Peter Bowness, Baron Bowness

Peter Spencer Bowness, Baron Bowness, CBE, DL (born 19 May 1943) is a British Conservative politician, solicitor, and life peer. Since 1996, he has been a member of the House of Lords.

Bowness became a councillor and soon rose within Conservative Party ranks, becoming Leader of Croydon Council, London's largest borough. During the 1980s, Bowness was said to have been one of Margaret Thatcher's favourite Council leaders, and took part in the abolition of the GLC.[5][6] He was unusual amongst his Conservative colleagues, however, for supporting Ken Livingstone's low-cost public transport initiative, Fares Fair.

He continued as Leader until 1994 when the Labour Party won the local elections. He stepped down from the Council in 1998. He served as a member of the Committee of the Regions and the Audit Commission.

More information on the Wikipedia page.