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
Spouse	Wendy Elisabeth Payne ​ (m. 1986)​
Children	2
Residences	Sundridge, Kent, England Conservative
Education	Epsom College
Alma mater	University of St Andrews

Sir Michael Cathel Fallon (born 14 May 1952) is a British politician. He was a Member of Parliament (MP) for many years. An MP is someone elected to represent a local area in the UK Parliament. He was part of the Conservative Party.

From 2014 to 2017, he held a very important job as the Secretary of State for Defence. This role means he was in charge of the UK's armed forces and national security. Before that, he was an MP for Sevenoaks from 1997 to 2019. He also served as an MP for Darlington from 1983 to 1992.

Michael Fallon went to Epsom College, a private school. He then studied Classics and Ancient History at the University of St Andrews. After university, he started working for the Conservative Party's research team.

Early Life and Education

Michael Cathel Fallon was born in Perth, Scotland. His father was a surgeon, a type of doctor who performs operations. Michael went to Craigflower Preparatory School and then Epsom College in Surrey.

He later studied Classics and Ancient History at the University of St Andrews. He earned a Master of Arts degree in 1974. While at university, he was involved in the European Movement. This group supported closer ties between European countries.

After finishing his studies, he joined the Conservative Research Department. This department helps the Conservative Party with its policies and ideas.

Political Career Highlights

Michael Fallon became a candidate for Parliament in 1982 for the area of Darlington. He first ran in a special election called a by-election in March 1983. He did not win that election. However, he won the seat in the main general election just a few months later.

After the 1987 general election, he became a Parliamentary Private Secretary. This role supports a senior government minister. In 1988, he joined the government of Margaret Thatcher. He became an Assistant Whip, helping to make sure MPs vote as their party wants.

Working in Education

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

Return to Parliament

Michael Fallon returned to Parliament in the 1997 general election. He was elected as the MP for Sevenoaks. After returning, he held various roles for the Conservative Party.

From 2010 to 2012, he was the Deputy Chairman of the Conservative Party. In 2012, David Cameron, who was Prime Minister at the time, appointed him as a Minister for Business and Enterprise. He also became a Privy Councillor, which is a group of senior advisors to the King.

In 2014, he was appointed Minister for Portsmouth. Later that year, on 15 July 2014, he was promoted to a very senior position in the government. He became the Secretary of State for Defence.

Secretary of State for Defence (2014–2017)

Fallon during the Munich Security Conference in 2016

As Secretary of State for Defence, Michael Fallon was responsible for the UK's military and defence policy. He worked on important issues related to national security.

In 2016, he discussed the UK's defence industry. He also spoke about the use of certain weapons in conflicts. In April 2017, he confirmed the UK's policy on using its nuclear weapons in extreme situations.

In 2017, Fallon warned about large military exercises held by Russia near its borders. He suggested these exercises were designed to challenge other countries.

Views on the European Union

Before the referendum on leaving the European Union in 2016, Michael Fallon shared his views. He said he had some concerns about the European Union (EU). However, he believed it was better for Britain to remain a member. He felt this was important because of various threats, such as international terrorism.

Resignation from Government

In October 2017, Michael Fallon resigned from his role as Secretary of State for Defence. He stated that his past conduct had "fallen below" the high standards expected of someone in his position. He decided not to seek re-election as an MP in the 2019 United Kingdom general election.

Career Outside Parliament

Between 1992 and 1997, when he was not an MP, Michael Fallon started a business. He set up a chain of children's nurseries called Just Learning. He was the chief executive of this company.

Personal Life

Michael Fallon is married to Wendy Elisabeth Payne. They got married on 27 September 1986 and have two sons. The family lives in Sundridge, Kent.

In 2016, he was made a Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath (KCB). This is an honour given for public service.

See also

In Spanish: Michael Fallon para niños