Paul Boateng facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
The Lord Boateng
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Official portrait, 2020
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| British High Commissioner to South Africa | |
| In office 14 March 2005 – 26 April 2009 |
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| Monarch | Elizabeth II |
| President | |
| Preceded by | Ann Grant |
| Succeeded by | Nicola Brewer |
| Chief Secretary to the Treasury | |
| In office 29 May 2002 – 5 May 2005 |
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| 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 |
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| 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 |
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| 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 |
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| Prime Minister | Tony Blair |
| Preceded by | Alistair Burt |
| Succeeded by | Margaret Hodge |
| Member of the House of Lords Lord Temporal |
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| Assumed office 1 July 2010 Life Peerage |
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| Member of Parliament for Brent South |
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| In office 11 June 1987 – 11 April 2005 |
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| Preceded by | Laurie Pavitt |
| Succeeded by | Dawn Butler |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 14 June 1951 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 Labour Party politician. He was a civil rights lawyer before becoming a Member of Parliament (MP) for Brent South from 1987 to 2005. In May 2002, he made history as the UK's first Black Cabinet Minister. After leaving Parliament, he served as the British High Commissioner to South Africa from 2005 to 2009. He joined the House of Lords in 2010.
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Early Life and Education
Paul Boateng was born in Hackney, London. His family moved to Ghana when he was four years old. His father, Kwaku Boateng, was a lawyer and a government minister in Ghana.
Paul attended the Ghana International School and the Accra Academy in Ghana. When he was 15, his father was imprisoned after a military coup. Paul, his sister, and their mother then moved to the UK.
They settled in Hemel Hempstead, where he went to Apsley Grammar School. He later studied law at the University of Bristol.
Starting His Career in Law
Paul Boateng began his career helping people with their civil rights. He first worked as a solicitor and then as a barrister. These are both types of lawyers. He focused on cases about women's rights, housing, and complaints against the police.
From 1977 to 1981, he was a legal advisor for the "Scrap Sus Campaign." This group worked to change a law that allowed police to stop and search people easily. He also helped a woman named Cherry Groce, who was injured during a police raid. Paul became a partner at a law firm and practiced law at Eight King's Bench Walk.
Becoming a Politician
In 1981, Paul Boateng was elected to the Greater London Council. This was a local government body for London. He worked to make the police more accountable and spoke out against racism.
Serving as a Member of Parliament
In 1987, Paul Boateng was elected as the MP for Brent South. He was one of the first non-white British MPs in many years. He was elected alongside other Black MPs like Bernie Grant and Diane Abbott.
After his win, he famously said: "Today Brent South, tomorrow Soweto!" This showed his support for freedom in South Africa.
Paul Boateng became a spokesperson for the Labour Party in 1989. He was the first Black person to join the party's main team of spokespeople. He worked on topics like economics and business. From 1992, he focused on legal services and encouraged lawyers to offer free help to people who couldn't afford it.
Working as a Government Minister
When the Labour Party won the election in 1997, Paul Boateng became the UK's first Black government minister. He was a junior minister for health, focusing on social services and disabled people. He helped create rules to stop adoption denials based on a child's race.
In 1998, he became a senior minister at the Home Office. He was known for being tough on crime.
Focus on Young People and Children
In 2000, Paul Boateng became the first Minister for Young People. His main goal was to listen to young people and represent their voices. He started a large project to understand social exclusion among young people. He also helped launch a £450 million fund to fight child poverty.
Making History in the Cabinet
In 2001, Paul Boateng became the Financial Secretary to the Treasury. Then, in May 2002, he was promoted to Chief Secretary to the Treasury. This made him Britain's first Black Cabinet Minister. He said, "My colour is part of me but I do not choose to be defined by my colour."
His appointment was celebrated by many who saw it as a sign of hope. A painting of him was made to mark this historic moment. As Chief Secretary, he helped manage government spending and worked to save money in the public sector.
Paul Boateng also played a key role in the "Every Child Matters" policy. This policy aimed to improve services for children. He also strongly supported increasing aid to Africa and other developing countries. He helped Gordon Brown write a report that called for more aid to Africa.
In 2005, he decided not to run for re-election as an MP.
Representing the UK in South Africa
Because of his strong interest in Africa, Tony Blair appointed Paul Boateng as the High Commissioner to South Africa. This made him the first Black ambassador in British history. Many people in Africa saw this as an important step away from Britain's colonial past.
He built strong relationships with the South African government. He also spoke at the World Economic Forum about issues facing Africa.
Joining the House of Lords
In 2010, Paul Boateng became a member of the House of Lords. He was given the title Baron Boateng. In his first speech there, he talked about the needs of poor children. He asked the government to consider how their decisions would affect children at risk.
In 2011, he spoke out against cuts to funding for Citizens Advice Bureau centers. These centers offer free advice to people.
Other Important Roles
Paul Boateng is an active member of the Methodist church and a lay preacher. He has worked with the World Council of Churches to fight racism. He also helped monitor the 1994 elections in South Africa, which ended apartheid.
He has served on the boards of opera companies, like the English National Opera. He has also been a commentator on TV and radio shows.
He has held positions with charities, including Food for the Hungry and Book Aid International. In 2019, he became the Chancellor of the University of Greenwich.
Awards and Recognitions
- In 1988, he received the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Award for his work in civil rights.
- In 2003, he was named on the list of "100 Great Black Britons".
- He has received honorary Doctor of Law degrees from several universities.
- In 2023, he was appointed Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (CVO) for his work as a trustee for the Duke of Edinburgh's International Award.
Family Life
Paul Boateng is married to Janet, who was also a local politician. They have five children together.
See also
- Black British elite
