nov 28, 1990 - Thatcher resigns; John Major PM

Description:

Background:
-Born 1943
-Working class background in Surrey
-Left school at 16, worked his way up to an executive level in the banking industry
-Conservative councillor in 1970s and was elected as MP for Huntingdonshire in 1979

Role under Thatcher:
-Joined Thatcher's cabinet as Chief Secretary of the Treasury in 1987 and in 1989 was her Foreign Secretary and then Chancellor

Leadership style:
-Careful. He didn't want to immediately get rid of the poll tax for fear of splitting the party. This wasted £1.5bn, but allowed Major to escape the unpopular policy.

Ideology:
-Wanted party unity
-Was a one-nation conservative
-Believed in a 'classless society'
-Wanted to see Britain take a place 'at the very heart of Europe'

Added to timeline:

Date: