John Major : Resources :1990-1997 Cabinet Ministers : Stephen Dorrell
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Stephen Dorrell

Stephen Dorrell was born in 1952 and was educated at Uppingham School and Oxford University. After leaving university, Dorrell joined his family clothing company before becoming at just 22 the research assistant to Peter Walker, the Conservative Minister at the 1974 General Election in February. Dorrell contested the October 1974 General Election for the constituency of Hull East, but was beaten by John Prescott.

In 1979 Dorrell won the seat of Loughborough and was the youngest member of the House of Commons. In 1987 he was promoted to assistant whip and following John Major's victory in the 1990 leadership contest, Stephen Dorrell was promoted again to Under-Secretary of State at the Department of Health. In 1992 Dorrell became the Financial Secretary to the Treasury, the Secretary of State for National Heritage in 1994 and the Secretary of State for Health in 1995.

Following boundary changes Dorrell won the revised seat of Charnwood at the 1997 General Election and then stood for the leadership of the Conservative Party, although he was knocked out in the first round. He was appointed Shadow Secretary of State for Education and Employment following William Hague's victory in the leadership contest, but left for the backbenches in 1998. He is currently Vice-Chairman of Conservative Mainstream.