Second Thatcher ministry


was Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 4 May 1979 to 28 November 1990, during which time she led a Conservative majority government. She was the first woman to hold that office. During her premiership, Thatcher moved to liberalise the British economy through deregulation, privatisation, and the promotion of entrepreneurialism.
This article details the second government Thatcher led at the invitation of Queen Elizabeth II from 1983 to 1987.

Formation

The Conservative government was re-elected in June 1983 with a majority of 144 seats, with Labour in opposition having a mere 209 seats after its worst postwar electoral performance, seeing off a close challenge from the SDP–Liberal Alliance who came close to them on votes though not with seats.
With inflation firmly under control and union reforms contributing towards the lowest level of strikes since the early 1950s, the Tories were now faced with the challenge of reducing unemployment from a record high of 3,200,000.
March 1984 saw the beginning of a miners' strike which would last for 12 months and divide the country as Mrs Thatcher announced extensive pit closures which would ultimately cost thousands of miners their jobs as well, while the remaining pits were set to be privatised in the proposed sell-off of the National Coal Board. Privatisation of utilities and heavy industry was becoming a key symbol of Thatcherism, with the likes of British Telecom also transferring from public to private ownership.
Michael Foot had stepped down as Labour leader after the 1983 general election. The man elected by Labour with the task of getting them back into government was Neil Kinnock. He proved himself as a fierce rival to Thatcher, and more than once during the 1983–87 parliament, the opinion polls showed Labour in the lead, although a huge swing was required at a general election if the Conservative government was to be ousted.
The challenge from the SDP–Liberal Alliance was becoming weaker, despite their brief lead of the opinion polls during 1985.
However, economic growth following recession had been re-established by the beginning of this parliament and by 1987 the economy was well on the road to recovery. However, unemployment which had peaked at nearly 3,300,000 during 1984 was barely above 3,000,000 by the turn of 1987, and with the opinion polls all showing a Tory lead, it was anticipated that Thatcher would call the next general election earlier than the deadline of June 1988.

Fate

A general election was called for 11 June 1987, and the Tories triumphed for the third election in succession. Labour, on the other hand, achieved a better election result than it had the previous time, with more than 30% of the vote, while the SDP–Liberal Alliance floundered and was soon disbanded as the Social Democratic Party and Liberal Party merged to form the Social and Liberal Democrats.

Cabinet

June 1983 to June 1987


Members of the Cabinet are in bold face.
OfficeNameDatesNotes
Prime Minister,
First Lord of the Treasury
and Minister for the Civil Service
Margaret ThatcherJune 1983
Lord ChancellorThe Lord Hailsham of St MaryleboneJune 1983
Lord President of the Council
and Leader of the House of Lords
The Viscount Whitelaw11 June 1983also Deputy Leader of the Conservative Party
Minister of State for the Privy Council OfficeThe Earl of Gowrie11 June 1983 – 11 September 1984
Minister of State for the Privy Council OfficeRichard Luce2 September 1985 – June 1987
Lord Privy Seal
and Leader of the House of Commons
John Biffen11 June 1983
Chancellor of the ExchequerNigel Lawson11 June 1983
Chief Secretary to the TreasuryPeter Rees11 June 1983
Chief Secretary to the TreasuryJohn MacGregor2 September 1985
Minister of State, TreasuryBarney HayhoeJune 1983 – 2 September 1985
Minister of State, TreasuryIan Gow2 September 1985 – 19 November 1985
Minister of State, TreasuryHon. Peter Brooke19 November 1985 – 13 June 1987
Parliamentary Secretary to the TreasuryJohn Wakeham11 June 1983
Financial Secretary to the TreasuryHon. Nicholas Ridley13 June 1983
Financial Secretary to the TreasuryJohn Moore18 October 1983
Financial Secretary to the TreasuryNorman Lamont21 May 1986
Economic Secretary to the TreasuryJohn Moore13 June 1983
Economic Secretary to the TreasuryIan Stewart19 October 1983
Lords of the TreasuryAlastair GoodladJune 1983 – 10 September 1984
Lords of the TreasuryDonald ThompsonJune 1983 – 10 September 1986
Lords of the TreasuryDavid HuntJune 1983 – 10 September 1984
Lords of the TreasuryIan Lang11 June 1983 – 1 February 1986
Lords of the TreasuryTristan Garel-Jones11 June 1983 – 16 October 1986
Lords of the TreasuryJohn Major3 October 1984 – 1 November 1985
Lords of the TreasuryHon. Archie Hamilton3 October 1984 – 10 September 1986
Lords of the TreasuryHon. Tim Sainsbury7 October 1985 – 23 June 1987
Lords of the TreasuryMichael Neubert10 February 1986 – June 1987
Lords of the TreasuryPeter Lloyd16 October 1986 – June 1987
Lords of the TreasuryHon. Mark Lennox-Boyd16 October 1986 – June 1987
Lords of the TreasuryTony Durant16 October 1986 – June 1987
Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth AffairsSir Geoffrey Howe11 June 1983
Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth AffairsTimothy RaisonJune 1983 – 10 September 1986also Minister of Overseas Development
Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth AffairsRichard Luce11 June 1983 – 2 September 1985
Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth AffairsMalcolm Rifkind13 June 1983 – 11 January 1986
Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth AffairsThe Baroness Young13 June 1983 – 13 June 1987
Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth AffairsTim Renton2 September 1985 – 13 June 1987
Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth AffairsLynda Chalker11 January 1986 – June 1987
Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth AffairsChris Patten10 September 1986 – June 1987
Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth AffairsRay Whitney13 June 1983
Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth AffairsTim Renton11 September 1984
Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth AffairsTimothy Eggar2 September 1985
Minister for Overseas DevelopmentTimothy RaisonJune 1983
Minister for Overseas DevelopmentChris Patten10 September 1986also Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs
Secretary of State for the Home DepartmentLeon Brittan11 June 1983
Secretary of State for the Home DepartmentHon. Douglas Hurd2 September 1985
Minister of State for Home AffairsDavid WaddingtonJune 1983 – 13 June 1987
Minister of State for Home AffairsThe Lord Elton11 September 1984 – 25 March 1985
Minister of State for Home AffairsGiles Shaw11 September 1984 – 10 September 1986
Minister of State for Home AffairsDavid Mellor10 September 1986 – 13 June 1987
Minister of State for Home AffairsThe Earl of Caithness10 September 1986 – June 1987
Under-Secretary of State for Home AffairsThe Lord EltonJune 1983 – 11 September 1984
Under-Secretary of State for Home AffairsDavid MellorJune 1983 – 10 September 1986
Under-Secretary of State for Home AffairsThe Lord Glenarthur27 March 1984 – 10 September 1986
Under-Secretary of State for Home AffairsHon. Douglas Hogg10 September 1986 – June 1987
Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and FoodMichael Jopling11 June 1983
Minister of State for Agriculture, Fisheries and FoodJohn MacGregor13 June 1983 – 2 September 1985
Minister of State for Agriculture, Fisheries and FoodThe Lord Belstead13 June 1983 – 13 June 1987
Minister of State for Agriculture, Fisheries and FoodJohn Gummer2 September 1985 – June 1987
Under-Secretary of State for Agriculture, Fisheries and FoodPeggy FennerJune 1983 – 10 September 1986
Under-Secretary of State for Agriculture, Fisheries and FoodDonald Thompson10 September 1986 – June 1987
Minister for the ArtsThe Earl of Gowrie13 June 1983
Minister for the ArtsRichard Luce2 September 1985
Secretary of State for DefenceMichael HeseltineJune 1983
Secretary of State for DefenceHon. George Younger9 January 1986
Minister of State for the Armed ForcesJohn Stanley13 June 1983
Minister of State for Defence ProcurementGeoffrey Pattie13 June 1983
Minister of State for Defence ProcurementHon. Adam Butler11 September 1984
Minister of State for Defence ProcurementNorman Lamont2 September 1985
Minister of State for Defence ProcurementThe Lord Trefgarne21 May 1986
Minister of State for Defence SupportThe Lord Trefgarne2 September 1985 – 21 May 1986
Under-Secretary of State for the Armed ForcesThe Lord Trefgarne13 June 1983 – 1 September 1985
Under-Secretary of State for the Armed ForcesRoger Freeman21 May 1986 – June 1987
Under-Secretary of State for Defence ProcurementIan StewartJune 1983 – 18 October 1983
Under-Secretary of State for Defence ProcurementJohn Lee18 October 1983 – 10 September 1986
Under-Secretary of State for Defence ProcurementHon. Archie Hamilton10 September 1986 – 13 June 1987
Secretary of State for Education and ScienceSir Keith Joseph, BtJune 1983
Secretary of State for Education and ScienceKenneth Baker21 May 1986
Minister of State, Education and ScienceChris Patten5 September 1985 – 10 September 1986
Minister of State, Education and ScienceAngela Rumbold10 September 1986 – June 1987
Under-Secretary of State, Education and ScienceHon. Peter Brooke13 June 1983 – 19 November 1985
Under-Secretary of State, Education and ScienceBob Dunn13 June 1983 – June 1987
Under-Secretary of State, Education and ScienceGeorge Walden19 November 1985 – 13 June 1987
Secretary of State for EmploymentNorman TebbitJune 1983
Secretary of State for EmploymentTom King16 October 1983
Secretary of State for EmploymentThe Lord Young of Graffham2 September 1985
Minister of State, EmploymentHon. Peter Morrison13 June 1983 – 2 September 1985
Minister of State, EmploymentJohn Gummer18 October 1985 – 11 September ?
Minister of State, EmploymentKenneth Clarke2 September 1985 – 13 June 1987Also Paymaster-General
Under-Secretary of State, EmploymentJohn GummerJune 1983 – 18 October 1983
Under-Secretary of State, EmploymentAlan Clark13 June 1983 – 24 January 1986
Under-Secretary of State, EmploymentPeter Bottomley11 September 1984 – 23 January 1986
Under-Secretary of State, EmploymentDavid Trippier2 September 1985 – 13 June 1987
Under-Secretary of State, EmploymentIan Lang31 January 1986 – 10 September 1986
Under-Secretary of State, EmploymentJohn Lee10 September 1986 – June 1987
Secretary of State for EnergyPeter Walker11 June 1983
Minister of State, EnergyAlick Buchanan-Smith13 June 1983
Under-Secretary of State, EnergyThe Earl of AvonJune 1983 – 11 September 1984
Under-Secretary of State, EnergyGiles Shaw13 June 1983 – 11 September 1984
Under-Secretary of State, EnergyDavid Hunt11 September 1984 – 13 June 1987
Under-Secretary of State, EnergyAlastair Goodlad11 September 1984 – 13 June 1987
Secretary of State for the EnvironmentPatrick Jenkin11 June 1983
Secretary of State for the EnvironmentKenneth Baker23 September 1985
Secretary of State for the EnvironmentHon. Nicholas Ridley21 May 1986
Minister of State for Local GovernmentThe Lord BellwinJune 1983
Minister of State for Local GovernmentKenneth Baker11 September 1984
Minister of State for Local GovernmentHon. William Waldegrave2 September 1985
Minister of State for Local GovernmentRhodes Boyson10 September 1986
Minister of State for HousingIan Gow13 June 1983
Minister of State for HousingJohn Patten2 September 1985
Minister of State, EnvironmentThe Lord Elton27 March 1985 – 10 September 1986
Minister of State, EnvironmentHon. William Waldegrave10 September 1986 – 13 June 1987
Under-Secretary of State for SportNeil MacfarlaneJune 1983 – 2 September 1985
Under-Secretary of State for SportRichard Tracey7 September 1985 – 13 June 1987
Under-Secretary of State, EnvironmentSir George Young, BtJune 1981 – 10 September 1986
Under-Secretary of State, EnvironmentHon. William Waldegrave13 June 1983 – 2 September 1985
Under-Secretary of State, EnvironmentThe Earl of Avon11 September 1984 – 27 March 1985
Under-Secretary of State, EnvironmentAngela Rumbold2 September 1985 – 10 September 1986
Under-Secretary of State, EnvironmentThe Lord Skelmersdale10 September 1986 – 13 June 1987
Under-Secretary of State, EnvironmentChristopher Chope10 September 1986 – June 1987
Secretary of State for Social ServicesNorman FowlerJune 1983
Minister of State, HealthKenneth ClarkeJune 1983
Minister of State, HealthBarney Hayhoe2 September 1985
Minister of State, HealthTony Newton10 September 1986
Under-Secretary of State, Health and Social SecurityTony NewtonJune 1983 – 11 September 1984
Under-Secretary of State, Health and Social SecurityJohn Patten14 June 1983 – 2 September 1985
Under-Secretary of State, Health and Social SecurityThe Lord Glenarthur14 June 1983 – 26 March 1985
Under-Secretary of State, Health and Social SecurityRay Whitney11 September 1984 – 10 September 1986
Under-Secretary of State, Health and Social SecurityThe Baroness Trumpington30 March 1985 – 13 June 1987
Under-Secretary of State, Health and Social SecurityJohn Major2 September 1985 – 10 September 1986
Under-Secretary of State, Health and Social SecurityNicholas Lyell10 September 1986 – 13 June 1987
Under-Secretary of State, Health and Social SecurityEdwina Currie10 September 1986 – June 1987
Minister of State, Social SecurityRhodes Boyson12 June 1983 – 11 September 1984
Minister of State, Social SecurityTony Newton11 September 1984 – 10 September 1986
Minister of State, Social SecurityJohn Major10 September 1986 – 13 June 1987
Minister of State, Industry and Information TechnologyKenneth BakerJune 1983under Office of Trade and Industry from 12 June 1983
Minister of State, Industry and Information TechnologyGeoffrey Pattie11 September 1984Office abolished 13 June 1987
Chancellor of the Duchy of LancasterThe Lord Cockfield11 June 1983
Chancellor of the Duchy of LancasterThe Earl of Gowrie11 September 1984
Chancellor of the Duchy of LancasterNorman Tebbit3 September 1985
Secretary of State for Northern IrelandJames PriorJune 1983
Secretary of State for Northern IrelandHon. Douglas Hurd11 September 1984
Secretary of State for Northern IrelandTom King3 September 1985
Minister of State, Northern IrelandHon. Adam ButlerJune 1983 – 11 September 1984
Minister of State, Northern IrelandThe Earl of Mansfield13 June 1983 – 12 April 1984
Minister of State, Northern IrelandRhodes Boyson11 September 1984 – 10 September 1986
Minister of State, Northern IrelandNicholas Scott10 September 1986 – 13 June 1987
Under-Secretary of State, Northern IrelandNicholas ScottJune 1983 – 11 September 1986
Under-Secretary of State, Northern IrelandChris Patten14 June 1983 – 2 September 1985
Under-Secretary of State, Northern IrelandThe Lord Lyell12 April 1984 – June 1987
Under-Secretary of State, Northern IrelandRichard Needham3 September 1985 – June 1987
Under-Secretary of State, Northern IrelandPeter Viggers10 September 1986 – June 1987
Under-Secretary of State, Northern IrelandBrian Mawhinney10 September 1986 – June 1987
Paymaster-GeneralVacant11 June 1983
Paymaster-GeneralJohn Gummer11 September 1984
Paymaster-GeneralKenneth Clarke2 September 1985also Minister of State, Employment
Minister without PortfolioThe Lord Young of Graffham11 September 1984 – 3 September 1985
Secretary of State for ScotlandHon. George YoungerJune 1983
Secretary of State for ScotlandMalcolm Rifkind11 January 1986
Minister of State for ScotlandThe Lord Gray of Contin13 June 1983 – 11 September 1986
Minister of State for ScotlandThe Lord Glenarthur10 September 1986 – 13 June 1987
Under-Secretary of State for ScotlandAllan StewartJune 1983 – 10 September 1986
Under-Secretary of State for ScotlandJohn MacKayJune 1983 – 14 June 1987
Under-Secretary of State for ScotlandMichael Ancram13 June 1983 – 14 June 1987
Under-Secretary of State for ScotlandIan Lang10 September 1986 – 13 June 1987
Minister of State for TradePaul Channon13 June 1983under Office of Trade and Industry
Minister of State for TradeAlan Clark24 January 1986
Secretary of State for Trade and IndustryCecil Parkinson12 June 1983
Secretary of State for Trade and IndustryNorman Tebbit16 October 1983
Secretary of State for Trade and IndustryLeon Brittan2 September 1985
Secretary of State for Trade and IndustryPaul Channon24 January 1986
Minister of State for Trade and IndustryNorman Lamont13 June 1983 – 2 September 1985
Minister of State for Trade and IndustryHon. Peter Morrison2 September 1985 – 10 September 1986
Minister of State for Trade and IndustryGiles Shaw10 September 1986 – 13 June 1987
Under-Secretary of State for Trade and IndustryJohn Butcher14 June 1983 – June 1987
Under-Secretary of State for Trade and IndustryAlexander Fletcher14 June 1983 – 2 September 1985
Under-Secretary of State for Trade and IndustryDavid Trippier14 June 1983 – 2 September 1985
Under-Secretary of State for Trade and IndustryThe Lord Lucas of Chilworth11 September 1984 – 13 June 1987
Under-Secretary of State for Trade and IndustryMichael Howard2 September 1985 – 13 June 1987
Secretary of State for TransportTom King11 June 1983
Secretary of State for TransportHon. Nicholas Ridley16 October 1983
Secretary of State for TransportJohn Moore21 May 1986
Minister of State, TransportLynda Chalker18 October 1983 – 10 January 1986
Minister of State, TransportDavid Mitchell23 January 1986 – June 1987
Under-Secretary of State for TransportLynda ChalkerJune 1983 – 18 October 1983
Under-Secretary of State for TransportDavid Mitchell11 June 1983 – 23 January 1986
Under-Secretary of State for TransportMichael Spicer11 September 1984 – 13 June 1987
Under-Secretary of State for TransportThe Earl of Caithness2 September 1985 – 10 September 1986
Under-Secretary of State for TransportPeter Bottomley23 January 1986 – June 1987
Under-Secretary of State for TransportThe Lord Brabazon of Tara10 September 1986 – June 1987
Secretary of State for WalesNicholas EdwardsJune 1983
Minister of State for WalesJohn Stradling ThomasJune 1983 – 2 September 1985
Under-Secretary of State for WalesWyn RobertsJune 1983 – 13 June 1987
Under-Secretary of State for WalesMark Robinson3 October 1985 – 15 June 1987
Attorney GeneralMichael HaversJune 1983
Solicitor GeneralSir Patrick Mayhew13 June 1983
Lord AdvocateThe Lord Mackay of ClashfernJune 1983
Lord AdvocateThe Lord Cameron of Lochbroom16 May 1984
Solicitor General for ScotlandPeter FraserJune 1983
Treasurer of the HouseholdJohn Cope11 June 1983
Comptroller of the HouseholdCarol MatherJune 1983
Comptroller of the HouseholdHon. Robert Boscawen16 October 1986
Vice-Chamberlain of the HouseholdHon. Robert BoscawenJune 1983
Vice-Chamberlain of the HouseholdTristan Garel-Jones16 October 1986
Captain of the Gentlemen-at-ArmsThe Lord DenhamJune 1983
Captain of the Yeomen of the GuardThe Earl of SwintonJune 1983
Captain of the Yeomen of the GuardThe Viscount Davidson10 September 1986
Lords-in-WaitingThe Viscount LongJune 1983 – 2 May 1997
Lords-in-WaitingThe Lord LyellJune 1983 – 12 April 1984
Lords-in-WaitingThe Lord SkelmersdaleJune 1983 – 10 September 1986
Lords-in-WaitingThe Lord Lucas of ChilworthJune 1983 – 9 September 1984
Lords-in-WaitingThe Baroness Trumpington11 June 1983 – 25 March 1985
Lords-in-WaitingThe Earl of Caithness8 May 1984 – 2 September 1985
Lords-in-WaitingThe Lord Brabazon of Tara19 September 1984 – 10 September 1986
Lords-in-WaitingThe Baroness Cox3 April 1985 – 2 August 1985
Lords-in-WaitingThe Viscount Davidson17 September 1985 – 10 September 1986
Lords-in-WaitingThe Baroness Hooper17 September 1985 – 14 June 1987
Lords-in-WaitingThe Lord Hesketh10 September 1986 – 31 January 1987
Lords-in-WaitingThe Lord Beaverbrook10 September 1986 – June 1987
Lords-in-WaitingThe Earl of Dundee3 October 1986 – June 1987