1998 - 2001

Margaret Beckett (b. 1943) was Labour MP for Lincoln in 1974-79, and has been MP for Derby South since 1983.  She was deputy Leader of the Labour party and the opposition in 1992-94, and Leader of the opposition in 1994.  She was president of the board of trade and Secretary of State for trade and industry in 1997-98, president of the council and Leader of the House of Commons in 1998-2001, and has been Secretary of State for environment, food and rural affairs since 2001.