Bernard Donoughue, Baron Donoughue

Bernard Donoughue, Baron Donoughue (born 8 September 1934) is a British politician, academic, businessman and author. He is a member of the Labour Party.

Early life and education According to his autobiography, Donoughue was born into poverty. He is the son of Thomas Joseph Donoughue and Maud Violet Andrews. He was educated at Campbell Secondary Modern School and Northampton Grammar School. He studied at the University of Oxford, first at Lincoln College,

Journalism The Economist Donoughue went into politics to be "associated with Labour governments which defended the interests of working people and underprivileged people." His career has always been at the centre of London, as the capital of politics, education, business and journalism.

His first job after university was as a member of the editorial staff of The Economist in 1959 and 1960, while a young Labour activist supporting Hugh Gaitskell. He was senior research officer of the Political and Economic Planning Institute between 1960 and 1963.

The Times Out of government from 1979 to 1981, Donoughue was development director of the Economist Intelligence Unit, and in 1982-83 was assistant editor of The Times until his dismissal by the new right-wing owner, Rupert Murdoch. He gave his opinion in an interview with the New Statesman: I’m very proud of that fact I was sacked by Murdoch. That’s an honour! There are quite a number of us with that honour, of course. Donoughue was at The Times during Murdoch's takeover and in his first year as proprietor, and he holds the media mogul responsible for what he dubs "a diminution in the values of our society". News International were in the throes of a business revolution in Fleet Street: at its hub was the end of a closed shop for the skilled craftsmen of the print 'chapters' who zealously guarded their trade secrets. Murdoch's actions broke up the old union grip on the news print media; former journalists like Tony Benn were incensed but the Labour Party were helpless to resist the changes from opposition. At the time he lived in Hampstead and Highgate, where John McDonnell was the party's candidate for a seat won by the Conservative Party in the 'landslide' election of 1983.

Politics Head of the policy research unit For a long time a lecturer close to young people, he was asked by the Wilson government to join the founding Sports Council, an advisory body to harness amateur physical recreation. Twenty years later he would make his first speech in the Lords on Sporting Events (controls) bill.

Wilson took notice of Donoughue's communication skills, displayed in his career at the LSE and in his journalism, when he was appointed head of the policy research unit in 1974. Two years before that, there had been a flurry of questions in both houses about whether these unaccredited "political" advisers were paid from public funds. Wilson expanded the department in No.10, and it had a profound influence on policy formation. For the first time the Official Report published the salaries; and as being part of the Civil Service department.

Donoughue continued to head the policy research unit under Wilson's successor, James Callaghan, and he held the office until the defeat of the Labour Party in 1979. He was an admirer and close friend of Callaghan, whose relaxed 'beer and sandwiches' approach to political interaction contrasted to the intensity of successive prime ministerial conceited wisdom that demanded heavy studying.

House of Lords On 21 May 1985 he was created a life peer as Baron Donoughue, of Ashton in the County of Northampton.

He is a member of Labour Friends of Israel.

Whitehall source for Yes Minister In the early 1980s he was one of the sources inside Whitehall used by the writers of the comedy series Yes Minister, the other one being Baroness Falkender.

Other roles Finance industry Donoughue was head of research and investment policy of Grieveson Grant and Co Stockbrokers from 1982 to 1986 and head of international research and director of Kleinwort Grieveson Securities Ltd from 1986 to 1988, a branch arm of the investment bank. Following this, Donoughue was executive vice-chair of LBI from 1988 to 1991 and director of Towcester Racecourse Ltd from 1992 to 1997.

Horse racing Donoughue helped found the British Horse Industry Confederation in 1999 and was a Consultant Member until 2003. The radical change to the status quo proved a revolution in working people's experience of gaming that would indirectly cause remedial action on payday loans. The SPRC is a non-profit organisation operating on a cost recovery basis that is responsible for the integrity of the starting price (SP). The majority of bets on British horseracing struck with bookmakers in betting shops and other off-course outlets are paid out according to the SP. The job of the Commission is to ensure that the returned price accurately reflects the price available on-course at the off.

Personal life Donoughue was married to Carol Ruth Goodman from 1959 until their divorce in 1989; they have two sons and two daughters. He married Sarah, Lady Berry, widow of Sir Anthony Berry, in 2009.

Donoughue was chairman of the London Symphony Orchestra from 1979 to 1991, patron from 1989 to 1995, and has been an associate since 2000.