Janet Fookes, Baroness Fookes

Janet Evelyn Fookes, Baroness Fookes, DBE, DL (born 21 February 1936), is a British politician. A member of the Conservative Party, she is a Life Peer in the House of Lords. She was previously a member of the House of Commons from 1970 from 1997, representing the constituencies of Merton and Morden (1970–74) and Plymouth Drake (1974–97). She was a Deputy Speaker of the House of Commons from 1992 to 1997.

Biography

Fookes was educated at Royal Holloway College, University of London. She worked as a teacher from 1958 to 1970. She served as a Councillor on Hastings Borough Council from 1960–61 and 1963-70.

Fookes was elected a Member of Parliament (MP) representing Merton and Morden in 1970. When this constituency was abolished, she was elected MP for Plymouth Drake in 1974. Drake was never a safe seat, but Fookes managed to survive many strong challenges in each general election she fought, including winning by a majority of just 34 at the October 1974 general election. She served as one of three Deputy Speakers of the House of Commons from 1992-97. She retired fom the House of Commons in 1997.

Fookes served on the Council of the RSPCA 1975-92, and was its chair from 1979-81. She was also a member of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (1987–97).

In 1997, she was made a Life Peer as Baroness Fookes, of Plymouth in the County of Devon. She had previously been made a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) in 1989, and became Deputy Lieutenant of East Sussex in 2001.

Her red hair makes her very noticeable in the House of Lords, and she is a regular contributor to debates.

Fookes is unmarried.

References

• Times Guide to the House of Commons editions 1970-1992

External links

• Hansard 1803–2005: contributions in Parliament by Janet Fookes

Parliament of the United Kingdom
Preceded by Humphrey Atkins	Member for Merton and Morden 1970–1974	Constituency abolished
New constituency	Member for Plymouth Drake 1974–1997	Constituency abolished