Why did Thatcher Resign?

1. Why did Thatcher Resign?

2. MISCALCULATIONS • The Community Charge • Calling the Liberal Democrats a ‘dead parrot’ was ill advised!

3. EUROPEAN POLICIES • Mrs Thatcher was deeply unhappy about Britain joining the ERM (Exchange Rate Mechanism) on 8th October • Many Tories disagreed with her stance-she was in a tiny minority! • Thatcher continued to be outspoken-full monetary union (EMU) she said: ‘would be entering a federal Europe through the back-Delors’ • Mrs Thatcher’s views on Delors’ vision for a Federal Europe were made quite obvious in parliament when she famously said ‘No! No! No!’

4. BY ELECTION DEFEATS • 22nd March 1990-the Conservatives lost the Mid-Staffordshire by-election where they had previously enjoyed a 19,000 ,majority • 18th October 1990-the Conservatives lost the Eastbourne seat to the Liberal Democrats, with a wing of over 20% • Thatcher had called the Liberal Democrats ‘a dead parrot’ six days earlier • 8th November by election defeats in Bradford North and Bootle

5. GEOFFREY HOWE • Geoffrey Howe resigned from the government on 1st November 1990 • He disagreed with Thatcher’s stance over Europe • Howe was not the most charismatic figure but he had been a principled architect of Thatcherism, a former Chancellor of the Exchequer and Foreign Secretary • Coming only one year after Nigel Lawson’s resignation, Howe’s departure made even loyal Tories feel that perhaps Thatcher should go. • Howe made a speech in parliament that Thatcher never forgave him for. Howe told a husehed House of Commons that he could no longer serve such a leader, while it was up to others to consider their ‘own response.’

6. HESELTINE • Heseltine had a clear ambition to be leader • After Howe’s speech he formally announced he would challenge for leadership of the party.

7. Community Charge and Poll Tax Riots • The introduction of the Community Charge has been seen as ‘the final straw’. • The idea Thatcher still needed ‘dragons to sleigh’

8. LOSS OF COLLEAGUES • Lawson resigned • Howe resigns and makes especially damaging speech • Nicholas Ridley left the government-she had lost a personal friend in the Cabinet

9. LEADERSHIP CHALLENGES • Heseltine challenged Thatcher for leadership of the party • Thatcher was supported by Douglas Hurd and John Major out of loyalty although both men had their own leadership ambitions. Her Parliamentary Private Secretary, Peter Morrison, organised her campaign. • Alan Clark called him ‘useless’ • Morris miscalculated massively

10. WHAT HAPPENED? • 18th November-Thatcher flies to Paris for a security conference • Many papers said Heseltine deserved to win • Leaving London was a serious error really • Polling day, 20th November 1990 arrived with Mrs Thatcher still in Paris. The ballot was conducted by the 1922 Committee

11. THE RESULT • Thatcher (204 votes); Heseltine (152) • Thatcher had won but her margin of victory fell four votes short • There had to be a second ballot • Thatcher was not prepared to stand down

12. Europe By-election Defeats Miscalculations Howe/Heseltine Leadership challenges The Downfall of Margaret Thatcher The Community Charge and Poll Tax Riots Resignation of colleagues

13. Margaret (Miscalculations) • Resigned (Resignation of colleagues) • Because (By-election defeats) • Her (Howe/Heseltine) • Leadership (Leadership challenge) • Changed (Colleagues) • Everything (Europe)