Hewitt, Patricia (1948–)

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Hewitt, Patricia (1948–)

English politician and member of Parliament. Name variations: Rt. Hon. Patricia Hewitt. Born Dec 2,1948; dau. of Lady Hope Hewitt and Sir Lenox Hewitt (OBE); m. William Jack Birtles, 1981.

Served as press secretary, then policy co-ordinator for Neil Kinnock as Leader of the Opposition (1983–89); representing Labour, elected to House of Commons for Leicester West(1997, 2001, 2005); named secretary of state for Trade and Industry, minister for Women, and e-minister in Cabinet; became secretary of state for Health (2005).