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First Blair ministry

The first Blair ministry lasted from May 1997 to June 2001. After eighteen years in opposition, Labour ousted the Conservatives at the May 1997 election with a 179-seat majority. The Prime Minister, Tony Blair, who turned 44 years old days after leading Labour to victory, was the youngest Prime Minister of the twentieth century.

This article is about the people in Tony Blair’s administration. For the events of Tony Blair's first term as prime minister, see Premiership of Tony Blair § First term (1997–2001).

First Blair ministry

2 May 1997 (1997-05-02)

8 June 2001 (2001-06-08)

Elizabeth II

Tony Blair

1997–2007

John Prescott

Majority

418 / 659 (63%)

1997 general election

2001 general election

52nd UK Parliament

Second Major ministry

Second Blair ministry

July 1998 –

1999 British cabinet reshuffle

October 1998 – becomes Welsh Secretary. Ron Davies leaves the Cabinet.

Alun Michael

December 1998 – is dismissed from the cabinet over a secret home loan he received from Geoffrey Robinson. Stephen Byers becomes Trade & Industry Secretary. Alan Milburn becomes Chief Secretary to the Treasury.

Peter Mandelson

May 1999 – becomes Scottish Secretary. Donald Dewar leaves the cabinet.

John Reid

July 1999 – becomes Welsh Secretary. Alun Michael leaves the cabinet.

Paul Murphy

October 1999 – becomes Chief Secretary to the Treasury. Geoff Hoon becomes Defence Secretary. Alan Milburn becomes Health Secretary. Peter Mandelson returns to the cabinet as Northern Ireland Secretary. Mo Mowlam becomes Cabinet Office Minister and Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster. Gareth Williams becomes Attorney General. John Morris, George Robertson, Jack Cunningham and Frank Dobson leave the cabinet.

Andrew Smith

January 2001 – is dismissed as Northern Ireland Secretary and is succeeded by John Reid. Helen Liddell enters the cabinet and succeeds John Reid as Scottish Secretary.

Peter Mandelson

Ministers in the Labour Governments: 1997–2010 – Parliamentary Information List, House of Commons Library, 3 July 2012

D. Butler and G. Butler (ed.), Twentieth Century British Political Facts 1900–2000

(PDF). House of Commons Library. 24 February 2009.

"Ministerial Departures since 1997 – Parliamentary Information List"