Chris Patten

Christopher Francis Patten, Baron Patten of Barnes, born on the twelfth of May, nineteen forty-four, is a distinguished British politician, pedagogue, writer, and adviser. He served as the Chairman of the Conservative Party from nineteen ninety to nineteen ninety-two and was the last Governor of Hong Kong from nineteen ninety-two until nineteen ninety-seven. In two thousand five, he was made a life peer and held the position of Chancellor of the University of Oxford from two thousand three to two thousand twenty-four.

Patten's early life began in Thornton-Cleveleys, Lancashire, before he was raised in west London. He pursued his studies in history at Balliol College, Oxford, graduating in nineteen sixty-five. His political career commenced shortly thereafter when he began working for the Conservative Party, eventually being elected as the Member of Parliament for Bath in nineteen seventy-nine.

In nineteen eighty-nine, he was appointed Secretary of State for the Environment by Margaret Thatcher, where he was tasked with implementing the controversial poll tax. Following John Major's ascension to Prime Minister in nineteen ninety, Patten became the Chairman of the Conservative Party and Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster. His leadership during this period led to a surprising Conservative electoral victory in nineteen ninety-two, although he lost his own parliamentary seat.

As the last Governor of Hong Kong, Patten oversaw the final years of British rule and prepared the territory for its transfer to China in nineteen ninety-seven. His administration was marked by significant expansions in social welfare programs and the introduction of democratic reforms in the electoral system. After his governorship, he played a pivotal role in the Northern Ireland peace process as the leader of the Independent Commission on Policing from nineteen ninety-eight to nineteen ninety-nine.

Patten continued his public service as the European Commissioner for External Relations from nineteen ninety-nine to two thousand four and later served as Chairman of the BBC Trust from two thousand eleven to two thousand fourteen. He remains one of the two living former governors of Hong Kong, alongside David Wilson.