Shadow cabinet posts

Shadow Deputy Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
Acting 11 May 2010 – 25 September 2010
Leader	Harriet Harman (acting)
Preceded by	William Hague
Succeeded by	Harriet Harman
Shadow Secretary of State for Justice Shadow Lord Chancellor
In office 11 May 2010 – 8 October 2010
Leader	Harriet Harman (acting)
Preceded by	Dominic Grieve
Succeeded by	Sadiq Khan
Shadow Home Secretary
In office 20 October 1994 – 2 May 1997
Leader	Tony Blair
Preceded by	Tony Blair
Succeeded by	Michael Howard
Shadow Minister for Local Government and Housing
In office 24 July 1992 – 20 October 1994
Leader	John Smith Margaret Beckett (acting)
Preceded by	Eric Heffer
Succeeded by	Nick Raynsford
Shadow Secretary of State for Education and Science
In office 13 July 1987 – 18 July 1992
Leader	Neil Kinnock
Preceded by	Giles Radice
Succeeded by	Ann Taylor

Member of Parliament
for Blackburn

In office
3 May 1979 – 30 March 2015

Preceded by

Barbara Castle

Succeeded by

Kate Hollern

Personal details

Born

John Whitaker Straw

3 August 1946 (age 78)
Buckhurst Hill, Essex, England

Political party

Labour

Spouses

Anthea Weston

(m. 1968; div. 1977)

Alice Perkins

(m. 1978)

Children

3; including Will

Education

Brentwood School

Alma mater

University of Leeds
Inns of Court School of Law

Signature

John Whitaker Straw (born 3 August 1946), known as Jack Straw, is a British politician. He was a very important member of the UK government for many years. He served in the Cabinet from 1997 to 2010 under Prime Ministers Tony Blair and Gordon Brown.

Jack Straw held some of the most important jobs in government. He was the Home Secretary from 1997 to 2001. Then, he became the Foreign Secretary from 2001 to 2006. He was also a Member of Parliament (MP) for Blackburn from 1979 until 2015.

From 2007 to 2010, he was the Lord High Chancellor of Great Britain and the Secretary of State for Justice. He was one of only three people who stayed in the Cabinet for the entire 13 years that the Labour Party was in power (1997-2010).

Jack Straw's Early Life and Education
Starting in Politics
Important Government Roles
Life After Government
- Cash for Access Allegations
Personal Life
Images for kids
See also

Jack Straw's Early Life and Education

Jack Straw was born in Buckhurst Hill, Essex, England. His father was an insurance salesman and his mother was a teacher. After his parents separated, he was raised by his mother on a council estate.

He was called John by his family, but started using the name Jack at school. This was a reference to Jack Straw, a leader in the Peasants' Revolt of 1381.

Jack Straw went to Oaklands School and then Brentwood School. He later studied Law at the University of Leeds. He became a barrister, which is a type of lawyer.

Starting in Politics

While at university, Jack Straw was very involved in student politics. He was elected president of the Leeds University Union. Later, he became the president of the National Union of Students (NUS) from 1969 to 1971.

In 1971, he was elected as a Labour councillor in the London Borough of Islington. He held this position until 1978. He also worked as a political adviser for important government ministers.

In 1979, Jack Straw was elected as the MP for Blackburn. He took over from Barbara Castle, who had been the MP there before him.

Important Government Roles

Jack Straw held many important jobs in the government. These roles involved making big decisions for the country.

Home Secretary (1997–2001)

After the 1997 general election, Jack Straw became the Home Secretary. This job is in charge of policing, security, and immigration in the UK.

During his time as Home Secretary, he introduced new laws to increase police powers against terrorism. He also helped bring the European Convention on Human Rights into British law. This law protects people's basic rights.

Hillsborough and Stephen Lawrence Inquiries

Jack Straw ordered a review into the Hillsborough disaster. This was a terrible event where many football fans died. He later apologized for the problems with this review.

He also ordered a major public inquiry into the murder of Stephen Lawrence. This inquiry found that the police investigation had many problems. It also said that the police force was "institutionally racist," meaning racism was a problem within the system. This inquiry led to important changes in policing and the law.

Augusto Pinochet Case

In 2000, Jack Straw made a decision about Augusto Pinochet, a former dictator from Chile. Pinochet was under house arrest in Britain, and some countries wanted him to face trial for serious crimes. However, Jack Straw ordered his release on medical grounds, and Pinochet returned to Chile.

Foreign Secretary (2001–2006)

In 2001, Jack Straw became the Foreign Secretary. This job means he was in charge of how Britain deals with other countries.

Soon after he started, the 11 September attacks happened in the United States. He played a role in Britain's response to these events and the "War on Terrorism".

Iraq War Decisions

One of the most difficult decisions Jack Straw faced was about the Iraq War. He supported the decision to invade Iraq in 2003. He later said that this decision "haunted him" and was the "most difficult decision" of his life.

He also gave evidence to the Iraq Inquiry, which looked into the reasons for the war.

Debate Over Veils

In 2006, Jack Straw caused a discussion when he said that Muslim women who wear face veils (like the niqab) can make it harder to communicate. He said he preferred if women did not wear full face veils, but he did not support a law banning them. He later apologized for these comments.

Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice (2007–2010)

In 2007, Jack Straw became the Lord High Chancellor of Great Britain and Secretary of State for Justice. This role involves overseeing the justice system and the courts. He was the first Lord Chancellor in a very long time to also be a member of the House of Commons.

Life After Government

After the Labour Party lost power in 2010, Jack Straw stepped down from his main government roles. He continued to be an MP until 2015.

He has since worked as a consultant and a visiting professor at University College London.

Cash for Access Allegations

In 2015, there were reports that Jack Straw had offered to use his influence for a fake company. He denied any wrongdoing and said he had always acted honestly. An official investigation cleared him of the allegations. The investigation also criticized the journalists for how they reported the story.

Personal Life

Jack Straw has been married twice. He has two adult children, Will and Charlotte, with his second wife, Alice Perkins.

He supports his local football team, Blackburn Rovers. In 2015, he was given the Freedom of the Borough of Blackburn with Darwen, which is a special honor.

Images for kids

Straw at a press conference with United States Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice in 2006.
Straw meets with US Deputy Secretary of Defence Paul Wolfowitz and UK Ambassador to the US Christopher Meyer in 2001.
Official portrait, 2007.
Straw canvassing with local councillors in Blackburn.