John Yates

The Right Honourable John Yates MP CBE is a British Conservative Party politician who has served as the Member of Parliament for Reigate since 1974. He is presently the Deputy Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and the British Foreign Secretary, after previously serving as Minister for Europe and later a Chief Advisor to Downing Street. He is also the co-owner of Meynard & Yates Holdings, the majority shareholder of The Daily Telegraph. Between 1999 and 2000 he was the Chief Editor of the paper, though this role is now filled by Yates' fellow MP and close personal friend, Ewan Kerr.

Early Life
Yates was born in London on January 17th 1941, attended Eton School and later the University of Cambridge. He worked as a journalist for The Times throughout the early 1970s.

Political Career
First elected to Parliament in 1974, Yates secured his first Cabinet role in 1982, appointed as Minister for Europe. A moderate on the frontbench, conflicts with then Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher led John to resign in 1989, supporting Michael Heseltine through the end of Thatcher's premiership. He was appointed Chief Advisor to the Prime Minister in 1990, serving John Major and Neil Collier in the capacity. After a spell on the backbenches, Yates became instrumental in the uprising of Teresa Edison, and was seen as a key figure within the party, being elected Deputy Leader. Following the United Kingdom General Election, August 1999 - the second General Election of the year - Yates was made Deputy Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and Secretary of State for Foreign & Commonwealth Affairs, both roles he has continued to hold thus far in the Cabinet of Roland Fairclough.