[370] He also enjoys gardening, listening to music and reading; Anthony Trollope being among his favourite authors. [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. [54][55][nb 5] He also promoted more openness at the council, initiating a series of public meetings with local residents. [203][204] With no remaining challengers, Major was formally named Leader of the Conservative Party that evening and was duly appointed prime minister the following day. Hon Sir John Major", "April Artwork of the Month: 'John Major MP' by June Mendoza", "Exclusive: MPs splash out 250,000 of public money on vanity portraits", "Twenty-seventh report of the House of Commons Commission 2004/05", "Tree planted by John Major on the Eaton Socon river bank has been cut down", "Sensory Garden for Children's Unit, Hinchingbrooke Hospital , Huntingdonshire", "Major opens Gatwick North Terminal extension", "Sir John Major opens new Hunts FA headquarters", "More than 600 visitors attend the first ever Alconbury Weald Big Summer Bash", "There's a John Major road ahead but even he hasn't noticed", contributions in Parliament by John Major, 'Prime-Ministers in the Post-War World: John Major', "Archival material relating to John Major", Leaders of the Opposition of the United Kingdom, Foreign Secretaries of the United Kingdom, Organisations associated with the Conservative Party, Conservative National Property Advisory Committee, European Conservatives and Reformists Party, European Conservatives Group and Democratic Alliance, Shadow Secretary of State for Defence of the United Kingdom, Shadow Foreign Secretaries of the United Kingdom, Current members of the Order of the Garter, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=John_Major&oldid=1152610592, 20th-century prime ministers of the United Kingdom, British Secretaries of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, Chancellors of the Exchequer of the United Kingdom, Conservative Party (UK) MPs for English constituencies, Conservative Party prime ministers of the United Kingdom, Councillors in the London Borough of Lambeth, Leaders of the Opposition (United Kingdom), Grand Cordons of the Order of the Rising Sun, Members of the Order of the Companions of Honour, Members of the Privy Council of the United Kingdom, Pages containing London Gazette template with parameter supp set to y, Articles with dead external links from June 2021, Articles with permanently dead external links, Articles with dead external links from July 2021, Short description is different from Wikidata, Articles to be expanded from November 2021, Pages using multiple image with auto scaled images, Articles containing Spanish-language text, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, Bell, David S., Erwin C. Hargrove, and Kevin Theakston. [107][108] The large size of the DHSS granted Ministers a greater degree of responsibility than in other departments,[nb 6] with Major assisting with work on the Social Security Act 1986 and improving provision for disabled people. [149][150] The summit ended acrimoniously, with Thatcher controversially and against established precedent issuing a second final communiqu stating Britain's opposition to sanctions, with the press seizing on the apparent disagreement on the matter between Major and Thatcher. [311] Seldon concludes that "Major was neither non-entity nor failure. But we are very hopeful and the treatment is being undertaken with the aim to cure. Norma Christina Elizabeth Wagstaff is the daughter of Norman Reuel Wagstaff, a Lieutenant in the Royal Artillery, and Edith Georgina Wagstaff (ne Johnson), [1] a former umbrella saleswoman. [282][283] Nevertheless, in 2013 Major expressed his concern at the seeming decline in social mobility in Britain: "In every single sphere of British influence, the upper echelons of power in 2013 are held overwhelmingly by the privately educated or the affluent middle class. [277] He told BBC News that he and Lamont had been the victims of "whispering voices" to the press. His task became even more difficult after the election of the modernist and highly media-savvy Tony Blair as Labour leader in July 1994, who mercilessly exploited Conservative divisions whilst shifting Labour to the centre, thus making it much more electable. GRO Register of Births: JUN 1905 7a 741 Gainsborough Gwendoline Minnie Coates, mmn = unknown. In spite of this, conflict raged within the parliamentary Conservative Party, particularly over the extent of Britain's integration with the European Union. Major never succeeded in reconciling the "Euro-rebels" among his MPs to his European policy, who although relatively few in number, wielded great influence because of his small majority and their wider following among Conservative activists and voters. "[323], The media (particularly The Guardian cartoonist Steve Bell) used the allegation by Alastair Campbell that he had observed Major tucking his shirt into his underpants to caricature him wearing his pants outside his trousers,[324] as a pale grey echo of both Superman and Supermac, a parody of Harold Macmillan. [211] The high interest rates led to more saving, less spending and less investment in the UK's sectors. His wife, former game show hostess Emma Noble, 30, rushed him to hospital with a severe headache and high temperature. Drinking, smoking or eating comfort food with a partner improves your relationship but can be detrimental to Do not sell or share my personal information. [196][197] Following discussions with her cabinet, in which many stated that though supporting her they doubted she could win, Thatcher withdrew from the contest and announced that she would resign as prime minister once a new leader had been elected. [6] [213] Additionally, inflation was in double digits and interest rates reached 15%. [276] Major denied doing so, saying that he had not heard of the request until the scheduled release date and had merely asked to look at the papers himself. News Photo - Getty Images Editorial Images Images Creative Editorial Video Creative Editorial Elizabeth Major & fiance Luke RESTRICTED ASSET Sorry, we are not able to license media #830117554 due to country, company and/or publication restrictions. 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. Redefining the workforce: what jobs are AI likely to replace first? [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]. [306] Others remain unconvinced however and, writing in 2011, the BBC's Home editor Mark Easton judged that "Majorism" had made little lasting impact. Major's term ended with his resignation on 2 May 1997. Neil Kinnock was replaced by John Smith as Labour leader and Leader of the Opposition in 1992. Tom Major had planned to move the family to. [235] Jonathan Djanogly took over as MP for Huntingdon, retaining the seat for the Conservatives at the 2001 election. [333] The incident prompted Cabinet Secretary Robin Butler to warn Channel 4 head Michael Grade against any further calls for fear that state secrets could be inadvertently leaked. [358] After leaving office Major became aware that his father fathered two half-siblings extramaritally: Tom Moss and Kathleen Lemmon. BUY TWO IMAGES, GET THE LOWEST PRICE IMAGE HALF PRICE WITH CODE: 50%OFFNEXTIMAGE. He previously held Cabinet positions under prime minister Margaret Thatcher, lastly as Chancellor of the Exchequer from 1989 to 1990. Private Eye parodied Sue Townsend's The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole, age 13 to run a regular column The Secret Diary of John Major, age 47, in which Major was portrayed as nave and childish, keeping lists of his enemies in a Rymans Notebook called his "Bastards Book", and featuring "my wife Norman" and "Mr Dr Mawhinney" as recurring characters. He formed a temporary Shadow Cabinet, and Major himself served as shadow foreign secretary and Shadow Secretary of State for Defence. Mary Major (Little) (1650 - 1721) - Genealogy Elizabeth Majors (1682 - 1739) - Genealogy [212] By December 1991, unemployment was at 2.5 million (compared to 1.6 million 18 months earlier). Major left the committee in 2011, citing concerns with the planned redevelopment of Lord's Cricket Ground. [298] Whilst few observers doubted that Major was an honest and decent man, or that he made sincere and sometimes successful attempts to improve life in Britain and to unite his deeply divided party, he was also perceived as a weak and ineffectual figure, and his approval ratings for most of his time in office were low, particularly after "Black Wednesday" in September 1992 which destroyed the Conservative's reputation for effective economic management. . He said that he wanted a "firebreak from politics" and to focus on writing and his business, sporting and charity work. [257] They also own a flat in London and a holiday home on the Norfolk coast at Weybourne, which they have in the past invited ex-soldiers to use for free as part of the Afghan Heroes charity. Following Thatcher's resignation in 1990, after a challenge was launched to her leadership, Major stood in the 1990 Conservative Party leadership election to replace her and emerged victorious, becoming prime minister. [356][357] John's sister Patricia Dessoy kept a much lower profile; she died in 2017. Major's daughter loses husband to cancer - The Times A spokesperson for Major said "his political career is behind him". [224] Following a string of by-election defeats, the Conservatives' majority of 21 had been eroded by 13 December 1996.[225]. "[338], Major has been depicted on screen by Keith Drinkel in Thatcher: The Final Days (1991),[339] Michael Maloney in Margaret (2009),[340] Robin Kermode in The Iron Lady (2011),[340] Marc Ozall in the TV series The Crown, Gordon Griffin in Westminster on Trial and Roger Sansom in On the Record. [148][138], Major's last major summit as Foreign Secretary was the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Malaysia. 2023 Getty Images. Martha Marable (1760 - 1818) - Genealogy 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. [37][38] Eventually in December 1962 he found a job working at the London Electricity Board (LEB) in Elephant and Castle. ", "Honest John gives it to us straight stale buns and all", "Over the top? [104][105] Major narrowly avoided the IRA's Brighton hotel bombing in October 1984, having left the hotel only a few hours before the bomb went off. [318] Major's appearance was noted for its greyness, his prodigious philtrum, and large glasses, all of which were exaggerated in caricatures. He has suffered hair loss as a side-effect of the intensive chemotherapy he has had to try to shrink the tumour. Thanks to a genealogist, and a merchant seaman from Boston, Lincs, we can reveal that Mr Major and Baroness Thatcher are fifth cousins (once removed). John Major Biography - Facts, Childhood, Family Life, Achievements All that Elizabeth and both families wish for is that they be given peace and privacy during this desperately sad time. [209] By the time of Major's appointment, Labour's lead had shrunk to 14%. [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. Major supported a second referendum over Brexit, stating that the leave campaign put out a "fantasy case" during the referendum campaign, adding that to describe a second vote as undemocratic was "a rather curious proposition" and that he could see no "intellectual argument" against redoing the ballot. [195][194] Both John Major and Foreign Secretary Douglas Hurd supported Thatcher in the first round. Boards are the best place to save images and video clips. Since leaving office, Major has tended to maintain a low profile in the media, occasionally making political interventions. [248][273] Major was also a Director with the Ditchley Foundation from 2000 to 2009,[259][274] and a President of the influential centre-right think tank the Bow Group from 2012 to 2014. Elizabeth Major, daughter of former Prime Minister John Major, with her fiance Luke Salter at her family home near Huntingdon, where they formerly announced their engagement. [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. Chief Secretary to the Treasury (19871989). He has an inch-long scar on his scalp where tissue was taken for a biopsy. [28][29] Major has attributed his political ambitions to this event. Streamline your workflow with our best-in-class digital asset management system. Elizabeth Major, daughter of former Prime Minister John Major, with her fiance Luke Salter at her family home near Huntingdon, where they formerly announced their engagement. John Major - Wikipedia Mr Major shouted to the crowd: "It is a wonderful day and we are very happy.". [110][111] Major began to gain a bigger profile, giving his first speech at the Conservative Party Conference in October 1986. Artane Industrial School. He was elected to Lambeth London Borough Council in 1968, and a decade later to parliament, being elected as the Conservative MP for Huntingdonshire, later Huntingdon, in the 1979 general election. [388][389], A large bust of John Major by Shenda Amery in Huntingdon Library was unveiled by his wife Norma in 1993. Death: August 07, 1739 (57) Newbury, Essex, Massachusetts, United States. Mr Salter said he was 'upbeat' about his chances of beating the killer disease - but that the rarity of his tumour made it impossible to say what his chances of a full recovery were. Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1990 to 1997, Major's comments on the 25th Anniversary of the. Sponsored A spokesman. [168] More successfully, Major managed to get the new European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) located in London. [238] In 1999 he published his autobiography, covering his early life and time in office, which was generally well received. BBC News | UK | John Major's daughter weds [209] However, by 1991, the Conservatives had narrowly retaken Labour in the polls.[210]. After Blair succeeded Major as prime minister, Major served as Leader of the Opposition for seven weeks while the leadership election to replace him took place. Major also abolished the composite rate tax and stamp duty on share trades, whilst increasing taxes on alcohol, cigarettes and petrol. It is believed the newly-weds agreed exclusive rights to film inside the church and reception with Hello! Major daughter to marry - The Irish Times [223] Some polling at the end of 1994 and the start of 1995 had Labour with a vote share of over 60%. [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. You can only use this image in editorial media and for personal use. Millions of high-quality images, video, and music options await you. [382], An oil painting of Major, painted in 1996 by June Mendoza, is part of the Parliamentary collection,[383][384] as is a bronze bust by Anne Curry, unveiled in the Members' Lobby on 16 October 2017. Norma Major Wiki - everipedia.org [297] Ongoing 'sleaze'-related scandals among leading Conservative MPs also did Major and his government no favours, decreasing support for the party amongst the public. [290] In the 2019 general election Major urged voters to vote tactically against candidates supporting Boris Johnson when those candidates wanted a hard Brexit. He wrote that "during my premiership interest rates fell from 14% to 6%; unemployment was at 1.75million when I took office, and at 1.6million and falling upon my departure; and the government's annual borrowing rose from 0.5billion to nearly 46billion at its peak before falling to 1billion". Major was later to learn that the flat was in fact owned by his half-brother Tom Moss. Sir John Major KG CH (born 29 March 1943) is a British former politician who served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from November 1990 to May 1997 and Leader of the Conservative Party from November 1990 to June 1997. 'She thought she was getting a colour TV for Christmas.'. [280], He was touted as a possible Conservative candidate for the Mayor of London elections in 2008, but turned down an offer from the Leader of the Conservatives at the time, David Cameron. his home, a converted water tower in the Leicestershire village of Somerby, near Melton Mowbray, he said of his illness: 'It's extremely rare, and usually associated with children not adults. [42][38] He also assisted local Conservative candidates Kenneth Payne in the 1964 general election and Piers Dixon in the 1966 general election. Luke Salter, 29, a newly qualified doctor, married the former Prime Minister's daughter Elizabeth, 30, two years ago. "[314] Noted political historian Dick Leonard, however, writing in 2004, was more harsh in his assessment, concluding that Major was "A man of evident decent instincts, but limited abilities: as Prime Minister he pushed these abilities to the limit. Every time he gets up now I keep thinking, 'What on earth is Councillor Major doing?' Elizabeth Cooper McGillis 96 episodes, 1989-1993 Matt Mulhern . [131] Nevertheless, Major's appointment to Foreign Secretary in July 1989 came as a surprise due to his relative lack of experience in the Cabinet and unfamiliarity with international affairs. [145][146] Major also met US president George H. W. Bush in Washington, D.C.[147] and Domingo Cavallo, the Argentine foreign minister, the first such meeting since the end of the Falklands War seven years earlier. [330][326] The magazine still runs one-off specials of this diary (with the age updated) on occasions when Major is in the news, such as on the breaking of the Edwina Currie story or the publication of his autobiography. [102][103] It was later revealed (in 2002) that during this period Major had conducted an affair with Edwina Currie, a Conservative backbencher and later Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Health and Social Security; the affair ended in 1988. [90] At this time Major lived in De Vere Close, Hemingford Grey. [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]. [286][287], Major was a vocal supporter for the Remain campaign in the 2016 referendum on British membership of the European Union. It was replaced with the physical Euro currency in 1999. [100] Major was invited to join the prestigious 'Blue Chip' group of rising stars in the Conservative Party,[101] and he was promoted to Treasury Whip in October 1984. 'Elizabeth and I and the families are very upbeat about it and believe I will beat it. The Getty Images design is a trademark of Getty Images. [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'. The veterinary nurse wed medical student Luke Salter, 28, at All Saints' Church at Somerby in Rutland. Immediate Family: Daughter of George Majors and Susanna Pray. The European Currency Unit was a notional unit of account based on a weighted 'basket' of major European currencies. We have noticed that there is an issue with your subscription billing details. Organise, control, distribute, and measure all of your digital content. [92][93], Major later became an assistant whip in January 1983, responsible for East Anglian MPs. He needed emergency surgery to remove his appendix, but has fully recovered. He was succeeded as prime minister by Blair. They were married at the parish church, All Saints, in Somerby in March 2000. [297] Episodes such as the Maastricht Rebellion, led by Bill Cash and Margaret Thatcher, inflicted serious political damage on him and his government. Acutely conscious of his straitened circumstances in relation to the other pupils, Major was something of a loner and consistently under-performed except in sports, coming to see the school as "a penance to be endured". "[38] Major later moved in with Kierans when his family left Burton Road in 1965;[44][43] their relationship lasted from 1963 to sometime after 1968. He inherited a majority government from Margaret Thatcher who had been the prime minister for the previous eleven years. ", "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? Elizabeth Major, daughter of former Prime Minister John Major, with [359][360][361], Research conducted by Paul Penn-Simkins, a genealogist formerly employed as a researcher at the College of Arms and as a heraldic consultant at Christie's, and subsequently corroborated by Lynda Rippin, a genealogist employed by Lincolnshire Council, showed that John Major and Margaret Thatcher were fifth cousins once removed, both descending from the Crust family, who farmed at Leake, near Boston, Lincolnshire. [344], Major married Norma Johnson (now Dame Norma Major) on 3 October 1970 at St Matthew's Church, Brixton. Managed by: Private User. In the 1997 election on 1 May 1997, Labour won a 179-seat majority, ending their eighteen years in opposition. 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. [48][49] Leaving hospital, he split his time between Jean Kierans' house and a small rented flat in Mayfair, working at Standard Bank's London office and resuming his banking diploma and activities with the Young Conservatives in his spare time. The Conservatives were defeated in the 1997 general election, resulting in a Labour government ending 18 years of Conservative rule. Elisabeth: Mother of John the Baptist - The Church of Jesus Christ of The couple have yet to set a date for their wedding, but Elizabeth (27) said it was "very unlikely" to be before brother James (24) weds TV game-show hostess Emma Noble. [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. Throughout his time in office Major was often acutely sensitive to criticism of him in the press; his biographer Anthony Seldon posits this to an inner vulnerability stemming from his difficult childhood and adolescence. John also had two other half-siblings from his father's affairs which he was not to learn of until much later. 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. His resignation as Conservative leader formally took effect in June 1997 after the election of William Hague. [70] They continue to live at their constituency home, Finings, in Great Stukeley, Huntingdonshire. "[312] Seldon reiterated these views in his contribution to the 2017 volume John Major: An Unsuccessful Prime Minister? [371][372] Major is a Christian, though his upbringing was never especially religious and he states that he is "a believer at a distance". [39][40] Encouraged by fellow Conservative Derek Stone, he started giving speeches on a soap-box in Brixton Market. Download content on demand when you need it. [59][60] Despite the Lambeth housing team being well-regarded nationally, Major lost his seat in the 1971 Lambeth London Borough Council election. Major Dad (TV Series 1989-1993) - Full Cast & Crew - IMDb The journalist Peter Oborne was one such figure, though writing in 2017 he stated that he now regrets his negative reporting, stating that he himself and the press in general were "grossly unfair to Major" and that this was motivated at least in part by snobbery at Major's humble upbringing. [255][256][257] He stood down from the Group circa 200405. [379][380], On 8 May 2012, Major was personally decorated at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo by the Emperor of Japan with the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun in recognition of his invaluable contributions to JapanUK relations through his work in the political and economic arena, and also in promoting mutual understanding. [319] After leaving office, Major stated that "Perhaps up to a point I was too sensitive about some of the things in the press, Im happy to concede that. [345][62][63] She was a teacher and a member of the Young Conservatives. [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". [309] He also notes that Major's unexpected 1992 election victory effectively sealed in the Thatcher-era reforms and forced the Labour Party to ditch most of its more socialist-tinged policies, thereby permanently shifting the British political landscape to the centre ground.