HAIN, Peter Rt Hon

Member for Neath since 1991 by-election. Political career: Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 2007-08; Secretary of State for Northern Ireland 2005-07; Leader of the House of Commons and Lord Privy Seal 2003-05; Secretary of State for Wales 2002-08; Government Representative, European Union Convention 2002-03; Minister for Europe (Foreign and Commonwealth Office) 2001-02; Minister for Energy and Competitiveness (Department of Trade and Industry) 2001; Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office 1999-2001; Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Welsh Office 1997-99; Labour Shadow Employment Spokesman 1996-97; Labour Opposition Whip 1995-96; Parliamentary Candidate for Putney 1983 and 1987; joined Labour Party in 1977; Delegation to China 1980 and USA 1972. Special political interests: Social justice; democratic renewal, including Lords reform, electoral reform and devolution; environmental policy, including renewable energy; foreign affairs. Profession/Trade: Former Head of Research, Union of Communications Workers. Education: Pretoria Boys High School, South Africa; Emanuel School, Wandsworth, London; Queen Mary College, London University, BSc Economics and Political Science, 1973; Sussex University, MPhil, 1976. Affiliations: Member, GMB, Co-op, Fabian Society, Tribune Newspaper Group; National Leadership in Stop the Seventy Tour 1969-70, Young Liberals 1971. Author of: fifteen books. Ayes to the Left: A future for Socialism (1995). Hobbies: Rugby, soccer, cricket, rock and folk music. b. 1950. Divorced with two sons; re-married.