Charles Falconer, Lord Falconer de Thoroton, na íntegra Charles Leslie Falconer, (nascido em 19 de novembro de 1951, Edimburgo, Escócia), político britânico cujo mandato como senhor chanceler (2003-2007) foi marcado pela reforma do sistema jurídico do Reino Unido.
Questionário
Inglês Homens de distinção: fato ou ficção?
Henrique VIII tinha 10 esposas.
Falconer foi educado no Trinity College, Glenalmond (atualmente Glenalmond College), na Escócia, e estudou direito na Universidade de Cambridge, Queen's College. Quando menino, ele conheceu Tony Blair (futuro primeiro ministro do Reino Unido) e, na década de 1960, os dois até competiram para namorar a mesma jovem. Em 1976, eles eram jovens advogados trabalhando no mesmo prédio. Blair se mudou para o apartamento de Falconer no sul de Londres por um tempo e ambos se tornaram ativos no mesmo ramo local do Partido Trabalhista.
Na década de 1980, depois que Blair entrou na política, Falconer continuou a seguir uma carreira jurídica bem-sucedida, especializada em direito comercial. Os dois permaneceram próximos; eles compraram casas perto um do outro em Islington, no norte de Londres, e costumavam jantar juntos. Em 1991, na idade incomumente jovem de 40 anos, Falconer foi nomeado conselheiro da rainha (a designação oficial dos advogados seniores). Antes das eleições gerais de 1997 (com um governo trabalhista quase certo após 18 anos de oposição), ele tentou concorrer ao Parlamento, mas foi recusado porque enviou seus filhos para escolas privadas pagadoras de taxas - algo que ativa os trabalhadores locais. Os membros do partido lamentaram esmagadoramente.
Following Labour’s return to power in that election, Blair arranged for a life peerage for his old friend and appointed him solicitor general. In 1998 Falconer was moved to the Cabinet Office, where he came to public attention as the minister responsible for the controversial Millennium Dome. He defended a project that many considered indefensible with good humour, a stance that evoked admiration and criticism in equal measure. After brief terms as housing minister (2001) and minister for criminal justice (2002–03), on June 12, 2003, Falconer was named to the post of lord chancellor. On the same day, Blair announced the abolition of that position (first created in 605) and its replacement by the role of secretary of state for constitutional affairs. Falconer, as the 259th and last lord chancellor, as well as the first constitutional affairs secretary, was given the task of introducing the legislation for the change. Within Parliament and the legal profession, there was widespread support in principle for reform. New measures would finally separate politics and the judiciary and end the ability of a government minister to appoint senior judges. Blair’s appointment of his friend badly weakened the impact of a reform designed to curb patronage, but Falconer himself attracted little criticism—his skills, integrity, and easygoing style were admired across the political spectrum.
The reforms overseen by Falconer included the creation of a new supreme court. Although he ultimately failed to abolish the position of the lord chancellor, it was redefined by constitutional reform in 2006: the lord chief justice took over many of the judicial aspects of the role, and the lord chancellor was no longer to serve as speaker of the House of Lords. Falconer also dealt with interpretation of the Human Rights Act in regard to treatment of those suspected of terrorist activities—a controversial issue in the wake of the 2005 bombings of London’s Underground train system.
In May 2007, after the short-lived post of constitutional affairs secretary was abolished, Falconer became secretary of state for justice. A month later, after Gordon Brown became prime minister, Falconer was replaced by Jack Straw. Falconer took a position with a private American firm, wrote articles, and frequently appeared as a radio commentator. He also became chair of the John Smith Memorial Trust, honouring the late Labour Party leader. During Conservative David Cameron’s tenure as prime minister, Falconer served as shadow spokesman for justice (2010–15), shadow spokesman for constitutional and deputy priministerial issues (2011–15), and shadow lord chancellor and shadow secretary of state for justice (2015–16).
