John Major

Sir John Major KG CH (born 29 March 1943) is a British politician who was Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and Leader of the Conservative Party from 1990 to 1997. He served as a member of the Cabinet under Margaret Thatcher as Chief Secretary to the Treasury (1987–1989), Foreign Secretary (1989) and Chancellor of the Exchequer (1989–1990).

The Right Honourable Sir John Major KG CH
John Major in 1993
Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
In office 28 November 1990 – 2 May 1997
Monarch	Elizabeth II
Deputy	Michael Heseltine (1995–97)
Preceded by	Margaret Thatcher
Succeeded by	Tony Blair
Leader of the Opposition
In office 2 May 1997 – 19 June 1997
Monarch	Elizabeth II
Prime Minister	Tony Blair
Deputy	Michael Heseltine
Preceded by	Tony Blair
Succeeded by	William Hague
Leader of the Conservative Party
In office 27 November 1990 – 19 June 1997
Deputy	Viscount Whitelaw (1990–91)
Preceded by	Margaret Thatcher
Succeeded by	William Hague
Ministerial offices Chancellor of the Exchequer In office 26 October 1989 – 28 November 1990 Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher Preceded by Nigel Lawson Succeeded by Norman Lamont Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs In office 24 July 1989 – 26 October 1989 Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher Preceded by Sir Geoffrey Howe Succeeded by Douglas Hurd Chief Secretary to the Treasury In office 13 June 1987 – 24 July 1989 Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher Preceded by John MacGregor Succeeded by Norman Lamont Minister of State for Social Security In office 10 September 1986 – 13 June 1987 Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher Preceded by Tony Newton Succeeded by Nicholas Scott Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Social Security In office 2 September 1985 – 10 September 1986 Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher Preceded by John Patten Succeeded by Nicholas Lyell Lord Commissioner of the Treasury In office 3 October 1984 – 1 November 1985 Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher Preceded by Alastair Goodlad Succeeded by Tim Sainsbury
Member of Parliament for Huntingdon (Huntingdonshire, 1979–1983)
In office 3 May 1979 – 14 May 2001
Preceded by	David Renton
Succeeded by	Jonathan Djanogly
Personal details
Born	(1943-03-29) 29 March 1943 (age 82) Carshalton, Surrey, England
Political party	Conservative
Spouse(s)	Norma Johnson ​ (m. 1970)​
Children	2
Parents	Tom Major-Ball (father)
Relatives	Terry Major-Ball (brother)
Education	Rutlish School
Website	Official website

Early life and career

Major was born at St Helier Hospital and Queen Mary's Hospital for Children in St Helier, London, in England and left school at the age of 16.^[1][2] He became a Conservative councillor in 1968. At the 1979 general election, Major was elected Member of Parliament (MP) for Huntingdonshire (Huntingdon after 1983).

Prime Minister

After holding several cabinet positions, Major was elected to replace Margaret Thatcher as Prime Minister and party leader.^[3] On taking office, he saw British action in the Gulf War (1991) and his party's narrow re-election in the 1992 general election.

After this, the Conservatives under Major became unpopular because of the "Black Wednesday" stock market crash in late 1992 and how they became divided over the issue of European Union. Beaten at the 1997 general election, Major stood down as Prime Minister for Tony Blair of the Labour Party, and was replaced as Conservative leader by William Hague. He stood down as an MP at the 2001 general election.

Personal life

Major married Norma Johnson (now (Dame) Norma Major DBE) on 3 October 1970. She was a teacher, and a member of the Young Conservatives. They became engaged after only ten days.^[4] They have two children; a son, James, and a daughter, Elizabeth. They have a holiday home on the coast of north Norfolk, near Weybourne.^[5]

He is a keen follower of cricket, motor racing, and also a supporter of Chelsea Football Club.^[6][7]

Major has so far declined a life peerage on standing down from Parliament.^[8]