Labour's election strategist becomes e-minister
- Posted:
- 12:01 12 Jun 2001
Alexander, 33, takes over from Patricia Hewitt, who was named trade and industry secretary in Tony Blair's post-election shake-up.
The MP for Paisley South is expected to play a key role in a revamped Department of Trade and Industry.
A qualified lawyer, Alexander studied at Edinburgh University and the Ivy League University of Pennsylvania. While in the US, he also worked as a press steward on Michael Dukakis's 1988 presidential campaign.
He went on to win the Paisley South constituency in 1997 and, two years later, joined a backbench revolt against Jack Straw's amendments to the Freedom of Information Bill.
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A former parliamentary researcher and speechwriter for his close friend Gordon Brown, Alexander has, officially, been named minister for e-commerce and competitiveness.
With former e-minister Patricia Hewitt now heading his department, the IT industry is hoping its voice will be heard more clearly in government, particularly in disputes with other departments.
During the previous term, the Treasury and Home Office won arguments with e-ministers and the e-envoy over issues such as the Regulation of Interceptory Powers Act and the IR35 tax regime.
Bruce Ackland