| Marcus Holt | |
|---|---|
| Secretary of State for Northern Ireland | |
| |
| Born | April 19, 1939 |
| Full name | Marcus Andrew Holt |
| Constituency | Fylde South |
| Political Party | Conservative |
| Religion | Church of England |
| Spouse | Lisa Holt |
| Office(s) Held | Secretary of State for Northern Ireland |
| Office(s) Held: | ||
 | ||
| Northern Ireland Secretary | ||
| 1981 - | ||
The Rt Hon. Marcus Andrew Holt (b. April 19, 1939) is a British Conservative politician who currently represents the constituency of Fylde South.
Early Life[]
Marcus Holt was born in Salisbury, in the colony of Southern Rhodesia in 1939. Afte attending Prince Edward College, he commenced work on his father's land holdings in central and southern Rhodesia.
On the death of his father in 1963, Holt inherited the family farms and ran a successful enterprise until the Unilateral Declaration of Independence in 1965. Rather than go into rebellion against the Crown, Holt sold his holdings in Rhodesia and relocated to Greenhalgh in the Fylde District.
Political Career[]
After establishing himself in Greenhalgh, Holt returned to his calling, the land. Joining the Conservative Party in 1966, he served on the Fylde South Conservative Association Executive from 1968 to 1974, eventually being elected to Fylde Borough Council, serving between 1973 and 1974, when he stood down to contest Fylde South at the October 1974 election. He won the seat with 55% of the vote, which he increased to 63% in 1979.
Parliament[]
Holt was a quiet backbencher, learning the ways of the House of Commons under successive Conservative leaders. Following the Conservative win in the 1979 election, his parliamentary activity increased until he was appointed Secretary of State for Northern Ireland by prime minister Robert Grosvenor. Not long in the job, Holt was confronted by the escalation of the hunger strike by republican prisoners in the Maze prison. Electing not to intervene, strike leader Bobby Sands died shortly after winning the Fermanagh and South Tyrone seat at a by-election. Despite Sands' death, Holt and prime minister Noble-Gordon refused to alter government policy and concede political legitimacy to the IRA. The strike continues, and the government have shown no indication of backing down.
Politics[]
Holt's roots in Africa go deep, and has consistently opposed what he sees as reckless or inappropriate attempts at decolonisation, voicing strong criticisms of the British government's treatment of his native Rhodesia. Within the Conservative Party, Holt straddles the two main wings of the Party. Economically, he has stated he does not consider himself a die-hard Thatcherite, preferring to seek a more pragmatic course. On social issues, Holt remains a dyed in the wool conservative, opposing the abolition of birching, and favouring the reinstatement of the death penalty.
Personal Life[]
Holt married Lisa Craig in 1962, and has two children.
Holt is a lifelong cricketer, opening the batting at Prince Edward College during the 1950s. He currently plays for the Fylde Cricket Club 2nd XI.
| Preceded by: John Good |
Secretary of State for Northern Ireland 1981 - |
Succeeded by: Incumbent |
| Preceded by: Edward Gardner |
Member of Parliament for Fylde South 1974 - Present |
Succeeded by: Incumbent |