The third Blair ministry was the government of the United Kingdom from 2005 to 2007. The 2005 general election saw the Labour Party win a historic third successive term in power, though their majority now stood at 66 seats—compared to 167 four years earlier—and they failed to gain any new seats. Blair had already declared that the new term in Parliament would be his last.
The War in Afghanistan and the Iraq War continued during his last ministry, and the 7/7 bombings also took place. Blair's government responded by introducing a range of anti-terror legislation, including the passing of the contentious Identity Cards Act 2006 legislation (repealed in 2011). Blair announced in 2006 that he would resign as prime minister and Labour leader within a year. He resigned on 27 June 2007 and was succeeded by Gordon Brown, his chancellor since 1997.
Cabinet PortfolioPortrait Minister TermCabinet ministersPrime MinisterFirst Lord of the TreasuryMinister for the Civil ServiceTony Blair1997–2007Deputy Prime MinisterFirst Secretary of StateSecretary of State for Local Government and the Regions 2002–May 2006John Prescott1997–2007Chancellor of the ExchequerSecond Lord of the TreasuryGordon Brown1997–2007Lord High Chancellor of Great BritainSecretary of State for Constitutional Affairs 2003–May 2007Secretary of State for Justice May–June 2007Charlie Falconer, Baron Falconer of Thoroton2003–2007Home SecretaryCharles Clarke2004–2006John Reid2006–2007Foreign SecretaryJack Straw2001–2006Margaret Beckett2006–2007Leader of the House of CommonsLord Keeper of the Privy SealGeoff Hoon2005–2006Jack Straw2006–2007Leader of the House of LordsLord President of the CouncilValerie Amos, Baroness Amos2003–2007Secretary of State for Culture, Media and SportMinister for the OlympicsTessa Jowell2001–2007Secretary of State for DefenceJohn Reid2005–2006Des Browne2006–2008Secretary of State for Education and SkillsRuth Kelly2004–2006Alan Johnson2006–2007Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsMargaret Beckett2001–2006David Miliband2006–2007Secretary of State for HealthPatricia Hewitt2005–2007Secretary of State for International DevelopmentHilary Benn2003–2007Secretary of State for Northern IrelandPeter Hain2002–2008Secretary of State for Wales2005–2007Secretary of State for Trade and IndustryPresident of the Board of TradeAlan Johnson2005–2006Alistair Darling2006–2007Secretary of State for TransportSecretary of State for Scotland2003–2006Douglas Alexander2006–2007Secretary of State for Communities and Local GovernmentRuth Kelly2006–2007Secretary of State for Work and PensionsDavid Blunkett2005John Hutton2005–2007Minister for the Cabinet OfficeChancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster2005Jim Murphy (Acting)2005–2006Hilary Armstrong2006–2007Chief Secretary to the TreasuryDes Browne2005–2006Stephen Timms2006–2007Minister Without PortfolioChairman of the Labour PartyIan McCartney2003–2006Hazel Blears2006–2007Also attending cabinet meetingsChief WhipParliamentary Secretary to the TreasuryHilary Armstrong2001–2006Jacqui Smith2006–2007
Changes
November 2005 – David Blunkett resigns his post as Secretary of State for Work and Pensions. He is replaced by John Hutton, leaving the post of Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster vacant for six months. May 2006 – Following a poor showing in the local council elections, Blair reshuffles his cabinet. Charles Clarke, Geoff Hoon and Ian McCartney leave the Cabinet. Jack Straw becomes Leader of the House of Commons and Lord Keeper of the Privy Seal. Margaret Beckett is promoted to Foreign Secretary, John Reid to Home Secretary, David Miliband to Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and Des Browne to Secretary of State for Defence. Ruth Kelly takes a new post of Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, which replaces the post held by David Miliband and takes a number of responsibilities previously held by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister; Kelly will also serve as Minister for Women and Equality. Alan Johnson becomes Secretary of State for Education and Skills. Alistair Darling becomes Secretary of State for Trade and Industry. Hilary Armstrong becomes Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, Minister for the Cabinet Office and Minister for Social Exclusion. Douglas Alexander enters the Cabinet as Secretary of State for Transport and Secretary of State for Scotland. Hazel Blears enters the Cabinet as Minister Without Portfolio and Party Chair, Stephen Timms as Chief Secretary to the Treasury and Jacqui Smith as Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury and Chief Whip. May 2007 – The Home Office loses responsibility for criminal justice, prisons & probation and legal affairs which merges into the Department for Constitutional Affairs with Falconer becoming Secretary of State for Justice. June 2007 – On 27 June, Tony Blair officially tenders his resignation as Prime Minister to Queen Elizabeth II, with Deputy Prime Minister and First Secretary of State, John Prescott leaving office at the same time.
List of ministers
Prime Minister, the Cabinet Office and non-Departmental ministers Cabinet Office Tony Blair May 2005 – June 2007 John Prescott May 2005 – June 2007 John Hutton May 2005 – November 2005 Jim Murphy (acting) November 2005 – May 2006 Hilary Armstrong May 2006 – June 2007 Ian McCartney May 2005 - May 2006 Hazel Blears May 2006 - June 2007 Charlie Falconer, Baron Falconer of Thoroton May 2005 – June 2007 Jim Murphy May 2005 - May 2006 Pat McFadden May 2006 - June 2007 Ed Miliband May 2006 - June 2007
Departments of state
Treasury Chancellor of the Exchequer Gordon Brown May 2005 – June 2007 Chief Secretary to the Treasury Des Browne May 2005 – May 2006 Stephen Timms May 2006 – June 2007 Paymaster General Dawn Primarolo May 2005 – June 2007 Financial Secretary to the Treasury John Healey May 2005 – June 2007 Economic Secretary to the Treasury Ivan Lewis May 2005 – May 2006 Ed Balls May 2006 – June 2007
Foreign Office Foreign Secretary Jack Straw May 2005 – May 2006 Margaret Beckett May 2006 – June 2007 Minister of State for the Middle East Kim Howells May 2005 – June 2007 Minister of State for Europe Douglas Alexander May 2005 – May 2006 Geoff Hoon May 2006 – June 2007 Minister for Trade Ian Pearson (jointly with Trade & Industry) May 2005 - May 2006 Ian McCartney (jointly with Trade & Industry) May 2006 - June 2007 Parliamentary Under Secretary David Triesman, Baron Triesman May 2005 - June 2007 Home Office Home Secretary Charles Clarke May 2005 – May 2006 John Reid May 2006 – June 2007 Minister of State for Security, Policing and Community Safety Hazel Blears May 2005 – May 2006 Tony McNulty May 2006 – June 2007 Minister of State for Immigration Tony McNulty May 2005 – May 2006 Liam Byrne May 2006 – June 2007 Minister for Criminal Justice & Offender Management Patricia Scotland, Baroness Scotland of Asthal May 2005 - June 2007 Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Correctional Services and Reducing Re-offending Paul Goggins May 2005 - May 2006 Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Race Equality, Community Policy and Civil Renewal Fiona MacTaggart May 2005 - May 2006 Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Anti-Drugs Co-ordination and Organised and International Crime Andy Burnham May 2005 - May 2006 Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Nationality, Citizenship and Immigration Joan Ryan May 2006 - June 2007 Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Minister for Drugs and Crime Reduction) Vernon Coaker May 2006 - June 2007 Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Prisons and Probation Services Gerry Sutcliffe May 2006 - June 2007
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Margaret Beckett May 2005 – May 2006 David Miliband May 2006 – June 2007 Minister of State for Climate Change and Environment Elliot Morley May 2005 – May 2006 Ian Pearson June 2006 – June 2007 Minister of State for Local Environment, Marine and Animal Welfare Ben Bradshaw November 2006 - June 2007 Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Local Environment, Marine and Animal Welfare Ben Bradshaw May 2005 - November 2006 Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Rural Affairs, Landscape and Biodiversity Jim Knight May 2005 - May 2006 Barry Gardiner May 2006 - June 2007 Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Sustainable Farming and Food Willy Bach, Baron Bach May 2005 - May 2006 Jeff Rooker, Baron Rooker May 2006 - June 2007 Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (jointly with Constitutional Affairs) Catherine Ashton, Baroness Ashton of Upholland May 2006 - June 2007
Defence Secretary of State for Defence John Reid May 2005 – May 2006 Des Browne May 2006 – June 2007 Minister of State for the Armed Forces Adam Ingram May 2005 – June 2007 Minister for Defence Procurement Paul Drayson, Baron Drayson May 2005 – June 2007 Minister for Veterans Don Touhig May 2005 - May 2006 Tom Watson May 2006 - September 2006 Derek Twigg September 2006 - June 2007
Education and Skills Secretary of State for Education and Skills Ruth Kelly May 2005 – May 2006 Alan Johnson May 2006 – June 2007 Minister of State for Schools and Learners Jacqui Smith May 2005 – May 2006 Jim Knight May 2006 – June 2007 Minister of State for Higher Education Bill Rammell May 2005 – June 2007 Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Children and Families Maria Eagle May 2005 – May 2006 Parmjit Dhanda May 2006 - June 2007 Minister for Children (United Kingdom) Beverley Hughes May 2005 - June 2007 Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Skills Phil Hope May 2005 - June 2007 Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Schools Andrew Adonis, Baron Adonis May 2005 - June 2007
Health Secretary of State for Health Patricia Hewitt May 2005 – June 2007 Minister of State for Health Jane Kennedy May 2005 – May 2006 Andy Burnham May 2006 – June 2007 Minister of State for Health Services Rosie Winterton May 2005- June 2007 Minister for Public Health Caroline Flint May 2005 – June 2007 Minister of State for NHS Delivery Norman Warner, Baron Warner May 2005 - January 2007 Philip Hunt, Baron Hunt of Kings Heath January 2007 - June 2007 Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Care Services Liam Byrne May 2005 - May 2006 Ivan Lewis May 2006 - June 2007
Work and Pensions Secretary of State for Work and Pensions David Blunkett May 2005 – November 2005 John Hutton November 2005 – June 2007 Minister of State for Pensions Stephen Timms May 2005 – May 2006 James Purnell May 2006 – June 2007 Minister of State for Employment & Welfare Reform Margaret Hodge May 2005 - May 2006 Jim Murphy May 2006 - June 2007 Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Disabled People Anne McGuire May 2005 - June 2007 Parliamentary Under Secretary of State James Plaskitt May 2005 - June 2007 Parliamentary Under Secretary of State Philip Hunt, Baron Hunt of Kings Heath May 2005 - January 2007 Bill McKenzie, Baron McKenzie of Luton January 2007 - June 2007
Culture, Media and Sport Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport Tessa Jowell (also Minister for Women May 2005 -May 2006) May 2005 – 28 June 2007 Minister of State for Culture (Arts & Heritage) David Lammy May 2005 – June 2007 Minister for Sport and Olympics Richard Caborn May 2005 - June 2007 Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Creative Industries & Tourism James Purnell May 2005 - May 2006 Shaun Woodward May 2006 - June 2007
Transport Secretary of State for Transport Alistair Darling May 2005 – May 2006 Douglas Alexander May 2006 – June 2007 Minister of State for Transport Stephen Ladyman May 2005 – June 2007 Parliamentary Under Secretary of State Karen Buck May 2005 - March 2006 Gillian Merron May 2006 - June 2007 Derek Twigg May 2005 - September 2006 Tom Harris September 2006 - June 2007