Chalker, Lynda (1942–)

English politician. Name variations: Lynda Chalker of Wallasey, Baroness Chalker of Wallasey, Lynda Bates. Born Lynda Bates, April 29, 1942, in England; attended University of Heidelberg, London University, and Central London Polytechnic; m. Eric Chalker, 1967 (div. 1973); m. Clive Landa, 1981.

Conservative politician who rose to a high position in foreign and commonwealth affairs during the Thatcher era, worked in market research before serving in Parliament as an MP for Wallasey (1974–92); served as opposition speaker on social services during Labour administration (1976–79); held under-secretary of state positions at Department of Health and Social Security (1979–82) and Department of Transport (1983–86); promoted to minister of State for Department of Transport (1983–86); moved to Foreign and Commonwealth Office (1986) and was appointed minister for Overseas Development (1989–97); controlled world's 5th largest foreign-aid budget and earned popularity in developing world; had longest consecutive service of any woman minister and was one of only 4 ministers to serve through Conservative Party's longest stretch of power since 1820s; granted life peerage and title Baroness Chalker of Wallasey (1992); employed expertise and connections to serve as Independent Adviser on Africa and Development with World Bank and numerous other business concerns in UK and Southern Africa since leaving office (1997), including Group Five, Ashanti Goldfields and Freeplay Energy Group.