George Young

Conservative MP Hampshire North West

Date of birth

16 July 1941

Education

Eton
Christ Church, Oxford (BA philosophy, politics and economics 1963, MA)
Surrey University (MPhil)

Non-political career

Economic adviser, Post Office 1969-74

Electoral history

Member for Ealing Acton 1974-97, and for North West Hampshire since 1 May, 1997

Political profile

One of the Conservative's most distinguished backbenchers, Sir George Young has sat in the Commons since 1974, and served for 14 years as a minister.

He entered the government in 1979, but was returned to the backbenches by Mrs Thatcher in 1986 before having his ministerial career resurrected when John Major came to power.

He sat in the Cabinet as Transport Secretary for the last two years of the Conservative government.

His career hiatus under Mrs Thatcher was caused by her recognition that they were not ideologically compatible - he is the model of the paternalistic Conservative tradition, and was counted among the "wets".

He is an environmentally-minded cycling enthusiast, known as 'the bicycling baronet', and is a popular figure among all sides of the Commons.

He served in William Hague's Shadow Cabinet until October 2000, when he resigned to contest the Speakership.

Although he was reckoned to have the tacit support of Labour's leadership he lost out to Michael Martin, whom he graciously renominated after the 2001 election.

He now chairs the Standards and Privileges Committee.

Contact

020 7219 6665

E-mail: [e-mail]

Website: www.sirgeorgeyoung.org.uk