The first Blair ministry lasted from May 1997 to June 2001. Following eighteen years in opposition, Labour ousted the

Conservatives Conservatism is a cultural, social, and political philosophy and ideology that seeks to promote and preserve traditional institutions, customs, and values. The central tenets of conservatism may vary in relation to the culture and civilizati ...

at the May 1997 election with a 179-seat majority. The

Prime Minister A prime minister or chief of cabinet is the head of the cabinet and the leader of the ministers in the executive branch of government, often in a parliamentary or semi-presidential system. A prime minister is not the head of state, but r ...

Tony Blair Sir Anthony Charles Lynton Blair (born 6 May 1953) is a British politician who served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1997 to 2007 and Leader of the Labour Party (UK), Leader of the Labour Party from 1994 to 2007. He was Leader ...

, 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 Alun Edward Michael (born 22 August 1943) is a Welsh Labour and Co-operative retired politician. He served as Secretary of State for Wales from 1998 to 1999 and then as the first First Secretary of Wales (later known as First Minister) and L ...

becomes Welsh Secretary. Ron Davies leaves the Cabinet. *December 1998 –

Peter Mandelson Peter Benjamin Mandelson, Baron Mandelson, (born 21 October 1953) is a British politician, lobbyist and diplomat who has served as British Ambassador to the United States since February 2025. A member of the Labour Party, Mandelson serve ...

is dismissed from the cabinet over a secret home loan he received from Geoffrey Robinson.

Stephen Byers Stephen John Byers (born 13 April 1953) is a British Labour Party politician who was the Member of Parliament (MP) for Wallsend between 1992 and 1997, and North Tyneside from 1997 to 2010. He served in the Cabinet from 1998 to 2002, and w ...

becomes Trade & Industry Secretary. Alan Milburn becomes Chief Secretary to the Treasury. * May 1999 – John Reid becomes Scottish Secretary.

Donald Dewar Donald Campbell Dewar (21 August 1937 – 11 October 2000) was a Scottish statesman and politician who served as the inaugural First Minister of Scotland, first minister of Scotland from 1999 until his death in 2000 and leader of the Labour Par ...

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 Geoffrey William Hoon (born 6 December 1953) is a British Labour Party politician who served as the Member of Parliament (MP) for Ashfield in Nottinghamshire from 1992 to 2010. He is a former Defence Secretary, Transport Secretary, Leader ...

becomes Defence Secretary. Alan Milburn becomes Health Secretary. Peter Mandelson returns to the cabinet as Northern Ireland Secretary.

Mo Mowlam Marjorie "Mo" Mowlam (18 September 1949 – 19 August 2005) was a British Labour Party (UK), Labour Party politician. She was the Member of Parliament (United Kingdom), Member of Parliament (MP) for Redcar (UK Parliament constituency), Redcar f ...

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 Frank Gordon Dobson (15 March 1940 – 11 November 2019) was a British Labour Party politician. As Member of Parliament (MP) for Holborn and St. Pancras from 1979 to 2015, he served in the Cabinet as Secretary of State for Health from 1997 ...

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.

List of ministers

Prime Minister, the Cabinet Office and non-departmental ministers

Departments of state

Law officers

Parliament

Whips

References

* *

Notes

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Blair ministry, 1st British ministries

Government A government is the system or group of people governing an organized community, generally a State (polity), state. In the case of its broad associative definition, government normally consists of legislature, executive (government), execu ...

1990s in the United Kingdom 2000s in the United Kingdom 1997 establishments in the United Kingdom 2001 disestablishments in the United Kingdom Premiership of Tony Blair Ministries of Elizabeth II New Labour Cabinets established in 1997 Cabinets disestablished in 2001 Labour Party (UK) cabinets