Norman Fowler, Baron Fowler facts for kids

Quick facts for kids The Right Honourable The Lord Fowler PC
Official portrait, 2018
Lord Speaker
In office 1 September 2016 – 30 April 2021
Monarch	Elizabeth II
Deputy	The Lord McFall of Alcluith
Preceded by	The Baroness D'Souza
Succeeded by	The Lord McFall of Alcluith
Shadow cabinet 1997–99 Shadow Home Secretary In office 2 June 1998 – 14 June 1999 Leader William Hague Preceded by Brian Mawhinney Succeeded by Ann Widdecombe Shadow Secretary of State for Environment, Transport and the Regions In office 11 June 1997 – 1 June 1998 Leader William Hague Preceded by Sir George Young Succeeded by Gillian Shephard
Chairman of the Conservative Party
In office 11 May 1992 – 15 July 1994
Leader	John Major
Preceded by	Chris Patten
Succeeded by	Jeremy Hanley
Secretary of State for Employment
In office 13 June 1987 – 3 January 1990
Prime Minister	Margaret Thatcher
Preceded by	The Lord Young of Graffham
Succeeded by	Michael Howard
Secretary of State for Social Services
In office 14 September 1981 – 13 June 1987
Prime Minister	Margaret Thatcher
Preceded by	Patrick Jenkin
Succeeded by	John Moore
Secretary of State for Transport
In office 4 May 1979 – 14 September 1981
Prime Minister	Margaret Thatcher
Preceded by	Bill Rodgers
Succeeded by	David Howell
Shadow Cabinet 1975–79 Shadow Minister of State for Transport In office 15 January 1976 – 4 May 1979 Leader Margaret Thatcher Succeeded by Bill Rodgers Shadow Secretary of State for Social Services In office 18 February 1975 – 15 January 1976 Leader Margaret Thatcher Succeeded by Patrick Jenkin
Parliamentary Representation Member of the House of Lords Lord Temporal Incumbent Assumed office 4 July 2001 Life peerage Member of Parliament for Sutton Coldfield In office 28 February 1974 – 14 May 2001 Preceded by Geoffrey Lloyd Succeeded by Andrew Mitchell Member of Parliament for Nottingham South In office 18 June 1970 – 8 February 1974 Preceded by George Perry Succeeded by Constituency abolished
Personal details
Born	Peter Norman Fowler (1938-02-02) 2 February 1938 (age 87) Chelmsford, Essex, England
Political party	Crossbench
Other political affiliations	Conservative (until 2016) Speaker (2016–2021)
Spouse	Fiona Poole ​ (m. 1979)​
Children	2
Alma mater	Trinity Hall, Cambridge

Peter Norman Fowler, Baron Fowler (born 2 February 1938) is a British politician. He was an important member of the government, called the Cabinet, when Margaret Thatcher and John Major were Prime Ministers. He was also the Lord Speaker from 2016 to 2021, which is like being the chairperson for the House of Lords.

As a government minister, Lord Fowler made two very important changes. First, as Minister of Transport, he passed the law that made wearing seat belts in cars mandatory. Later, as Secretary of State for Social Services, he started a major public health campaign to teach people about the dangers of AIDS.

He was knighted in 1990. In 2001, he became a life peer, which means he became a member of the House of Lords for life. He left his role as Lord Speaker in 2021 so he could spend more time on his campaign work, especially related to AIDS awareness.

Early Life and Education

Peter Norman Fowler was born in Chelmsford, Essex, on 2 February 1938. He was an only child. He went to King Edward VI Grammar School in his hometown.

After finishing school, he served in the Essex Regiment of the British Army. He then went to Trinity Hall, Cambridge, where he studied Economics and Law. At university, he became interested in politics and was the chairman of the student Conservative Association. After graduating, he worked as a journalist for The Times newspaper.

Becoming a Politician

Fowler wanted to be a Member of Parliament (MP) since he was a child. In 1970, he was elected to represent the area of Nottingham South. When that area's boundaries were changed, he was elected as the MP for Sutton Coldfield in 1974. He would continue to represent this area until 2001.

In the mid-1970s, when his party was not in power, Fowler served as the Shadow Minister of Transport. This meant his job was to be an expert on transport and challenge the government's decisions.

Working in the Government

When Margaret Thatcher became Prime Minister in 1979, she made Fowler the Minister of State for Transport. He attended all the important government meetings, even though he wasn't an official member of the Cabinet at first.

Making Seat Belts Mandatory

As Secretary of State for Transport, one of Fowler's biggest achievements was making it a law for people to wear seat belts. The law was passed in 1981 and came into effect in 1983. This decision has saved thousands of lives over the years.

Raising Awareness About AIDS

In the 1980s, Fowler became the Secretary of State for Social Services. During this time, a new and dangerous disease called AIDS was becoming a major health crisis. Fowler led the UK's first major campaign to educate the public about it.

The government used posters, TV ads, and newspaper articles to spread information. A famous part of the campaign was a leaflet called "Don't Die of Ignorance", which was sent to every home in the country. Thanks to this campaign, almost everyone in the UK learned about the disease. This helped slow down its spread in the UK compared to other countries.

Some people, including Prime Minister Thatcher, were worried that the campaign was too direct. But Fowler believed it was necessary to be honest to protect public health. The next year, he was moved to a new role as Secretary of State for Employment.

Later Career and House of Lords

Fowler speaking from the Woolsack in 2021. His deputy and successor, Lord McFall of Alcluith, is behind him.

In 1990, Fowler decided to leave his senior government role. He said he wanted to spend more time with his family and young children. He was the first major politician to give this reason for resigning. After leaving the Cabinet, he was knighted by the Queen for his service.

He later returned to important political jobs, including being Chairman of the Conservative Party from 1992 to 1994. In 2001, he retired as a Member of Parliament.

After leaving the House of Commons, he was made a life peer and given the title Baron Fowler. This allowed him to sit in the House of Lords, the second house of the UK Parliament. In the Lords, members use their experience to check and improve laws.

In 2016, he was elected Lord Speaker, the person in charge of debates in the House of Lords. He supported the idea of reducing the number of members in the House of Lords to make it more efficient.

He stepped down as Lord Speaker in April 2021. He said he wanted to be free to speak out on issues he cared about, especially supporting people affected by HIV and AIDS.

Personal Life

Fowler married Fiona Poole in 1979. Together, they have two daughters. Fowler is also a stepfather to his wife's son from a previous marriage. He is a member of the National Union of Journalists.

See also

In Spanish: Norman Fowler para niños