Appointment as Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster
Appointed Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, adding responsibility for the Duchy office while taking a central role in managing government business in Parliament.
Permanent historical records · Updated 2026-11-03
1981 in Great Britain
Explore 261 historical events and records for Great Britain in 1981.
Historical records for Great Britain in 1981
Sorted by month and day. Records with no month are shown last. Showing 40 of 261 unique records.
261Unique records
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34Named events on this page
13Named people on this page
5Places on this page
January
Appointment as Paymaster General
Appointed Paymaster General during the January 1981 government changes, holding the Treasury post alongside his other responsibilities until September.
Cabinet
Pym becomes leader of the Commons, Nott Defence Secretary & Britain Chief Sec
Leader of House of Commons
Appointed Leader of the House of Commons
Prime Minister of Great Britain
St John Stevas & Maude leave the Government
Business of the House
As Leader of the House, announces the following week's Commons business, including legislation, opposition debates and scheduled parliamentary proceedings.
Select Committee Debate
Addresses the Commons on the developing departmental Select Committee system and reiterates support for stronger parliamentary monitoring of the Executive.
Commission Departure
Completes his term as President of the European Commission.
Commission Presidency Ends
Ends four years as President of the European Commission.
Liverpool Ministerial Visit
Answers a parliamentary question concerning a ministerial visit to Liverpool.
SDP
One of the "Gang of Four", former Labour Minister's who found the SDP
Gang of Four
Helps found the SDP with Jenkins, Shirley Williams and Bill Rodgers.
Gang of Four
Helps form the SDP as one of the Gang of Four.
Gang of Four
Joins Jenkins, David Owen and Bill Rodgers in the SDP breakaway.
Limehouse Declaration
Signs the Limehouse Declaration with other Labour defectors launching the SDP project.
SDP
One of the Gang of Four, former Labour ministers who found the SDP.
SDP
One of the "Gang of Four", former Labour Minister's who found the SDP
SDP
One of the "Gang of Four", former Labour Minister's who found the SDP
Planning Appeals System
Answers a parliamentary question concerning the planning appeals system.
Social Democratic Alliance
Appointed President of the Social Democratic Alliance
February
Duchy of Lancaster Staffing
Answers Commons questions on the Duchy of Lancaster office, stating that its staff included administrators, surveyors, accounts personnel and clerical employees.
Duchy Patronage Responsibilities
Explains his Duchy patronage duties, including appointments connected with church livings, educational governing bodies, chaplaincies and charitable homes.
New Towns
Addresses Commons questions on policy and expenditure for the new towns.
Partnership Committees
Addresses Commons questions on inner-city partnership committees.
Strike
Thatchers Conservative Government withdraws plans to close 23 pits in its first major u-turn since coming to power 2 years ago
Strike
Miners vote in favour of a 9.3 per cent pay rise
Grammy Award
John Lennon and Yoko Onos Double Fantasy wins Album of the Year for 1981 at the 24th Annual Grammy Awards
John Lennon and Yoko Onos Double
John Lennon and Yoko Onos Double Fantasy wins Album of the Year for 1981 at the 24th Annual Grammy Awards
Commons Business Programme
Announces Commons business including a scheduled debate on the independent strategic deterrent, legislation and opposition supply business for the following week.
You Better You Bet
Release You Better You Bet.
March
Budget Debate Schedule
Sets out the Commons programme surrounding the March Budget, including continuation of the Budget debate and other government and opposition business.
Face Dances Album
Release Face Dances with Kenney Jones on drums.
Canvey Island Planning Inquiry
Addresses the Commons concerning the Canvey Island planning inquiry.
SDP Launch
Helps launch the Social Democratic Party with other Labour defectors.
Social Democratic Party Launch
Helps launch the Social Democratic Party as a centrist alternative to Labour.
Greater London Council Housing Transfer
Takes part in Commons proceedings on transfer of Greater London Council housing.
April
Third Force
Paisley establishes another paramilitary group, 3rd Force
Ulster Resistance
Establishe the paramilitary group Ulster Resistance
Parliamentary Business Statement
Announces the following week's Commons timetable, covering the Finance Bill, Transport Bill, regional policy debate and several consolidation measures.
Demonstrations
!st day of a weekend of riots in Brixton. Lord Scarman is later appointed to review the causes of the riots
How these records were prepared
Generated from the World History Database historical_events table. Identical display records are collapsed; descriptions otherwise retain the stored text. Coverage and source quality vary. Check primary and specialist sources before citing individual historical claims.