John Patten, Baron Patten

John Haggitt Charles Patten, Baron Patten, PC (born 17 July 1945) is a British politician. He was formerly Conservative Member of Parliament for Oxford and subsequently for Oxford West and Abingdon.

The Right Honourable The Lord Patten PC
Secretary of State for Education
In office 10 April 1992 – 20 July 1994
Prime Minister	John Major
Preceded by	Kenneth Clarke (Education and Science)
Succeeded by	Gillian Shephard
Minister of State for Home Affairs
In office 13 June 1987 – 10 April 1992
Prime Minister	Margaret Thatcher John Major
Preceded by	David Mellor
Succeeded by	Michael Jack
Minister of State for Housing
In office 2 September 1985 – 13 June 1987
Prime Minister	Margaret Thatcher
Preceded by	Ian Gow
Succeeded by	The Hon. William Waldegrave
Member of Parliament for Oxford West and Abingdon Oxford (1979–1983)
In office 3 May 1979 – 8 April 1997
Preceded by	Evan Luard
Succeeded by	Evan Harris
Personal details
Born	(1945-07-17) 17 July 1945 (age 80)
Political party	Conservative
Alma mater	Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge

Early life

A Roman Catholic, he was educated by the Jesuits at Wimbledon College before graduating from Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge. Patten then moved to the University of Oxford, working as a Geography Fellow, and taught political geography to former UK Prime Minister Theresa May while she was a student at St Hugh's College, Oxford.^[1][2]

Parliamentary career

He was first elected for Oxford in 1979, transferring to Oxford West and Abingdon in 1983 after boundary changes divided the seat. He stood down at the 1997 general election. The seat was subsequently won by the Liberal Democrat Evan Harris.

Patten was offered the role of Secretary of State for Northern Ireland by Margaret Thatcher, but refused.^[3]

Patten served as Secretary of State for Education from 1992 to 1994. He was interviewed at some length by Brian Sherratt in 1994 regarding his role as Secretary of State.^[4] While he was Education Secretary, Patten described Birmingham education chief Tim Brighouse as "a madman ... wandering the streets, frightening the children." Brighouse sued, and won substantial damages which were donated to educational charities.^[5]

House of Lords

Patten was created a life peer as Baron Patten of Wincanton in the County of Somerset on 17 June 1997.^[6] In 2013, Patten voted against the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act 2013.

Coat of arms of John Patten, Baron Patten

Crest Rising from a mount Vert a buzzard Sable grasping in the dexter claws a long cross Or. Escutcheon Vert a chief per fess Vert and vairy Argent and Sable. Supporters On either side a horse Sable langued Vert standing upon a compartment of grass Vert growing therefrom two Madonna lilies slipped and leaved Proper. Motto Curriculum Curre (Run The Race)[7]

Family

He is married to the businesswoman Louise Patten, whom he taught at St Hugh's College, Oxford,^[8] and they have one daughter, Mary-Claire, married to Daniel Lloyd Johnson of Essex.^[9]

Other work

He was on the governing body of Abingdon School from 1983 to 1986.^[10] He has been a senior advisor to Charterhouse Capital Partners since 2001.^[11]