Ivor Richard, Baron Richard facts for kids

Ivor Seward Richard, Baron Richard (born May 30, 1932 – died March 18, 2018) was an important British politician. He was a member of the Labour Party. He served in different important roles, including as a Member of Parliament and as a "Baron" in the House of Lords. He also worked for the European Commission. He passed away in 2018 at the age of 85.

Who Was Ivor Richard?

Ivor Richard was born in Wales, UK. He studied at Pembroke College, Oxford, which is a famous university. After finishing his studies, he became a lawyer. This background helped him a lot in his political career.

Early Political Career

Becoming a Member of Parliament

In 1964, Ivor Richard became a Member of Parliament (MP). An MP is someone elected by people to represent them in the House of Commons, which is part of the UK Parliament. He represented an area in London called Barons Court. He served as an MP for ten years, until 1974. During this time, he worked on laws and spoke up for the people he represented.

Working for the United Nations

British Ambassador to the UN

From 1974 to 1979, Ivor Richard had a very important job. He was the British Ambassador to the United Nations. The UN is an organization where countries work together to solve global problems. As an ambassador, he represented the UK and spoke on behalf of the country at the UN meetings. This role involved a lot of diplomacy and international relations.

Role in the European Commission

European Commissioner for Employment

After his time at the UN, Ivor Richard became a European Commissioner. This was from 1981 to 1985. The European Commission is like the executive branch of the European Union. It proposes laws and manages the EU's daily business. Ivor Richard was in charge of employment and social affairs. This meant he worked on policies to help people find jobs and improve working conditions across Europe.

Life in the House of Lords

Leader of the Opposition

In 1992, Ivor Richard became a life peer. This means he was given the title of "Baron Richard" and became a member of the House of Lords. The House of Lords is the second chamber of the UK Parliament. It checks and improves laws made by the House of Commons. As a life peer, he could sit and vote in the House of Lords for the rest of his life. From 1992 to 1997, he was the Leader of the Opposition in the House of Lords. This meant he led the Labour Party members in challenging the government's plans.

Leading the House of Lords

When the Labour Party won the general election in 1997, Ivor Richard took on two very senior roles. He became the Leader of the House of Lords and the Lord Privy Seal. As Leader of the House of Lords, he was responsible for managing the government's business in that chamber. The Lord Privy Seal is one of the oldest offices in the government, and it's a traditional title for a senior minister. He held these roles until 1998.

Later Life and Legacy

Ivor Richard continued to be an active member of the House of Lords even after stepping down from leadership roles. He used his experience in politics and international relations to contribute to debates and discussions. He passed away in 2018, leaving behind a long career of public service.

See also

In Spanish: Ivor Richard para niños