John Fraser (British politician)


John Denis Fraser was Labour Member of Parliament for Norwood in London from 1966 to 1997 and a solicitor.

Early life and education

Fraser was born on 30 June 1934 in Wandsworth, London, to Frances and Archibald Fraser. He was of Scottish and Irish descent.
He was educated at Sloane Grammar School, Chelsea and the Law Society College of Law, becoming a solicitor. He was a senior partner at the law firm Lewis Silkin LLP.

Political career

Fraser was a councillor on Lambeth Borough Council 1962-65 and the London Borough of Lambeth from 1964. He was a founder member of the Co-Operative Development Society.
He was Under Secretary at the Department of Trade and Industry 1966, Under Secretary of State for Employment 1974–1976, and Minister of State at the Department of Prices & Consumer Protection 1976–1979. Fraser was largely responsible for steering the Unfair Contract Terms Act 1977 through Parliament.
Norwood was abolished as a constituency in 1997. Fraser lost the selection contest for Dulwich & West Norwood to Tessa Jowell, then MP for Dulwich.

Personal life

Fraser was a devout Catholic. He often gave readings at church.
Fraser married Ann Hathaway in 1960. Together they had three children: two sons and a daughter. He was survived by five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
His interests included running, opera and gardening. He spoke several languages.