The Baron Howarth of Newport, CBE, PC, who died 10 September, 2025, aged 81, was a junior minister under Margaret Thatcher and John Major who became disenchanted with Conservative social policies and in 1995 crossed the floor to Labour, going on to be disability and then arts minister for Tony Blair.
Howarth joined Willie Whitelaw in the Tory party chairman’s office and became a key part of the team that took Mrs Thatcher to power in 1979.
He was one of only a few politicians in recent years to have served as a minister in both Labour and Conservative governments. He sat in the House of Lords as a Labour life peer.
Alan Thomas Howarth was Conservative MP for Stratford-on-Avon 1983-95, and for Labour 1995-97, and afterwards Labour MP for Newport East. He was appointed CBE in 1982, and sworn of the Privy Council, 2000.
He was born 11 June, 1944, son of Thomas E.B. Howarth, MC, TD, and his wife Margaret. He married 1967 (div. 1996), Gillian Martha Chance, daughter of Arthur Chance, of Dublin, by whom he had issue, two sons and two daughters. He was later the partner of the Baroness Hollis of Heigham, PC, DL (1941-2018).
He was Private Secretary to the Chairman of the Conservative Party 1975-79, Director, Conservative Res. Dept 1979-81; Vice-Chairman of the Conservative Party, 1980-81; PPS to Dr Rhodes Boyson, MP 1985-87; an Assistant Government Whip 1987-88; Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury, 1988-89; Parliamentary Uner Secretary of State, DES, 1989-1992; Schools Minister 1989-90; Minister for High Education and Science 1990-1992; DFEE 1997-98; Employment Minister & Minister for Disabled People; Minister for the Arts & Sec of Conservative Arts & Heritage Committee 1984-85; PLP Social Security Committee 1996-97; Member of the National Heritage Select Ctte 1992-93; Member Social Security Select Committee 1996-97; Member of the Intellifence & Security Cttee, &c. Was Vice Chairman, British Dyslexia Assoc 1994-97; a Governor of the Royal Shakespeare Theatre 1984-97, &c.
He was created a life peer in 2005 and his peerage was gazetted in the name, style and title of Baron Howarth of Newport, of Newport in the County of Gwent.
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