Alan Milburn

Labour MP Darlington

Date of birth

27 January 1958

Political profile

Alan Milburn has made a spectacular return to frontbech politics with his appointment as chancellor of the duchy of lancaster in the prime minister's September 2004 reshuffle.

Mr Milburn's new job gives him control of Labour party policy formation and a crucial role in the co-ordination of Labour's 2005 election campaign.

It has been suggested that Mr Milburn's new respinsibilities might lead him into conflict with the chancellor Gordon Brown.

Alan Milburn had unexpectedly resigned as health secretary in June 2003 he said the burden of being a cabinet minister was preventing him spending enough time with his young family.

He had been one of Tony Blair's most highly trusted ministers since being promoted after Secretary Frank Dobson's resignation as health secretary in 1999.

Mr Milburn had moved rapidly through the ministerial ranks since joining the government as a junior health minister when Labour came to power; he also served briefly as chief secretary to the Treasury, where he proved to have a Brownite view of the public purse strings.

A former left-wing union activist, he became seen as one of the most intellectually committed New Labour modernisers and put in place radical reforms of the NHS.

In the Commons chamber he was one of the more partisan members of the cabinet, known for attacks on the opposition.

Contact

Constituency office 01325 380366

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