Member of Parliament for South Shields
Biography - Previous Role
My first job is to represent South Shields in Parliament. But I am also privileged to be a member of the Government as Foreign Secretary.
Details of my previous government postings can be found below.
Secretary of State for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs
2006-2007
The Secretary of State:
- has overall responsibility for all Departmental issues
- represents the UK at the EU Agriculture and Fisheries Council and at the EU Environment Council; and
- leads for the UK in other international negotiations on sustainable development and climate change.
About DEFRA
Defra's core purpose is to improve the current and future quality of life.
For the first time one department has brought together the interests of farmers and the countryside; the environment and the rural economy; the food we eat, the air we breathe and the water we drink.
We do all this by integrating environmental, social and economic objectives - putting sustainable development into practice every day, and by championing sustainable development as the way forward for Government.
Who are we? - learn about Defra's Ministers and how the Department is managed and organised.
What do we do? - information on Defra's role as set out in our Five Year Strategy which describes the outcomes we are seeking to achieve.
How do we work? - find out . more about our business planning, procurement and accounting procedures.
International events - Defra plays an important role globally as well as within the UK. Find out more about our work towards the EU Presidency, G8 Presidency and other international events.
Other Roles
Minister of Communities and Local Government - 2005 - 2006
Minister of State in The Cabinet Office - 2004 until 2005
Minister for School Standards - 2002 until 2004