Parliamentary career
Find out about the Parliamentary career of The Viscount Whitelaw, including posts and roles held.
UK Parliamentary constituency boundaries have changed following a review in 2023. For more information read this insight from the House of Commons Library: ‘Boundary review 2023: Which seats will change in the UK?’
Previous
Shows previous posts, roles and other relevant information.
Representations
Penrith and The Border [1983 - 1997]
Elected 1 time
9 June 1983
- 16 June 1983
Commons
Penrith and The Border [1974 - 1983]
Elected 3 times
28 February 1974
- 9 June 1983
Commons
Penrith and The Border [1950 - 1974]
Elected 5 times
26 May 1955
- 28 February 1974
Commons
Parliamentary party affiliation
Conservative
26 June 1955
- 1 July 1999
Elections contested
East Dunbartonshire
25 October 1951
Commons
East Dunbartonshire
23 February 1950
Commons
Government posts
Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Lords (Privy Council Office)
Privy Council Office
11 June 1983
- 9 January 1988
Commons
Home Secretary
Home Office
5 May 1979
- 10 June 1983
Commons
Deputy Prime Minister, Lord President of the Council (Cabinet Office) (with Special Responsibility for Political and Constitutional Reform)
Cabinet Office
4 May 1979
- 10 January 1988
Commons
Secretary of State for Employment
Department of Employment
2 December 1973
- 4 March 1974
Commons
Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland Office
24 April 1972
- 1 December 1973
Commons
Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House Lords (Privy Council Office)
Privy Council Office
20 June 1970
- 6 April 1972
Commons
Parliamentary Secretary (Ministry of Labour)
Ministry of Labour
1 January 1962
- 1 January 1964
Commons
Lord Commissioner (HM Treasury) (Whip)
HM Treasury
1 January 1961
- 1 January 1962
Commons
Assistant Whip (HM Treasury)
HM Treasury
1 January 1959
- 1 January 1961
Commons
Other posts
Deputy Chair, Conservative Party
12 February 1975
- 4 August 1991
Commons
Party Chair, Conservative Party
28 February 1974
- 11 February 1975
Commons
House membership
Lords
The Viscount Whitelaw
16 June 1983
- 1 July 1999
Commons
Sir William Whitelaw
26 May 1955
- 16 June 1983
Opposition posts
Shadow Secretary of State
HM Official Opposition
20 February 1975
- 3 May 1979
Commons
Shadow Secretary of State
HM Official Opposition
1 March 1974
- 3 May 1979
Commons
Shadow Minister without Portfolio
HM Official Opposition
28 February 1974
- 12 February 1975
Commons
Shadow Chief Whip (Commons)
Whips Office (Commons)
1 November 1964
- 18 June 1970
Commons