Holding the demanding agriculture portfolio, Nick Brown has been under severe pressure as the industry faces its biggest crisis for 50 years, according to farmers' unions. He contributed to the lifting of the beef export ban and announced two farming aid packages worth £120m and £150m for sheep and cattle farmers.
He has also had to tackle falling consumer confidence, which hopes to address with the establishment of the new Food Standards Agency. He has represented the Tyneside area for 20 years, first as councillor and then as MP for Newcastle-upon-Tyne East.
He started his political life as a local councillor and in opposition was a spokesman on legal matters, the Treasury, health, and then deputy chief whip. He has served on Labour's front bench since 1985 as chief whip and has also been shadow leader of the Commons. When he revealed his homosexuality in November 1998 the prime minister and fellow ministers rallied round to support him.
