Douglas Hogg, English lawyer and politician, Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food

Douglas Martin Hogg, 3rd Viscount Hailsham, also known by his life peerage as Baron Hailsham of Kettlethorpe, was born on 5 February 1945. He is a prominent British politician and barrister who has significantly contributed to public life, serving both in the House of Commons and, more recently, in the House of Lords. A long-standing member of the Conservative Party, Hogg's career reflects a deep engagement with the legislative and executive branches of the UK government.

Early Political Career and Ministerial Role

Hogg's political career as a Member of Parliament (MP) spanned over three decades, beginning in 1979 and concluding in 2010. During this extensive period in the House of Commons, he served in various capacities. Most notably, he held a significant Cabinet position as the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food from 1995 to 1997. In this critical ministerial role, Hogg was responsible for shaping and implementing national policy on a wide range of issues vital to the British economy and populace, including agricultural support, food safety regulations, environmental stewardship in farming, and the management of national fisheries resources. His tenure saw him navigate complex challenges facing the farming and food industries, impacting consumers and producers across the United Kingdom.

The 2009 Parliamentary Expenses Scandal and its Aftermath

Douglas Hogg became a central figure in the highly publicised 2009 parliamentary expenses scandal, which exposed widespread issues concerning the claims made by Members of Parliament for public funds. This scandal led to significant public outrage and a profound erosion of trust in the political establishment. The Daily Telegraph, a leading national newspaper, revealed that Hogg had claimed more than £2,000 of taxpayers' money for maintenance work on his country estate, Kettlethorpe Hall, specifically citing "cleaning the moat."

This particular claim quickly became one of the most prominent and frequently cited examples used by the media to illustrate the perceived extent and excesses of the parliamentary expenses scandal. It symbolised for many the disconnect between politicians and the public, contributing to a narrative of self-enrichment at public expense.

However, it later emerged that the House of Commons Fees Office, the administrative body then responsible for overseeing MPs' expenses and the precursor to the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA) which was established in the wake of the scandal, had encouraged MPs to submit expenses "en bloc" or in grouped sums. This practice was intended to reduce administrative workload. While this context provided a technical explanation for how such a claim might have been submitted, it did little to alleviate the intense negative publicity surrounding Hogg. As a direct result of this widespread public scrutiny and criticism, Douglas Hogg ultimately chose not to seek re-election in the 2010 general election, effectively bringing his long and distinguished career in the House of Commons to an end amidst the fallout from the scandal.

Life Beyond the Commons: The House of Lords

Following his departure from the House of Commons in 2010, Douglas Hogg's public service career continued in the House of Lords. In addition to his inherited hereditary peerage as the 3rd Viscount Hailsham, a title to which he succeeded in 2001 and which reflects his family's significant historical contributions to British politics, he was granted a life peerage in the 2015 Dissolution Honours. Dissolution Honours are a traditional series of appointments made by the monarch, usually on the advice of the outgoing Prime Minister, after a Parliament has been dissolved for a general election, often recognising political service.

This life peerage, formally styled as Baron Hailsham of Kettlethorpe, bestowed upon him a seat in the House of Lords, the upper chamber of the UK Parliament. While serving in the House of Lords, by parliamentary custom and courtesy, he is often styled as Viscount Hailsham. This allows for recognition of his hereditary family title, even though his actual right to sit and participate in the legislative process stems from his more recently conferred life peerage.

Frequently Asked Questions about Douglas Hogg

Who is Douglas Hogg, 3rd Viscount Hailsham?
Douglas Martin Hogg is a British politician and barrister who served as a Conservative Member of Parliament from 1979 to 2010 and as Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food from 1995 to 1997. He currently holds both hereditary and life peerages, enabling him to sit in the House of Lords.
What was the "moat cleaning" scandal linked to Douglas Hogg?
In 2009, The Daily Telegraph exposed that Douglas Hogg had claimed over £2,000 for "cleaning the moat" of his country estate, Kettlethorpe Hall, as part of his parliamentary expenses. This claim became a highly publicised example during the wider parliamentary expenses scandal, symbolising alleged misuse of public funds by MPs, despite later clarification that the House of Commons Fees Office had encouraged 'en bloc' expense submissions.
Why did Douglas Hogg not stand for re-election in 2010?
He chose not to seek re-election in the 2010 general election due to the significant negative publicity and public backlash he faced as a prominent figure in the parliamentary expenses scandal.
How did Douglas Hogg become a member of the House of Lords?
Douglas Hogg became a member of the House of Lords through a life peerage, granted to him in the 2015 Dissolution Honours. While he also holds a hereditary peerage as the 3rd Viscount Hailsham, his entitlement to sit and vote in the House of Lords is derived from his life peerage.