John Roy Major Biography and Timeline

Education

Enters Cheam Common Junior School

Education

Enters Rutlish Grammar School

Young Conservatives

Appointed Member of Brixton Young Conservatives

Election

Elected Member of Lambeth Council, Ferndale ward

Vice Chair-Housing

Appointed Vice Chair of Housing, Lambeth Council

Chairman

Appointed Chairman of Housing, Lambeth Council

Marriage

Marries Norma Johnson

Member of Parliament

Elected Member of Parliament for Huntingdon, majority of 21,563

Role range: 1979-1990

Speech

Makes maiden speech in the House of Commons

Role range: 1979-1990

Assistant Whip

Appointed Assistant Whip

Role range: 1979-1990

Member of Parliament

Elected Member of Parliament for Huntingdon, majority 20,348

Role range: 1979-1990

Lord Commissioner

Appointed Lord Commissioner

Role range: 1979-1990

Whip

Appointed Treasury Whip

Role range: 1979-1990

Minister of Social Security

Appointed Minister of Social Security

Role range: 1979-1990 – 1986-1987

Chief Secretary

Appointed Chief Secretary to the Treasury

Role range: 1979-1990 – 1987-1989

Member of Parliament

Elected Member of Parliament for Huntingdon, majority 27,044

Role range: 1979-1990 – 1987-1989

Privy Council

Appointed Privy Councillor

Role range: 1979-1990

Break in Diplomatic Relations with Britain

Iran breaks off diplomatic relations with Britain

Role range: 1979-1990 – 1989-1990

Foreign Secretary of Great Britain

Appointed Foreign Secretary

Role range: 1979-1990 – 1989-1990

Political Support at London

The PM supports Majors advice not to sell BA Hawks to Iraq

Role range: 1979-1990 – 1989-1990

Report

Opposes proposals for a single currency & a central bank for the EU

Role range: 1979-1990 – 1989-1990

Report

Opposes proposals for a single currency & a central bank for the EU

Role range: 1979-1990 – 1989-1990

Conference of UNGA

Attends the United Nations General Assembly Conference

Role range: 1979-1990 – 1989-1990

Conference of CHOGM

Drafts Britains opposition to sanctions against South Africa

Role range: 1979-1990 – 1989-1990

Chancellor of the Exchequer

Appointed Chancellor of the Exchequer

Role range: 1987-1990 – 1989-1990

Resignation of Nigel Lawson

Thatcher informs Major in private that Lawson is going to resign

Role range: 1979-1990 – 1989-1990

Economy of Great Britain

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%

Role range: 1979-1990 – 1989-1990

European Exchange Rate Mechanism (ERM)

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%

Role range: 1979-1990 – 1989-1990

Commonwealth

Attends the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, opposes South African sanctions

Role range: 1979-1990 – 1989-1990

Conference of CHOGM

Attends the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, opposes South African sanctions

Role range: 1979-1990 – 1989-1990

Sanctions

Opposes sanctions against South Africa

Role range: 1979-1990 – 1989-1990

Economy of Great Britain

Major & Hurd convince the Cabinet to sign Britain up to the European Exchange Rate Mechanism (ERM) guaranteeing that the the pound and other member currencies do not fluctuate by more than 6%

Role range: 1979-1990 – 1989-1990

European Exchange Rate Mechanism (ERM)

Lawson & Walters' clash over the Exchange Rate Mechanism (ERM) leads to Lawson's resignation & Major's appointment as Chancellor

Role range: 1979-1990 – 1989-1990

European Exchange Rate Mechanism (ERM)

Major & Hurd convince the Cabinet to sign Britain up to the European Exchange Rate Mechanism (ERM) guaranteeing that the the pound and other member currencies do not fluctuate by more than 6%

Role range: 1979-1990 – 1989-1990

Rule of Hong Kong

John Major meets Qian Qichen to discuss the handover of Hong Kong to China

Role range: 1979-1990 – 1989-1990

Budget

Delivers the budget in the House of Commons

Role range: 1987-1990 – 1989-1990

Election

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

Role range: 1987-1990 – 1990-1990

Election

Receives 185 votes in the second ballot; after Heseltine and Hurd withdraw, Major becomes Conservative Party leader.

Role range: 1990-1997 – 1990-1997

Election

Wins the Party leadership election, Major 185 votes, Heseltine 131 & Hurd 56

Role range: 1990-1997 – 1990-1997

Party Leader

Appointed Party Leader of the Conservative Party

Role range: 1990-1997 – 1990-1997