Peter was born in 1943 in Hayes, Kent. He was educated at Dulwich College and Clare College, Cambridge, where he studied natural science and economics. He is married to Gail (nee Ansell) who is a successful artist.
He was chairman of the Bow Group (1973-75) and a consultant Director of the Conservative Research Department (1979-83). He was a Director of Greenwell Montagu Stockbrokers (1986-87) where he headed the oil investment department. He has been an investment advisor on North Sea oil and other energy industries (1972-84), and an economic advisor on underdeveloped countries (1966-72).
Peter Lilley's Experience
Peter was Member of Parliament for St Albans from 1983-1997.
He was a member of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Treasury and Civil Service Matters (1983-1984), and Secretary to the Conservative Backbench Energy Committee (1983-84). He was Parliamentary Private Secretary to William Waldegrave and Lord Bellwin (1984), and then to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Nigel Lawson (1984-1987).
His first ministerial appointment was as Economic Secretary to the Treasury (June 1987), then Financial Secretary to the Treasury (July 1989). He was then appointed Secretary of State for Trade and Industry 1990-1992.
In July 1990 he was made a Privy Councillor. Peter was appointed Secretary of State for Social Security 1992-1997.
In May 1997, he contested and won the seat of Hitchin and Harpenden with a majority of 6,671. He was appointed Shadow Chancellor in June 1997, and subsequently served as Deputy Leader of the Conservative Party.
In December 2005, he was appointed Chairman of the Party's Globalisation and Global Poverty policy group.