Conservative MP for Rushcliffe, Ken Clarke is the new Secretary of State for Justice and Lord Chancellor. Taking the role of Labour’s Secretary of State for Justice Jack Straw.

Ken Clarke served in government ministerial positions through out the entire 18 years of Conservative government under Margaret Thatcher and John Major so brings a lot of government experience to his new roles.

Ken Clarke ran for Conservative party leader three times, loosing three times. He has a Law degree from Cambridge University, where he graduated with a 2:1. On leaving Cambridge, Ken Clarke was called to the Bar in 1963 by Gray’s Inn and took silk in 1980, becoming a QC. In 1970 he became Conservative MP for Rushcliffe and has served in a number of ministerial roles:

Paymaster General : 2 September 1985 – 13 July 1987
Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster : 13 July 1987 – 25 July 1988
Secretary of State for Health : 25 July 1988 – 2 November 1990
Secretary of State for Education and Science : 2 November 1990 – 10 April 1992
Home Secretary : 10 April 1992 – 27 May 1993
Chancellor of the Exchequer : 27 May 1993 – 2 May 1997

Shadow Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills : 19 January 2009 – 11 May 2010