First Blair ministry
The first Blair ministry lasted from May 1997 to June 2001. Following eighteen years in opposition, Labour ousted the Conservatives at the May 1997 election with a 179-seat majority. The Prime Minister, Tony Blair, who turned 44 years old days after leading Labour to victory, was the youngest prime minister of the twentieth century.
Cabinet
Changes
- July 1998 – 1999 British cabinet reshuffle
- October 1998 – Alun Michael becomes Welsh Secretary. Ron Davies leaves the Cabinet.
- December 1998 – Peter Mandelson is dismissed from the cabinet over a secret home loan he received from Geoffrey Robinson. Stephen Byers becomes Trade & Industry Secretary. Alan Milburn becomes Chief Secretary to the Treasury.
- May 1999 – John Reid becomes Scottish Secretary. Donald Dewar leaves the cabinet.
- July 1999 – Paul Murphy becomes Welsh Secretary. Alun Michael leaves the cabinet.
- October 1999 – Andrew Smith becomes Chief Secretary to the Treasury. Geoff Hoon becomes Defence Secretary. Alan Milburn becomes Health Secretary. Peter Mandelson returns to the cabinet as Northern Ireland Secretary. Mo Mowlam becomes Cabinet Office Minister and Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster. Gareth Williams becomes Attorney General. John Morris, George Robertson, Jack Cunningham and Frank Dobson leave the cabinet.
- January 2001 – Peter Mandelson is dismissed as Northern Ireland Secretary and is succeeded by John Reid. Helen Liddell enters the cabinet and succeeds John Reid as Scottish Secretary.