Paul Boateng facts for kids

Quick facts for kids The Right Honourable The Lord Boateng CVO PC DL
Official portrait, 2020
British High Commissioner to South Africa
In office 14 March 2005 – 26 April 2009
Monarch	Elizabeth II
President	Thabo Mbeki Kgalema Motlanthe
Preceded by	Ann Grant
Succeeded by	Nicola Brewer
Chief Secretary to the Treasury
In office 29 May 2002 – 5 May 2005
Prime Minister	Tony Blair
Preceded by	Andrew Smith
Succeeded by	Des Browne
Financial Secretary to the Treasury
In office 8 June 2001 – 28 May 2002
Prime Minister	Tony Blair
Preceded by	Stephen Timms
Succeeded by	Ruth Kelly
Minister of State for Home Affairs
In office 27 October 1998 – 8 June 2001
Prime Minister	Tony Blair
Preceded by	Alun Michael
Succeeded by	John Denham
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Disabled People
In office 4 May 1997 – 27 October 1998
Prime Minister	Tony Blair
Preceded by	Alistair Burt
Succeeded by	Margaret Hodge
Member of the House of Lords Lord Temporal
Incumbent
Assumed office 1 July 2010 Life Peerage
Member of Parliament for Brent South
In office 11 June 1987 – 11 April 2005
Preceded by	Laurie Pavitt
Succeeded by	Dawn Butler
Personal details
Born	(1951-06-14) 14 June 1951 (age 74) Hackney Central, London, England
Political party	Labour
Spouses	Janet, Lady Boateng
Children	5
Alma mater	University of Bristol

Paul Yaw Boateng, Baron Boateng, (born 14 June 1951) is a British politician for the Labour Party. He is known for making history in several important roles.

In 2002, he became the United Kingdom's first Black Cabinet Minister. A Cabinet Minister is one of the most senior people in the government. Before that, he was a lawyer who fought for people's rights.

From 1987 to 2005, he was a Member of Parliament (MP) for the area of Brent South. After leaving Parliament, he became the British High Commissioner to South Africa. In 2010, he became a member of the House of Lords, where he helps make laws.

Early Life and Education

Paul Boateng was born in Hackney, London. His father was from Ghana and his mother was from Scotland. When Paul was four, his family moved to Ghana. His father was a lawyer and a government minister there.

Paul went to school in Ghana. But when he was 15, his life changed suddenly. A military group took over the government in Ghana, and his father was put in prison. Paul and his sister had to escape to the United Kingdom with their mother.

They settled in a town called Hemel Hempstead. Paul finished his schooling there and went on to study law at the University of Bristol.

Career as a Lawyer

After university, Boateng became a lawyer focused on civil rights. Civil rights are the basic rights that every person should have. He started as a solicitor and later became a barrister (a type of lawyer who argues cases in court).

He worked on cases about women's rights, housing problems, and complaints against the police. He wanted to make sure everyone was treated fairly. For example, he represented Cherry Groce, a mother who was badly injured by a police officer during a raid on her home.

Political Career

In 1981, Boateng was elected to the Greater London Council. This was a type of local government for London at the time. He worked to make the police more accountable for their actions. He also spoke out against racism.

Becoming a Member of Parliament

In 1987, Boateng was elected as the Member of Parliament (MP) for Brent South. He was one of the first Black British MPs to be elected in many years. In his victory speech, he famously said, "Today Brent South, tomorrow Soweto!" This showed his support for the fight against apartheid in South Africa.

As an MP, he was first part of the left-wing of the Labour Party. But over time, his views became more moderate. The party leader, Neil Kinnock, gave him an important job as a spokesperson for the party. This made him the first Black person to join the party's main team of spokespeople, known as the front bench.

Serving as a Government Minister

When the Labour Party won the election in 1997, Boateng became the UK's first Black government minister. His first role was to help with health services, especially for people with disabilities.

In 1998, he moved to the Home Office, a government department that deals with crime and safety. He became known for being tough on crime. In 2000, he also became the first Minister for Young People. He worked to understand the problems young people faced and started a fund to help children living in poverty.

Making History in the Cabinet

In May 2002, Paul Boateng was promoted to Chief Secretary to the Treasury. This made him the first Black person to become a member of the Cabinet. The Cabinet is the group of the most important ministers who make key decisions for the country.

His appointment was celebrated as a major step forward for Black Britons in politics. A special painting was made of him to mark this achievement. It now hangs in the UK Parliament.

As Chief Secretary, he was in charge of government spending. He helped plan how to save money and make public services more efficient. He also worked on policies to improve children's services.

Boateng was very passionate about helping Africa. He believed that richer countries should give more aid to developing nations. He helped write a report that called for Western nations to increase their aid to Africa.

Life After Parliament

In 2005, Boateng decided not to run for re-election as an MP. Because of his passion for Africa, he was appointed as the High Commissioner to South Africa. A High Commissioner is like an ambassador to another country in the Commonwealth of Nations. He was the first Black person to hold this role for Britain.

He worked to build a strong relationship with the South African government. He also spoke at international meetings about issues facing Africa.

Joining the House of Lords

In 2010, Paul Boateng was made a member of the House of Lords. This is the second house of the UK Parliament. Members are usually chosen for their experience and knowledge. He was given the title Baron Boateng.

In the House of Lords, he continues to speak up for people in need. He has focused on the needs of poor and disadvantaged children.

Roles Outside of Politics

Paul Boateng is an active member of the Methodist Church and works as a lay preacher. He has also been involved in many other organisations.

• He was part of a group that watched the historic 1994 elections in South Africa, which ended apartheid.
• He has served on the boards of the English National Opera and the English Touring Opera.
• He is the chair of a charity called BookAid International, which sends books to people around the world.
• In 2019, he became the Chancellor of the University of Greenwich.

Honours and Awards

• In 1988, he received the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Award for his work in civil rights.
• In 2003, he was named one of the "100 Great Black Britons".
• He has received honorary degrees from several universities.
• In 2023, he was appointed a Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (CVO) for his work with the Duke of Edinburgh's International Award.

Personal Life

Boateng is married to Janet, who was also involved in local politics. They have five children.

See also

• Black British elite