Chris Patten

Chris Patten
Name	Chris Patten
Caption	Patten in 2009
Office	Governor of Hong Kong
Term start	9 July 1992
Term end	30 June 1997
Predecessor	David Wilson
Successor	Office abolished
Office1	European Commissioner for External Relations
Term start1	16 September 1999
Term end1	22 November 2004
President1	Romano Prodi
Predecessor1	Leon Brittan
Successor1	Benita Ferrero-Waldner
Office2	Chancellor of the University of Oxford
Term start2	2003
Term end2	2023
Predecessor2	Roy Jenkins
Successor2	The Lord Patten of Barnes
Birth name	Christopher Francis Patten
Birth date	12 May 1944
Birth place	Cleveleys, Lancashire, England
Party	Conservative
Spouse	Lavender Thornton, 1971
Alma mater	Balliol College, Oxford

Chris Patten. Christopher Francis Patten, Baron Patten of Barnes, is a British politician, diplomat, and academic who served as the final Governor of Hong Kong and later as European Commissioner for External Relations. A prominent figure in the Conservative Party, he held several cabinet positions, including Secretary of State for the Environment, and chaired the party itself. He later served for two decades as Chancellor of the University of Oxford, cementing his role in public life and international affairs.

Early life and education

Christopher Francis Patten was born in Cleveleys, Lancashire, and was educated at St. Benedict's School in Ealing. He won a scholarship to read modern history at Balliol College, Oxford, where he was a contemporary of future political figures and served as President of the Oxford University Conservative Association. His time at Oxford was formative, shaping his political outlook and intellectual interests, leading to his early involvement with the Conservative Research Department after graduation.

Political career in the United Kingdom

Elected as the MP for Bath in 1979, Patten rose through the ranks of Margaret Thatcher's government, serving as Minister of State for Overseas Development and later as Secretary of State for the Environment. In the latter role, he was responsible for the controversial Community Charge. Following the 1992 general election, where he lost his Commons seat, he was appointed Chairman of the Conservative Party by Prime Minister John Major and entered the House of Lords as a life peer.

Governor of Hong Kong

Appointed by John Major, Patten served as the 28th and final Governor of Hong Kong from 1992 until the handover to the People's Republic of China in 1997. His tenure was defined by implementing democratic reforms to the Legislative Council, which brought him into significant conflict with the Chinese government in Beijing. His governorship oversaw the final years of British Hong Kong and the complex transition under the Sino-British Joint Declaration, with his policies remaining a subject of historical debate.

European Commissioner for External Relations

From 1999 to 2004, Patten served as the European Commissioner for External Relations in the Prodi Commission under President Romano Prodi. In this role, he was the European Union's chief diplomat, managing relationships with regions including the Balkans, the Middle East, and Asia. He worked closely with the High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy, Javier Solana, and was a key figure in shaping the EU's response to international crises and its enlargement process.

Chancellor of the University of Oxford

Elected in 2003, Patten served as Chancellor of the University of Oxford for twenty years, succeeding Roy Jenkins. As chancellor, a largely ceremonial role, he was the titular head of the university, presiding over major ceremonies and representing Oxford globally. He was a steadfast advocate for academic freedom, university funding, and international engagement, and oversaw significant capital campaigns before stepping down in 2023 and being succeeded by The Lord Patten of Barnes.

Personal life and honours

Patten married Lavender Thornton in 1971, and they have three daughters. He was appointed a Companion of Honour in 1998 and was made a Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George in 1992. A devout Roman Catholic, his faith has informed his public stance on various social issues. He has authored several books on politics and history, including reflections on his time in Hong Kong and the state of the West.

Category:1944 births Category:Living people Category:Governors of Hong Kong Category:British life peers Category:Chancellors of the University of Oxford Category:Conservative Party (UK) life peers