Sally Oppenheim-Barnes facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
The Baroness Oppenheim-Barnes
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|
|---|---|
| Minister of State for Consumer Affairs | |
| In office 6 May 1979 – 4 March 1982 |
|
| Prime Minister | Margaret Thatcher |
| Preceded by | John Fraser |
| Succeeded by | Gerard Vaughan |
| Member of the House of Lords | |
| Life peerage 9 February 1989 – 25 February 2019 |
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| Member of Parliament for Gloucester |
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| In office 18 June 1970 – 18 May 1987 |
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| Preceded by | Jack Diamond |
| Succeeded by | Douglas French |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Sarah Amelia Viner
26 July 1928 Dublin, Ireland |
| Died | 1 January 2025 (aged 96) |
| Nationality | British |
| Political party | Conservative |
| Spouses |
Henry Oppenheim
(m. 1949; died 1980)John Barnes
(m. 1984) |
| Children | 3 |
Sally Oppenheim-Barnes (born Sarah Amelia Viner; 26 July 1928 – 1 January 2025) was an important British politician. She was a member of the Conservative Party. She was also known as Baroness Oppenheim-Barnes, which is a special title given to people who serve in the House of Lords. She was also a member of the Privy Council, a group of advisors to the King or Queen.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Sally Oppenheim-Barnes was born in Dublin, Ireland, on 26 July 1928. Her birth name was Sarah Amelia Viner. She grew up and went to school in Sheffield, England. Her father started a company there that made steel and cutlery.
After finishing school at Lowther College, she worked as a social worker in London. This job involved helping people in need. Later, she decided to get involved in politics. In 1968, she changed her first names from Sarah Amelia to Sally.
Political Career
Sally Oppenheim-Barnes began her political journey in 1970. She ran for election in the area of Gloucester. She won the election, becoming a Member of Parliament (MP). An MP is someone elected to represent their local area in the House of Commons.
Serving as an MP
She continued to be the MP for Gloucester until 1987. During this time, she held an important role in the government. From 1979 to 1982, she was the Minister of State for Consumer Affairs. This job meant she helped make sure that people buying goods and services were treated fairly.
Roles After Parliament
After leaving the House of Commons, Sally Oppenheim-Barnes continued to work for public good. From 1987 to 1989, she led the National Consumer Council. This group helps protect the rights of consumers.
She also became a vice-president of the National Union of Townswomen’s Guilds. This organization supports women in local communities. She also chaired the National Waterways Museum, which looks after the history of canals and rivers.
Becoming a Baroness
In 1989, Sally Oppenheim-Barnes received a special honor. She was made a life peer, which means she was given the title of Baroness Oppenheim-Barnes. This title allowed her to become a member of the House of Lords. The House of Lords is the second chamber of the UK Parliament.
Her son, Phillip Oppenheim, also became a Conservative MP. For a few years, from 1983 to 1987, both mother and son served in the House of Commons at the same time. Baroness Oppenheim-Barnes retired from the House of Lords in 2019.
Personal Life
In 1949, Sally Viner married Henry Oppenheim. He was a successful businessman. They had three children together. Henry Oppenheim passed away in 1980.
In 1984, she married her second husband, John Barnes. Sally Oppenheim-Barnes lived to be 96 years old. She passed away on 1 January 2025.
