DES from 1985 to 1986; Minister of State (Minister for Overseas Development), FCO from 1986 to 1989; Secretary of State for the Environment from 1989 to 1990; Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster from 1990 to 1992; Chairman of the Conservative Party from 1990 to 1992; Governor and C-in-C, Hong Kong from 1992 to 1997; Chairman of the Independent Commission on Policing in Northern Ireland from 1998 to 1999 and a Member of the European Commission from 1999 to 2004; Chancellor of Newcastle University since 1999 and of Oxford University since 2003.