Michael Fallon facts for kids

Quick facts for kids The Right Honourable Sir Michael Fallon KCB
Official portrait, 2017
Secretary of State for Defence
In office 15 July 2014 – 1 November 2017
Prime Minister	David Cameron Theresa May
Preceded by	Philip Hammond
Succeeded by	Gavin Williamson
Minister for Portsmouth
In office 16 January 2014 – 15 July 2014
Prime Minister	David Cameron
Preceded by	Office established
Succeeded by	Matt Hancock
Minister of State for Energy
In office 28 March 2013 – 15 July 2014
Prime Minister	David Cameron
Preceded by	John Hayes
Succeeded by	Matt Hancock
Minister of State for Business and Enterprise
In office 4 September 2012 – 15 July 2014
Prime Minister	David Cameron
Preceded by	Mark Prisk
Succeeded by	Matt Hancock
Deputy Chairman of the Conservative Party
In office 4 September 2010 – 4 September 2012
Leader	David Cameron
Preceded by	The Lord Ashcroft
Succeeded by	Sarah Newton
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Education
In office 24 July 1990 – 14 April 1992
Prime Minister	Margaret Thatcher John Major
Preceded by	Robert Jackson
Succeeded by	Eric Forth
Lord Commissioner of the Treasury
In office 10 May 1990 – 22 July 1990
Prime Minister	Margaret Thatcher
Preceded by	Stephen Dorrell
Succeeded by	Greg Knight
Parliamentary offices Member of Parliament for Sevenoaks In office 1 May 1997 – 6 November 2019 Preceded by Mark Wolfson Succeeded by Laura Trott Member of Parliament for Darlington In office 9 June 1983 – 16 March 1992 Preceded by Ossie O'Brien Succeeded by Alan Milburn
Personal details
Born	Michael Cathel Fallon (1952-05-14) 14 May 1952 (age 73) Perth, Perthshire, Scotland
Political party	Conservative
Spouse	Wendy Elisabeth Payne ​ (m. 1986)​
Children	2
Education	Epsom College
Alma mater	University of St Andrews

Sir Michael Cathel Fallon KCB (born 14 May 1952) is a British politician. He was the Secretary of State for Defence from 2014 to 2017. He is a member of the Conservative Party.

Sir Michael was a Member of Parliament (MP) for Sevenoaks from 1997 to 2019. Before that, he was the MP for Darlington from 1983 to 1992.

He went to Epsom College, a private school. Then he studied Classics and Ancient History at the University of St Andrews. After university, he worked for the Conservative Research Department.

Early Life and Education

Michael Fallon was born in Perth, Scotland. His father, Dr. Martin Fallon, was a surgeon from Ireland. He was also a high-ranking medical officer in the British Army. Dr. Fallon received the OBE award for helping wounded soldiers.

Michael went to Craigflower Preparatory School and Epsom College. Epsom College is a private school for boys in Surrey. He then studied Classics (ancient Greek and Roman studies) and Ancient History at the University of St Andrews. He earned his Master of Arts degree in 1974.

As a student, Michael was involved in the European Movement. This group supports closer ties between European countries. He also helped with the "Yes" campaign in the 1975 vote about the UK joining the European Communities. After university, he worked for the Conservative Party's research team. He worked for Lord Carrington and Baroness Elles, who later became a Member of the European Parliament (MEP).

Political Career in Parliament

Michael Fallon became a candidate for the Conservative Party in Darlington in 1982. He ran in a special election (by-election) in 1983 but lost. However, he won the seat in the main general election just a few months later.

After the 1987 election, he became a Parliamentary Private Secretary. This role helps a government minister. He worked for the Secretary of State for Energy, Cecil Parkinson. In 1988, he joined Margaret Thatcher's government as an Assistant Whip. Whips help make sure party members vote together. He became a Lord Commissioner of the Treasury in 1990.

Working in Education

In July 1990, Margaret Thatcher made Michael Fallon a Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for the Department for Education and Science. He kept this job when John Major became Prime Minister. In this role, he helped create laws that gave schools more control over their own money. He stayed in this job until the 1992 general election. In that election, he lost his seat in Darlington.

Returning to the House of Commons

In 1997, Michael Fallon was chosen to run for the Sevenoaks seat. This was a safe seat for the Conservative Party. He won the seat in the 1997 general election.

After returning to Parliament, he became a spokesperson for Trade and Industry. He also served on the Treasury Select Committee. This committee looks closely at how the government spends money. From 2005 to 2007, he was on the executive committee of the 1922 Committee. This is a group of Conservative MPs.

In September 2012, David Cameron made Fallon a Minister for Business and Enterprise. He also became a Privy Councillor. This is a group of important advisors to the Queen.

Fallon was also a director at Tullett Prebon, a financial company. He supported the idea of selling the Royal Mail (the UK's postal service) to private companies. In January 2014, he became the Minister for Portsmouth. Six months later, in July 2014, David Cameron promoted him to the Cabinet. He became the Secretary of State for Defence.

Secretary of State for Defence (2014–2017)

Fallon at the Munich Security Conference in 2016

Fallon with US Secretary of Defence James Mattis, July 2017

Fallon (centre) with Vice-Admiral Sir Simon Lister (left) and Admiral James F. Caldwell Jr. in August 2017

As Secretary of State for Defence, Michael Fallon was in charge of the UK's armed forces. He made important decisions about the country's military and security.

In 2017, Fallon said that Russia's military exercise called Zapad 2017 exercise was "designed to provoke us." He believed many Russian troops were taking part in the exercise.

Views on the European Union

In 2016, before the vote on whether the UK should leave the European Union, Fallon shared his thoughts. He said he was a Eurosceptic. This means he had doubts about some parts of the EU. However, he still wanted Britain to stay in the EU. He felt it was important for facing threats from Vladimir Putin's Russia, crime, and international terrorism.

Life Outside Parliament

Between 1992 and 1997, Michael Fallon started a group of children's nurseries called Just Learning. He was the chief executive of the company. He worked with Duncan Bannatyne, a well-known businessman from the TV show Dragons' Den.

Personal Life

Michael Fallon married Wendy Elisabeth Payne on 27 September 1986. Wendy works in human resources. They have two sons. The family lives in Sundridge, Kent.

Fallon was made a Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath (KCB). This is a special honor given for public service. He received it when David Cameron left his role as Prime Minister.

See also

In Spanish: Michael Fallon para niños