[191][177] On 1 November, the pro-European deputy prime minister Geoffrey Howe resigned, issuing a fiercely critical broadside against Thatcher in the House of Commons on 13 November. Having left school a day before turning sixteen, Major joined the Young Conservatives in 1959, and soon became a highly active member. [3] He was christened "John Roy Major" but only "John Major" was recorded on his birth certificate;[4][5] he used his middle name until the early 1980s. As prime minister, Major created the Citizen's Charter, removed the Poll Tax and replaced it with the Council Tax, committed British troops to the Gulf War, took charge of the UK's negotiations over the Maastricht Treaty, led the country during the early 1990s economic crisis, withdrew the pound from the European Exchange Rate Mechanism (on Black Wednesday), promoted the socially conservative back to basics campaign, privatised the railways and coal industry, and played a pivotal role in creating peace in Northern Ireland. [11][12] His childhood was generally happy, and he enjoyed reading, sports (especially cricket and football) and keeping pets, such as his rabbits. She was born in Shropshire while her father was stationed there during World War II. ", "John Major appointed European Chairman of the Carlyle Group", "Carlyle begins roadshow for float of private equity pioneer", "Royal wedding guest list includes friends, family and a few dictators", "Royal wedding 2018: Prince Harry and Meghan married at Windsor", "Nelson Mandela: UK to send huge political delegation to South Africa", "Dignitaries from around the world attend funeral service of Barbara Bush", "Former British PM John Major will attend Bush's funeral service", "Sue, grab it and run the country: The Major libel case was a farce with a darker side, says Steve Platt, editor of the New Statesman", "The Major-Currie affair what the papers say", "John Major, Edwina Currie and me, by Clare Latimer", "Forty million dollar Bill: Earning power of an ex-leader", "Bow Group President Sir John Major reflects on 20 years of the Northern Irish Peace Process and his role in it", "Mr Major's Statement on ERM Paper Release", "John Major leads calls for inquiry into conflict", "Cameron snubbed again as Major rules out mayor race", "BBC News Ed Miliband asks Lib Dems to help draw up Labour policy", "Sir John Major urges Tory and Lib Dem pact to continue", "Private school influence in public life 'shocking' says Major", "John Major 'shocked' at privately educated elite's hold on power", "Scots independence threat to UK influence, says Sir John Major", "Scottish independence: Former prime minister John Major gives warning", "Sir John Major condemns Boris Johnson for 'routine attacks' on PM without 'any coherent' Brexit plan", "John Major calls for Commons vote on second referendum", "Boris Johnson faces Brexit challenges as he steps up talks with EU: Live updates", "General election: Former Tory PM John Major urges people to vote against Boris Johnson's candidates", "John Major warns rushed UK-EU trade deal will be 'flimsy', "Boris Johnson 'shredding' UK's reputation with Partygate saga, says former PM Major", "Former UK PM Major: Boris Johnson must go now, for good of the country", "Brexit 'colossal mistake', John Major tells MPs", "Boris Johnson agreed Brexit protocol knowing it was a 'mess', says John Major", "Who has been UK's greatest post-war PM? [248][254] He was a member of the Carlyle Group's European Advisory Board from 1998 and was appointed Chairman of Carlyle Europe in May 2001. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. Two plaques commemorating John Major in South London. [71][74] Major was selected as the Conservative candidate for the Labour-dominated St Pancras North constituency, fighting both the February and October 1974 general elections, losing heavily both times to Labour's Albert Stallard. By the end of his premiership his puppet would often be shown observing the latest fiasco and ineffectually murmuring "oh dear". Major's first ministry was dominated by the early 1990s recession which was believed to be caused by high interest rates, falling house prices and an overvalued exchange rate. Lt. Eugene 'Gene' Holowachuk 96 episodes, . [2] The Labour Party pulled ahead of the Conservatives in every local election during Major's leadership, which increased after Tony Blair became Labour leader in 1994. They met on polling day for the Greater London Council elections in London, and became engaged after only ten days. You can only use this image in editorial media and for personal use. [301] Paddy Ashdown, the Leader of the Liberal Democrats during Major's term of office, was more sympathetic, writing in 2017 that Major was "one of the most honest, brave and sincere men to ever be Prime Minister" and that his time in office compares favourably with that of his successor Tony Blair. Casey Cooper McGillis 96 episodes, 1989-1993 Marisa Ryan . John Major is a British politician who served as the prime minister of the UK and the leader of the 'Conservative Party' from 1990 to 1997. [211] The high interest rates led to more saving, less spending and less investment in the UK's sectors. [209] By the time of Major's appointment, Labour's lead had shrunk to 14%. [64][65][66] John and Norma moved into a flat at Primrose Court, Streatham, which John had bought in 1969,[67] and had their first child, Elizabeth, in November 1971. [266][267], In September 2002, it was revealed that, prior to his elevation to the Cabinet, Major had had a four-year-long extramarital affair with Edwina Currie, from 1984 to 1988. Major said Brexit is, "the worst foreign policy decision in my lifetime. He previously held Cabinet positions under prime minister Margaret Thatcher, lastly as Chancellor of the Exchequer from 1989 to 1990. [245] In 2005 he was elected to the Committee of the Marylebone Cricket Club, historically the governing body of the sport, and still guardian of the laws of the game. Despite being reelected as Conservative leader in the 1995 leadership election, his administration remained unpopular, and soon lost its parliamentary majority. 1 [34] After Major became prime minister, it was misreported that his failure to get a job as a bus conductor resulted from his failing to pass a maths test; he had in fact passed all of the necessary tests but had been passed over owing to his height. reining in the power of trade unions and privatising failing industries) had already been completed under Thatcher, the swift nature of his rise to power left him little time to formulate policy positions and upon becoming prime minister he was immediately thrust into having to deal with the Gulf War and a major recession. [15][16] The family's fortunes took a turn for the worse, with his father's health deteriorating,[nb 2] and the business in severe financial difficulties. [132][133] Major found the prospect daunting, and unsuccessfully attempted to convince Thatcher to allow him to stay on at the Treasury. When Was John Major Born? Since stepping down as an MP in 2001, Major has focused on writing and his business, sporting and charity work, and has occasionally commented on political developments in the role of an elder statesman. 'I'd had the ring for about six weeks but I had the moment planned for a long time,' he said at the time. [262] Major has also attended the funerals of notable political figures, such as Nelson Mandela in December 2013,[263] former US first lady Barbara Bush at St. Martin's Episcopal Church in Houston, Texas on 21 April 2018[264] and the state funeral of George H. W. Bush on 5 December 2018.[265]. All that Elizabeth and both families wish for is that they be given peace and privacy during this desperately sad time. He has suffered hair loss as a side-effect of the intensive chemotherapy he has had to try to shrink the tumour. [292], In February 2022, Major made a speech at the Institute for Government think-tank in London, in which he criticised Johnson over the Partygate scandal, suggesting that he ought to resign, and also the proposed policy for those seeking asylum which he called "un-British". [13][14] In 1954 John passed the 11+ exam, enabling him to go to Rutlish School, a grammar school in Merton Park, though to John's chagrin his father insisted that he register as 'John Major-Ball'. "[294], In February 2023, Major made a speech at the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee Britain, where he said that Brexit was "a colossal mistake" and that Johnson agreed the Brexit protocol knowing it was "a mess".[295][296]. In the 1997 election on 1 May 1997, Labour won a 179-seat majority, ending their eighteen years in opposition. The European Currency Unit was a notional unit of account based on a weighted 'basket' of major European currencies. 2023 Getty Images. [334], Major was often mocked for his nostalgic evocation of what sounded like the lost Britain of the 1950s .mw-parser-output div.crossreference{padding-left:0}(see Merry England);[335] for example, his famous speech stating that "Fifty years from now Britain will still be the country of long shadows on county grounds, warm beer, invincible green suburbs, dog lovers and pools fillers and as George Orwell said 'old maids bicycling to Holy Communion through the morning mist'. Major was later to express regret for his support for large-scale tower block estates. He served in Thatcher's third ministry as Chief Secretary to the Treasury from 1987 to 1989, Foreign Secretary in 1989, and Chancellor of the Exchequer from 1989 to 1990. The Conservatives were defeated in the 1997 general election, resulting in a Labour government ending 18 years of Conservative rule. ", Appointed Prime Minister: John Major (Conservative), This page was last edited on 1 May 2023, at 08:04. Immediate Family: Daughter of George Majors and Susanna Pray. [21][22] Major left school just before his 16th birthday in 1959 with just three O-level passes in History, English Language and English Literature, to his parents' disappointment. [79][80] Major was in some ways an odd choice, being a born-and-bred Londoner in a largely rural constituency still home to many landed families; however, he was seen as being the most likely to win-over the increasingly large numbers of upwardly mobile London over-spill families living in the area, and he was helped to familiarise himself with the area by local MP David Renton. [385][386][387] There is another bust of Major in the Norman Shaw Building North by Neale Andrew, sculpted in 1993 and installed in 2004, however this is not accessible to the public. Major's elder brother Terry, who died in 2007, became a minor media personality during Major's period in Downing Street, writing a 1994 autobiography, Major Major: Memories of an Older Brother, and appearing on TV shows such as Have I Got News for You. For example, in Spitting Image, Major's puppet was changed from a circus performer to that of a literally grey man who ate dinner with his wife in silence, occasionally saying "nice peas, dear", while at the same time nursing an unrequited crush on his colleague Virginia Bottomley an invention, but an ironic one in view of his affair with Edwina Currie, which was not then a matter of public knowledge. [346] They have two children: a daughter, Elizabeth (born November 1971)[68][69] and a son, James (b. January 1975). [106], In September 1985, Major was made Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Department of Health and Social Security (DHSS), before being promoted to become Minister of State in the same department in September 1986. John Major was born on March 29, 1943, in St Helier, Carshalton, Surrey, London, England. "Skill in context: A comparison of politicians. [7][8], The Major familyJohn, his parents, and his two older siblings Terry and Pat)[nb 1]lived at 260 Longfellow Road, Worcester Park, Surrey, a middle-class area where Major's father ran a garden ornaments business and his mother worked in a local library and as a part-time dance teacher. [391][392] The National Portrait Gallery holds two paintings of Major the first official portrait of him as prime minister, painted by Peter Deighan in 1994,[393][394] and one of John and Norma by John Wonnacott, painted in 1997. [70] They continue to live at their constituency home, Finings, in Great Stukeley, Huntingdonshire. [205][206][207] At 47, he was the youngest prime minister since Lord Rosebery some 95 years earlier. [96][97], Major comfortably won re-election to the now slightly enlarged seat of Huntingdon at the 1983 general election. [184][185][186] By early 1990, it was clear that bills for many under the new poll tax regime would be higher than anticipated, and opposition to the Tax grew, with a non-payment campaign gaining much support and an anti-poll tax demonstration in Trafalgar Square in March ending in rioting. [84] He made his maiden speech in the House of Commons on 13 June 1979, voicing his support for the government's budget. Mr Salter, the son of an infant school teacher, Diane, and a Ministry of Defence worker, Roger, knew Elizabeth Major, a veterinary nurse, for 10 years before they married. [239][240] Major went on to write a book about the history of cricket in 2007 (More Than a Game: The Story of Cricket's Early Years)[241] and a book about music hall (My Old Man: A Personal History of Music Hall) in 2012. The news of Mr Salter's tumour comes three months after his wife's brother James Major, 27, suffered a meningitis scare and a burst appendix. Find the right content for your market. [278] He later publicly approved the release of the papers. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------. [305] Oborne singled out Major's achievements in the Northern Irish peace process, boosting the economy, keeping Britain out of the Eurozone, and his reforms of public services as being worthy of praise. [270] In a press statement, Major said that he was "ashamed" by the affair and that his wife had forgiven him. Elizabeth Major, daughter of former prime minister John Major, has been married. [123][124] Major successfully concluded a second round of such spending reviews in July 1988. [132] There were also fears within the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) that Major would be Thatcher's 'hatchet-man', as her relations with the department under Geoffrey Howe had been poor and characterised by mutual distrust. He formed a temporary Shadow Cabinet, but with seven of his Cabinet ministers having lost their seats at the election, and with few senior MPs left to replace them, several MPs had to hold multiple briefs. Oct 21 1650 - Messingham, Lincolnshire, England Death: 1721 - Lincolnshire, England Parents: Robert Little, Martha Helen Little (born Hood) Husband: George Major Daughter: Ellen Chaffer (born Major) View the Record Mary Major (born Little)in MyHeritage family trees (Royall Web Site) [319][320] Long-standing Conservative MP Enoch Powell, when asked about Major, stated "I simply find myself asking does he really exist? [183], Opposition within the Conservative Party to Margaret Thatcher had been brewing for some time, focusing on what was seen as her brusque, imperious style and the poll tax, which was facing serious opposition across the country. The veterinary nurse wed medical student Luke Salter, 28, at All Saints' Church at Somerby in Rutland.. [88][89] He became Secretary of the Environment Committee and also assisted with work on the Housing Act 1980, which allowed council house tenants the Right to Buy their homes. [221][222], On 12 May 1994, John Smith died from a heart attack and was replaced by Tony Blair who continued Labour's modernisation under the slogan of "New Labour". This child was a son, John. [406][407] Major Close, in Loughborough Junction near where John grew up, is also named for him; the street was to be called 'Sir John Major Close', however this long name breached council guidelines.[408]. [313], Political historian Robert Taylor, in his 2006 biography of Major, concurs with many of these points, summing up that "In the perspective provided by the years of New Labour government since May 1997, John Major's record as Prime Minister looked much better than his many critics liked to suggest Britain's most extraordinary Conservative Prime Minister bequeathed an important legacy to this party and his country to build on. [345][62][63] She was a teacher and a member of the Young Conservatives. [255][256][257] He stood down from the Group circa 200405. Industry 4.0 and the future of work: How to prepare for the digital age, Brian Mooney: Creation of technological universities brings risks as well as benefits, Ammi Burke returns to High Court for hearing on claim of unfair dismissal from law firm, Prize bonds - could it be you? Wearing a full, flowing white dress with satin bodice, she waved for photographers before going into the church. Sponsored A spokesman. view all 20 Immediate Family John E. Major husband Elizabeth Major daughter Edward Major son Anne Finch Major daughter Katherine Major daughter Maria Major daughter George Bernard Major son George Marable father Ann mother Lt. Edward Henry Marable brother JOHN MARABLE brother William Marable brother view all Martha Marable's Timeline M N O P Q R S London - The daughter of the former British prime minister, Mr John Major, yesterday announced her engagement, after her fiance, Mr Luke Salter, proposed to her on Christmas morning. Major's first promotion came when he was appointed as a Parliamentary Private Secretary in January 1981 to Patrick Mayhew and Timothy Raison, both Ministers of State at the Home Office. He supported the Britain Stronger in Europe campaign for the UK to remain in the European Union, and has often criticised Brexit since the outcome of the 2016 referendum. He said that he wanted a "firebreak from politics" and to focus on writing and his business, sporting and charity work. Mr Salter, whom friends describe as a good all-round sportsman, particularly keen on cricket and golf, has had to stop his work as a doctor for Leicester University Hospitals NHS Trust. The Getty Images design is a trademark of Getty Images. Never have the stakes been higher, especially for the young. [311] Seldon concludes that "Major was neither non-entity nor failure. [218] This was the Conservatives' fourth consecutive election victory. [125][126], Whilst Chief Secretary Major took part in discussions over the future funding of the NHS, against the background of an NHS strike in February 1988 over pay, resulting in the 'Working for Patients' white paper and subsequent National Health Service and Community Care Act 1990. ", "Honest John gives it to us straight stale buns and all", "Over the top? After John was born, Zacharias prophesied of John's calling as "the prophet of the Highest" ().John would prepare the way for the Lord, the Messiah who would "perform the mercy promised to our fathers, and remember his holy covenant; the oath which he sware to our father Abraham" (Luke 1:72-73).Interestingly, Elisabeth's name in Hebrew means "God is my oath."1 Since leaving office, Major has tended to maintain a low profile in the media, occasionally making political interventions. [7] John Major later described the family's circumstances at this time as being "comfortable but not well off". [137][138] He represented Britain at the Paris Peace Conference to determine the future of Cambodia. [395], There is a large John Major Suite at The Oval, home to Surrey County Cricket Club; the venue also contains a painting of Major. "[228], Major served as Leader of the Opposition for seven weeks while the leadership election to replace him was underway. 2 He married Elizabeth Major, daughter of Rt. [293] In July 2022, immediately following Johnson's announcement he intended to resign as prime minister but would stay until a successor was chosen, Major called for Johnson's immediate replacement and removal "for the overall wellbeing of the country. Open your image file to the full size using image processing software. But I'm receiving treatment for it with a curative intent. Wife of Richard Jackman. The additional bitterness on the right wing of the Conservative Party at the manner in which Margaret Thatcher had been deposed did not make Major's task any easier, with many viewing him as a weak and vacillating leader. [37][38] Eventually in December 1962 he found a job working at the London Electricity Board (LEB) in Elephant and Castle. 'Because of the rareness of it, it's difficult to speculate about how things will turn out. 'But I have not tried to hide this from anyone and both our families are fully aware of my condition.'. Membership of the Order of the Garter is limited in number to 24, and as a personal gift of the Monarch is an honour traditionally bestowed on former prime ministers. [114][115] Amidst intense media criticism, Major discussed the issue with Margaret Thatcher and an increase in the payments was approved. ATU: More than 600 programmes, from pre-degree to doctoral level. But maybe Campbell has a point on the press", "Not Inconsiderable: Being the Life and Times of John Major", "Rory Bremner's impression of John Major was so good, there were fears he could 'bring down the government', "Cabinet secretary 'voiced security fears' over Rory Bremner's impersonation of John Major", "Mr Major's Speech to Conservative Group for Europe", "John Major's Contributions in the 'The Major Years' 15 October 1999", "Historical British Prime Ministers On Screen", https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RCGuciAmOY4`, "John Major dismisses The Crown as a 'barrel-load of nonsense', "Take a video tour of 1992 Brixton with John Major", "Protection bill for John Major rises to 1.5m", "Tony Blair police protection costs under scrutiny", "Noble Vs Major: Sir John and Lady Major deny claims they are ignoring their autistic grandchild", "Major steals the show with 'secret siblings', "Major and Thatcher: how they are related: So it really is in the genes. Despite the recession finally ending in 1993, the Conservatives' popularity didn't improve. [68][69] In 1974 the couple moved to a larger residence at West Oak, Beckenham, and had a second child, James, in January 1975. She was three months' pregnant with a fourth child whose father was William Cameron. Guests, including the bride's brother James and his pregnant wife Emma Noble, gathered at the small church about an hour before the bride arrived. [77][78] Growing increasingly frustrated, Major resolved to make one last attempt, applying for selection to the safe Conservative seat of Huntingdonshire and finally he succeeded. Major made tackling inflation a priority, stating that tough measures were needed to bring it down and that "if it isn't hurting, it isn't working. [135][136], Amongst Major's first acts as Foreign Secretary was to cancel the sale of Hawk aircraft to Iraq, over concerns they would be used for internal repression. [44] In December 1966 he was sent for a long secondment in Jos, Nigeria, which he enjoyed immensely, though he was put off by the casual racism of some of the ex-pat workers there. [17] A recalled business loan which the family were unable to repay forced Tom Major to sell the house in Worcester Park in May 1955, with the family moving to a cramped, rented top-floor flat at 144 Coldharbour Lane, Brixton. His resignation as Conservative leader formally took effect in June 1997 after the election of William Hague. Economic growth wasn't re-established until early 1993. [300] Major's Chancellor Ken Clarke stated in 2016 that Major's reputation looked better as time went by, in contrast to that of Tony Blair's which appeared to be in decline. . [148][138], Major's last major summit as Foreign Secretary was the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Malaysia. Footage of Major's 1992 election win is used in Patrick Keiller's 1994 documentary film London. Dame Norma Christina Elizabeth, Lady Major, DBE [1] (ne Wagstaff, formerly Johnson; born 12 February 1942) is an English philanthropist who is the wife of Sir John Major. "[284][285], During the 2014 Scottish independence referendum Major strongly encouraged a "No" vote, stating that a vote for independence would be damaging both for Scotland and the rest of the UK. Major held several junior government positions under Thatcher from 1984 to 1987, including Parliamentary Private Secretary and assistant whip. In 1993, Major sued two magazines, New Statesman and Society and Scallywag, as well as their distributors, for reporting rumours of an affair with Clare Latimer, a Downing Street caterer, even though at least one of the magazines had said that the rumours were false. "[271], Major has become an active after-dinner speaker, earning over 25,000 per engagement for his "insights and his own opinions" on politics and other matters according to his agency. John Major was born on 29 March 1943 at St Helier Hospital and Queen Mary's Hospital for Children in St Helier, Surrey, the son of Gwen Major ( ne Coates, 1905-1970) and former music hall performer Tom Major-Ball (1879-1962), who was 63 years old when Major was born. 344,028,143 stock photos, 360 panoramic images, vectors and videos, Share Alamy images with your team and customers. He describes the illness as 'a form of cancer of the meninges, the layer of tissue that overlays the brain and spinal cord'. [211] Falling house prices stalled construction in the housing sector. [355] James later married Kate Postlethwaite (ne Dorrell), the mother of his second son. He remained active in parliament, regularly attending and contributing in debates, until he gave up his seat in the 2001 general election to focus on writing and his business, sporting and charity work.
