Douglas Richard Hurd Biography

Appointed Home Secretary

Major & Hurd convince the Cabinet to sign Britain up to the European Exchange Rate Mechanism (ERM) effectively guaranteeing that the British Government would follow a policy preventing the pound and other member currencies from fluctuating by more than 6%

Major & Hurd convince the Cabinet to sign Britain up to the European Exchange Rate Mechanism (ERM) effectively guaranteeing that the British Government would follow a policy preventing the pound and other member currencies from fluctuating by more than 6%

Appointed Foreign Minister

Announces intention to stand in the 2nd round of the Conservative Party leadership

Heseltine & Hurd stand down from the party leadership contest. 2nd round leadership ballot, Major wins 185 votes, Heseltine 131 & Hurd 56

Britain joins the Allies & east & West Germany in a final settlement with Germany

In the second leadership ballot John Major receives 185 votes, Michael Heseltine 131 and Douglas Hurd 56; Heseltine and Hurd subsequently withdraw.

Appointed Foreign Secretary

The 2 halves of the Channel tunnel are joined

Supports Britain's intergovernmental approach to foreign-policy cooperation during the Luxembourg talks.

Hurd represents British foreign-policy interests as the final Maastricht negotiations open.

Hurd helps finalise Britain's intergovernmental safeguards in foreign and security policy.

Confirms the negotiated British position including treaty opt-outs.

Signs the Treaty on European Union for Great Britain as Foreign Secretary.

Hurd helps defend Britain's Maastricht opt-outs while the Edinburgh European Council concludes.

Serves as Foreign Secretary when Maastricht takes effect and Britain enters the new European Union framework.