Former Home Secretary gives politics lectures at Lancaster
The former Home Secretary Charles Clarke made a three day visit to Lancaster University in his role as Visiting Professor of Politics and Faith in the Department of Politics, Philosophy and Religion (PPR).
The former Cabinet Minister, who played a central role in Tony Blair’s Government and its response to terrorism, gave a lecture on “The global war on terror and challenges to democracy” on day one of his visit to first year politics undergraduates. He gave an insider’s view of the trade-off between security and democracy focussing on his experiences of parliamentary debates and government policy.
His second lecture of the day was to second year politics students and will be entitled “Policy making in Britain”, drawing on his experiences in government.
He also held several meetings during his visit, including attending an UCAS Open Day with two hundred prospective students and their parents, followed by an inaugural lecture at the Storey Institute in Lancaster entitled “Politics and Faith: Why they are Increasingly Intertwined”.
On the final day of his visit he give a postgraduate seminar followed by a talk to undergraduates on politics and human rights.
Professor Robert Geyer, Head of Lancaster’s Department of Politics, Philosophy and Religion said:
“ I am extremely pleased to have Charles Clarke on our staff. His vast political experience, detailed knowledge of the Westminster world and deep interest in the issue of politics and faith makes him a perfect match for our department and, in particular, our new MA programmes in Diplomacy, Diplomacy and Religion and Diplomacy and International Law. His forthcoming lectures will undoubtedly enhance our undergraduate and postgraduate teaching and show how the University is making an impact on larger regional and national debates.”
A former President of the Cambridge Students’ Union and President of the NUS from 1975 to 1977, Charles Clarke became a Labour party councillor in Hackney and was Chief of Staff to the former Labour leader Neil Kinnock until 1992.
Elected as an MP in 1997, he rose rapidly from the backbenches to become a junior education minister before moving to the Home Office, joining the Cabinet as Minister without Portfolio and Party Chair following the 2001 general election.
A year later, he was made Secretary of State for Education and in 2004 Home Secretary, one of the most senior Cabinet positions, where he advocated a series of measures for countering terrorism.
He said: "I'm absolutely delighted to be a Visiting Professor of Politics and Faith at Lancaster and grateful for the opportunity. Faith plays an increasingly important role in national and international political life and its impact is insufficiently understood and discussed. Lancaster University is playing a leading role in addressing this problem and I hope that through this appointment I can contribute to better understanding of the issues at stake."