Nicholas True, Baron True
Encyclopedia
Nicholas Edward True, Baron True (born 1951) is a British
Conservative
politician
and member of the House of Lords
.
and Peterhouse, Cambridge
, from whence he obtained BA Hons in 1973 and MA in 1978.
from 1975 to 1982, also serving as assistant to the Deputy Leader of the party during 1978-82. He was special adviser
to Norman Fowler
, Secretary of State for Health and Social Security
from 1982–86. He then moved to be Director of the Public Policy Unit from 1986 to 1990. He was Deputy Head of the Prime Minister’s Policy Unit from 1991–95, before becomimg special adviser within the Prime Minister's Office in 1997, until the general election
of that year. In his memoirs Prime Minister John Major
says he was his favourite speechwriter. He was appointed Companion of the Order of the British Empire
(CBE) in 1993.
He served as private secretary to the Leader of the Opposition in the House of Lords
and Director of the Opposition Whips' Office there from 1997 to 2010. At the end of the latter year he was created a life peer
as Baron True.
Deputy Leader from 2002–06 and Leader of the Opposition 2006-10.
He has been since 2006 a Trustee of the Richmond Civic Trust, and since 1996 of Sir Harold Hood’s Charitable Trust. He served the Olga Havel Foundation in the same capacity from 1990–94.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
Conservative
Conservative Party (UK)
The Conservative Party, formally the Conservative and Unionist Party, is a centre-right political party in the United Kingdom that adheres to the philosophies of conservatism and British unionism. It is the largest political party in the UK, and is currently the largest single party in the House...
politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
and member of the House of Lords
House of Lords
The House of Lords is the upper house of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. Like the House of Commons, it meets in the Palace of Westminster....
.
Early life and Education
He was born 31 July 1951, son of Edward Thomas True and Kathleen Louise True (née Mather). He was educated at Nottingham High SchoolNottingham High School
Nottingham High School is a British boys' independent school situated about a mile north of Nottingham city centre. It has around 900 pupils from ages 11 to 18 and there is the adjoining Nottingham High Junior School catering for younger boys and, from September 2008, the Lovell House...
and Peterhouse, Cambridge
University of Cambridge
The University of Cambridge is a public research university located in Cambridge, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest university in both the United Kingdom and the English-speaking world , and the seventh-oldest globally...
, from whence he obtained BA Hons in 1973 and MA in 1978.
Politics
True worked in the Conservative Research DepartmentConservative Research Department
The Conservative Research Department is part of the central organisation of the Conservative Party of the United Kingdom. It operates alongside other departments of Conservative Campaign Headquarters at 30 Millbank, London SW1....
from 1975 to 1982, also serving as assistant to the Deputy Leader of the party during 1978-82. He was special adviser
Special advisers in the United Kingdom
A special adviser works in a supporting role to the British government. With media, political or policy expertise, their duty is to assist and advise government ministers.-Role:...
to Norman Fowler
Norman Fowler
Norman Fowler, Baron Fowler, PC is a British Conservative politician who was from 1981 to 1990 a member of Margaret Thatcher's Cabinet.-Early life:...
, Secretary of State for Health and Social Security
Secretary of State for Health
Secretary of State for Health is a UK cabinet position responsible for the Department of Health.The first Boards of Health were created by Orders in Council dated 21 June, 14 November, and 21 November 1831. In 1848 a General Board of Health was created with the First Commissioner of Woods and...
from 1982–86. He then moved to be Director of the Public Policy Unit from 1986 to 1990. He was Deputy Head of the Prime Minister’s Policy Unit from 1991–95, before becomimg special adviser within the Prime Minister's Office in 1997, until the general election
United Kingdom general election, 1997
The United Kingdom general election, 1997 was held on 1 May 1997, more than five years after the previous election on 9 April 1992, to elect 659 members to the British House of Commons. The Labour Party ended its 18 years in opposition under the leadership of Tony Blair, and won the general...
of that year. In his memoirs Prime Minister John Major
John Major
Sir John Major, is a British Conservative politician, who served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and Leader of the Conservative Party from 1990–1997...
says he was his favourite speechwriter. He was appointed Companion of the Order of the British Empire
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
(CBE) in 1993.
He served as private secretary to the Leader of the Opposition in the House of Lords
House of Lords
The House of Lords is the upper house of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. Like the House of Commons, it meets in the Palace of Westminster....
and Director of the Opposition Whips' Office there from 1997 to 2010. At the end of the latter year he was created a life peer
Life peer
In the United Kingdom, life peers are appointed members of the Peerage whose titles cannot be inherited. Nowadays life peerages, always of baronial rank, are created under the Life Peerages Act 1958 and entitle the holders to seats in the House of Lords, presuming they meet qualifications such as...
as Baron True.
Public Office
He has been a Conservative councillor in the London Borough of Richmond-upon-Thames from 1986–90 and since 1998. He has served as Leader of the Council since 2010, having previously served asDeputy Leader from 2002–06 and Leader of the Opposition 2006-10.
He has been since 2006 a Trustee of the Richmond Civic Trust, and since 1996 of Sir Harold Hood’s Charitable Trust. He served the Olga Havel Foundation in the same capacity from 1990–94.