Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs
The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs is a member of the British Government responsible for relations with foreign countries. The holder is a member of the Cabinet. This position came into existence in 1968 with the merger of the Foreign and Commonwealth Offices into a single Department of State.Secretaries of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs:
- 1968-1970 - Michael Stewart, later Lord Stewart of Fulham
- 1970-1974 - Sir Alec Douglas-Home, formerly 14th Earl of Home, later Lord Home of the Hirsel
- 1974-1976 - James Callaghan, later Lord Callaghan of Cardiff
- 1976-1977 - Anthony Crosland
- 1977-1979 - Dr David Owen, later Lord Owen
- 1979-1982 - Peter Carington, 6th Baron Carrington
- 1982-1983 - Sir Francis Pym, later Lord Pym of Sandy
- 1983-1989 - Sir Geoffrey Howe, later Lord Howe of Aberavon
- 1989-1989 - John Major
- 1989-1995 - Douglas Hurd, later Lord Hurd of Westwell
- 1995-1997 - Malcolm Rifkind, later Sir Malcolm Rifkind
- 1997-2001 - Robin Cook
- 2001-present - Jack Straw
