Paul Murphy, Baron Murphy of Torfaen facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
The Lord Murphy of Torfaen
KCMCO KSG PC
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Official portrait, 2019
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| Secretary of State for Wales | |
| In office 24 January 2008 – 5 June 2009 |
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| Prime Minister | Gordon Brown |
| Preceded by | Peter Hain |
| Succeeded by | Peter Hain |
| In office 28 July 1999 – 24 October 2002 |
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| Prime Minister | Tony Blair |
| Preceded by | Alun Michael |
| Succeeded by | Peter Hain |
| Chair of the Intelligence and Security Committee | |
| In office 6 May 2005 – 24 January 2008 |
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| Preceded by | Ann Taylor |
| Succeeded by | Margaret Beckett |
| Secretary of State for Northern Ireland | |
| In office 24 October 2002 – 6 May 2005 |
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| Prime Minister | Tony Blair |
| Preceded by | John Reid |
| Succeeded by | Peter Hain |
| First Minister of Northern Ireland | |
| In office 24 October 2002 – 6 May 2005 |
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| Monarch | Elizabeth II |
| Prime Minister | Tony Blair |
| Preceded by | John Reid |
| Succeeded by | Peter Hain |
| Member of the House of Lords Lord Temporal |
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| Assumed office 20 October 2015 Life Peerage |
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| Member of Parliament for Torfaen |
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| In office 11 June 1987 – 30 March 2015 |
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| Preceded by | Leo Abse |
| Succeeded by | Nick Thomas-Symonds |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 25 November 1948 Usk, Monmouthshire, Wales |
| Political party | Labour |
| Alma mater | Oriel College, Oxford |
| Website | Constituency website |
Paul Peter Murphy, Baron Murphy of Torfaen (born 25 November 1948) is a British politician from the Labour Party. He was a Member of Parliament (MP) for Torfaen from 1987 to 2015. He also served as a government minister in the Cabinet from 1999 to 2005 and again from 2008 to 2009. His main roles were Northern Irish Secretary and Welsh Secretary. After leaving the House of Commons, he was given a life peerage, which means he became a member of the House of Lords for life.
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Early Life and Education
Paul Peter Murphy was born on 25 November 1948. His father, Ronald, was a miner with Irish family roots. His mother, Marjorie, was English. The family was very religious and followed the Catholic faith.
Paul Murphy went to school at St Francis Roman Catholic School in Abersychan. He also attended West Monmouth School in Pontypool. Later, he studied history at Oriel College, Oxford, a famous university.
After university, he worked for a short time as a management trainee. He then became a teacher, lecturing in Government and History at Ebbw Vale College of Further Education. This college is now part of Coleg Gwent.
Starting in Politics
Paul Murphy became interested in politics at a young age. He joined the Labour Party when he was just 15 years old. He also became a member of the Transport and General Workers Union, a large workers' organization.
From 1971 to 1987, he was the Secretary for the local Labour Party in Pontypool/Torfaen. He also served on the Torfaen Council from 1973 to 1987. During this time, he was in charge of the council's finance committee for ten years. In 1979, he stood for election as an MP in the Wells area, but he did not win.
Working as an MP
Paul Murphy was first elected as an MP for Torfaen in the 1987 general election. Torfaen is a constituency in Wales.
When the Labour Party was not in power, he worked as a spokesperson for foreign affairs. Later, he became a spokesperson for the navy in the Defence team.
Government Roles
After the 1997 election, Paul Murphy was given a role as a Minister of State for Northern Ireland. This meant he helped the main minister in that department.
In July 1999, he became a full member of the Cabinet. He was appointed Secretary of State for Wales on 28 July 1999. This job meant he was the main government minister responsible for Wales.
In 2002, he moved to a different department. He became the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland. He held this important role until 2005. After that, he became the chairman of the Intelligence and Security Committee. This committee oversees the UK's intelligence agencies.
In 2008, he was again appointed Secretary of State for Wales. This happened after the previous minister, Peter Hain, resigned. He also led a new committee that looked at computer and information security for the government. In April 2008, he was given another role as the Government's Minister for Digital Inclusion.
Before joining the Cabinet, he played a key role in negotiating parts of the Good Friday Agreement. This agreement was very important for bringing peace to Northern Ireland.
He left the Cabinet in 2009. Peter Hain took over his role as Welsh Secretary.
Supporting Education
In 2013, Paul Murphy wrote a report about Welsh state schools. The report looked at why fewer students from these schools were getting into top universities like Oxbridge (Oxford and Cambridge).
His report suggested creating the Seren Network. This network would be a group of regional centres. These centres would help connect schools with top universities. The goal was to help more Welsh students get into these universities.
Views on Devolution
In 1979, Paul Murphy was against the idea of devolution for Wales. Devolution means giving more power to local governments or assemblies, away from the central government.
However, his views changed over time. In 1997, he voted in favour of devolution. He explained that even though his local area voted against a Welsh Assembly twice, he now sees that devolution is a reality. He believes politicians must work with the current system for the good of the people they represent.
Life in the House of Lords
On 20 October 2015, Paul Murphy was made a life peer. This means he was given the title Baron Murphy of Torfaen. As a life peer, he became a member of the House of Lords. The House of Lords is the second chamber of the UK Parliament.
He is also a member of the Oxford and Cambridge Club.
