biography
| name: |
Cook, Robin
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| |
popular name of Robert Finlayson Cook
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| sex:
| male
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| lived:
| (1946– )
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| biography:
| British statesman, born in Bellshill, North Lanarkshire, C Scotland, UK. He studied at Edinburgh University, trained as a teacher, then became an MP in 1974. He was opposition spokesman for the Treasury and economic affairs (1980–3), then held various posts in the shadow cabinet, including spokesman on health and social security (1987–92). He managed the leadership campaigns of Neil Kinnock (1983) and John Smith (1992). Other posts include chief opposition spokesman on trade and industry (1992–4) and foreign affairs (1994–7), and chair of the Labour Party (1996–8). He became secretary of state for foreign and commonwealth affairs in the Blair government in 1997, and Leader of the House of Commons (2001–3), resigning in opposition to war with Iraq. |
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