Thomas Jeremy King, Baron King of Bridgwater (born 13 June 1933) is a British Conservative politician who served as Member of Parliament for Bridgwater in Somerset from 1970 to 2001 and later became a life peer. For much of the 1980s and early 1990s he was a senior figure in government, holding Cabinet rank during a period of economic and security challenges in the United Kingdom. For an overview of his career see Tom King biography.
Political background and parliamentary service
King represented the Bridgwater constituency for three decades, winning election in 1970 and maintaining the seat through several general elections before standing down at the 2001 election. He is a long-standing member of the Conservative Party and was appointed to the Privy Council (PC) in recognition of his ministerial responsibilities. During his time in the Commons he was involved in debates on local government, economic policy and national security.
Cabinet roles and responsibilities
Between 1983 and 1992 King served at Cabinet level, taking on senior ministerial posts in successive administrations. His ministerial work included leading departments concerned with the built environment and with the special political and security issues that affected Northern Ireland. Contemporary accounts note his involvement in the government’s response to social and industrial questions as well as security policy. For background on the Cabinet as an institution see Cabinet.
Notable events and security context
In October 1988 there was a plot to attack King at his home in Winchester, an episode that occurred during the heightened violence of The Troubles. The incident underlined the risks faced by public figures engaged with Northern Ireland policy and is often cited in accounts of security measures for ministers. The attempted attack was reported from his home in Winchester.
Later life, honours and legacy
After leaving the Commons in 2001 King was elevated to the House of Lords as a life peer (life peerage) and continued to take part in parliamentary and public affairs. His career is commonly referenced when discussing Conservative governance in the 1980s and early 1990s and the intersection of domestic policy with security responsibilities. He is listed in official parliamentary records as a former Member of Parliament and retains recognition in historical accounts of the period. Further resources and profiles can be found via general political reference sites and archives: profile, party materials, and parliamentary records (Cabinet, MP, peerage, local reports, conflict context).