Michael Ancram facts for kids

Quick facts for kids The Most Honourable The Marquess of Lothian PC KC DL
Official portrait, 2019
Deputy Leader of the Conservative Party
In office 18 September 2001 – 6 December 2005
Leader	Iain Duncan Smith Michael Howard
Preceded by	Peter Lilley
Succeeded by	Office not in use
Chairman of the Conservative Party
In office 2 December 1998 – 18 September 2001
Leader	William Hague
Preceded by	Cecil Parkinson
Succeeded by	David Davis
Shadow Cabinet posts Shadow Secretary of State for Defence In office 10 May 2005 – 6 December 2005 Leader Michael Howard Preceded by Nicholas Soames Succeeded by Liam Fox Shadow Foreign Secretary In office 18 September 2001 – 10 May 2005 Leader Iain Duncan Smith Michael Howard Preceded by Francis Maude Succeeded by Liam Fox Shadow Constitutional Affairs Spokesperson In office 19 June 1997 – 1 June 1998 Leader William Hague Preceded by William Hague Michael Howard Succeeded by Liam Fox
Ministerial offices Minister of State for Northern Ireland In office 11 January 1994 – 2 May 1997 Prime Minister John Major Preceded by Robert Atkins Succeeded by Adam Ingram Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Northern Ireland In office 27 May 1993 – 11 January 1994 Prime Minister John Major Preceded by Jeremy Hanley Succeeded by Tim Smith Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Scotland In office 13 June 1983 – 14 June 1987 Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher Preceded by Alex Fletcher Succeeded by James Douglas-Hamilton
Parliamentary offices Member of the House of Lords Lord Temporal Life peerage 22 November 2010 – 1 October 2024 Member of Parliament for Devizes In office 9 April 1992 – 12 April 2010 Preceded by Charles Morrison Succeeded by Claire Perry Member of Parliament for Edinburgh South In office 3 May 1979 – 18 May 1987 Preceded by Michael Hutchison Succeeded by Nigel Griffiths Member of Parliament for Berwick and East Lothian In office 28 February 1974 – 20 September 1974 Preceded by John Mackintosh Succeeded by John Mackintosh
Personal details
Born	Michael Andrew Foster Jude Kerr (1945-07-07)7 July 1945 London, England
Died	1 October 2024(2024-10-01) (aged 79)
Political party	Conservative
Spouse	Lady Jane Fitzalan-Howard ​ (m. 1975)​
Children	3
Parents	The 12th Marquess of Lothian Antonella Newland
Relatives	Nick Hurd (son-in-law)
Alma mater	Christ Church, Oxford University of Edinburgh

Michael Andrew Foster Jude Kerr, also known as Michael Ancram, was an important Scottish politician. He was born on 7 July 1945 and passed away on 1 October 2024. He held the title of the 13th Marquess of Lothian.

Michael Ancram was a key member of the Conservative Party. He served as the Deputy Leader from 2001 to 2005. Before that, he was known as the Earl of Ancram until he became the Marquess in 2004.

Early Life and Education

Michael Ancram was born in London, England. His father was the 12th Marquess of Lothian, Peter Kerr. He went to Ampleforth College in North Yorkshire.

He studied History at Christ Church, Oxford University, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1966. Later, he studied Law at the University of Edinburgh and became a lawyer (called an advocate in Scotland) in 1970.

Political Career Highlights

Michael Ancram had a long career in British politics. He was a Member of Parliament (MP) for several different areas. An MP is a person elected to represent a group of people in the UK Parliament.

First Time as an MP

Ancram first tried to become an MP in 1970 but didn't win. He was first elected to Parliament in February 1974 for Berwick and East Lothian. However, he lost this seat in another election later that same year in October. After this, he went back to working as a lawyer for a while.

Returning to Parliament

He was elected again in 1979, this time representing Edinburgh South. He served as an MP for this area until 1987. During this time, he worked as a minister in the Scotland Office under Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher.

In 1987, he lost his seat again in the general election. He returned to Parliament in 1992, representing Devizes. From 1993 to 1997, he worked in the Northern Ireland Office under Prime Minister John Major. He was promoted to Minister of State in 1994.

Leadership Roles

After the Conservative Party lost the 1997 election, Ancram became part of the Shadow Cabinet. This is a group of senior politicians from the main opposition party who "shadow" (or watch over) government ministers. He was the Chairman of the Conservative Party from 1998 to 2001.

In 2001, he ran for the leader of the Conservative Party but was not successful. However, the new leader, Iain Duncan Smith, made him the Deputy Leader and Shadow Foreign Secretary. He kept these roles when Michael Howard became leader in 2003.

After the 2005 election, he became the Shadow Secretary of State for Defence but remained Deputy Leader. He stepped down from these roles in December 2005.

Later Years in Parliament

In 2006, Ancram helped start the Global Strategy Forum. This is a group that studies foreign affairs. He also became a member of the Intelligence and Security Committee, which looks at the work of intelligence agencies.

He was a strong supporter of spreading liberal democracy around the world. In 2006, he was one of the first senior Conservative MPs to suggest that British troops should leave Iraq.

In 2009, Michael Ancram announced he would not run for MP again in the 2010 election due to health reasons. He officially retired from the House of Commons in April 2010.

Personal Life and Titles

Michael Ancram married Lady Jane Fitzalan-Howard in 1975. She is the daughter of the 16th Duke of Norfolk. They had three daughters.

Ancram was a fan of country music and sometimes played the acoustic guitar at political events. He was also a knight of two important orders, the Order of St John and the Order of St Lazarus. In 2010, he was made a Freeman of Gibraltar.

He became a Queen's Counsel (QC) in 1996, which is a special title for experienced lawyers.

Becoming a Peer

When his father passed away in 2004, Michael Ancram became the 13th Marquess of Lothian. This is a hereditary title, meaning it is passed down through the family. Even though he had this title, he continued to be known as Michael Ancram in his public life while he was still an MP.

In 2010, he was given a new title, Baron Kerr of Monteviot, which allowed him to become a life peer in the House of Lords. The House of Lords is the second chamber of the UK Parliament. By tradition, he was referred to by his senior title, The Marquess of Lothian, in Parliament.

He was the only Marquess sitting in the House of Lords at the time of his death. He was also the hereditary Chief of the Scottish Clan Kerr.

Passing Away

Michael Ancram passed away on 1 October 2024, at the age of 79, after a short illness.

Images for kids

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  The Coat of Arms of the Marquess of Lothian.