Francis Pym
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Francis Leslie Pym, Baron Pym, PC, (born February 13, 1922) is a UK politician and former member of the Cabinet.
Educated at Magdalene College, Cambridge, he served in the army during World War II and was awarded the Military Cross and Bar. Pym entered Parliament in 1961 as Member of Parliament for Cambridgeshire, holding the seat until 1983, and was MP for Cambridgeshire South East 1983-1987. He served under Edward Heath as Government Chief Whip (1970–1973) and Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1973–1974), and Margaret Thatcher as Defence Secretary (1979–1981), Leader of the House of Commons and Lord President of the Council (1981–1982) then Foreign Secretary (1982–1983). He was regarded as a leading member of the Wets during the Thatcher administration. During the 1983 general election campaign he publicly stated that he didn't think a landslide majority would produce a good government; this was publicly repudiated by his party leader, Margaret Thatcher. After winning a landslide she sacked him. He stood down at the 1987 election and was given a life peerage as Lord Pym.
He is a descendent of the 17th century Parliamentarian John Pym.
| Preceded by: William Whitelaw | Secretary of State for Northern Ireland 1973–1974 | Succeeded by: Merlyn Rees |
| Preceded by: Frederick Mulley | Secretary of State for Defence 1979–1981 | Succeeded by: John Nott |
| Preceded by: Angus Maude | Paymaster-General 1981 | Succeeded by: Cecil Parkinson |
| Preceded by: The Lord Carrington | Foreign Secretary 1982–1983 | Succeeded by: Sir Geoffrey Howe |