Political Career
He served as Minister for Science and Technology under John Major from 1994 to 1997. He is an ally of Kenneth Clarke, although in the 2005 Conservative leadership contest he backed David Davis.
Taylor is known for his pro-EU links (Chairman of the European Movement 2000-2004 and member of Britain in Europe council until 2005. He chaired the Conservative Europe Group, formerly Conservative Group for Europe) 20067-11. These views are at odds now with his generally-Eurosceptic Conservative Party.
He specialises in science and technology issues - he chaired the Conservative policy group on Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. He chaired the Parliamentary & Scientific Committee, the oldest all-party committee. He was joint Chairman of the Parliamentary Space Committee and an officer of the Parliamentary Inforation Technology Committee. He was also on the IPPR Commission on National Security.
He is a keen supporter of shooting and smoking cigars.
From 1997 until 2010, he was a non-executive director of or adviser to various companies (see Register of Members' Interests). He is a member of the Advisory Council for the Campaign for Science and Engineering.
Read more about this topic: Ian Taylor (British Politician)
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