Michael Portillo

The Right Honourable Michael Denzil Xavier Portillo (born 26 May 1953) is a journalist and was a British Conservative politician.

In government

Portillo retained the Enfield Southgate seat until 1997. Initially he was a PPS to John Moore and then assistant whip. In 1987 he was made under secretary for Social Security, in 1988 he was given his first ministerial post as Minister of State for Transport. He then held the local government portfolio (1990). He demonstrated a consistently hard right line and was favoured by Norman Tebbit and Margaret Thatcher. His rise continued under John Major, he was made a Cabinet Minister as Chief Secretary to the Treasury (1992) and then held the portfolios of Employment (1994) and then Defence (1995-1997). The Defence job was a reward for his cautious loyalty to Major during the leadership challenge of John Redwood. During this time he opposed the admission of homosexuals to the Armed Forces, a stance which would later return to haunt him.

Related Topics:
Enfield Southgate seat - 1997 - PPS - John Moore - 1987 - 1988 - Minister - 1990 - Norman Tebbit - Margaret Thatcher - John Major - Chief Secretary to the Treasury - 1992 - 1994 - 1995 - John Redwood

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