John Major

  • Served 1990-1997 after Thatcher
  • Not the expected PM, only 2% of the public heard of him in 1989 when he was appointed foreign secretary
  • Came into a fractured Tory party after Thatcher was pushed out
    • Low majority (21), bleeding seats in by-elections
    • Rebellious backbenchers
  • Lacked direction
  • Worked with the cabinet as a manager, not a visionary

Context

  • Weak party (post-Thatcher)
  • Recession
  • Europe
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