Sir John Major

Sir John Major is a British politician who served as the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1990 to 1997. He was born on March 29, 1943, in Carshalton, Surrey, England, and grew up in a working-class family. His father was a trapeze artist in a circus, and his mother worked as a seamstress.

Major’s political career began in 1979 when he was elected to the House of Commons as the Member of Parliament for Huntingdonshire. He quickly rose through the ranks of the Conservative Party and was appointed Chief Secretary to the Treasury in 1987. In 1989, he became Foreign Secretary under Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher.

When Thatcher resigned in 1990, Major was elected as the new leader of the Conservative Party and, therefore, became the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. His time in office was marked by a number of significant events, including the Gulf War, the introduction of the National Lottery, and the signing of the Maastricht Treaty, which created the European Union.

Major’s leadership style was seen as more collaborative and consensual than Thatcher’s, and he sought to build a “classless society” and reduce social inequality. He introduced a number of social policies aimed at improving education, healthcare, and social welfare, including the establishment of a minimum wage.

Despite his efforts, Major’s premiership was marred by a number of scandals and controversies, including a scandal involving his cabinet minister Jonathan Aitken, and allegations of corruption and sleaze within the Conservative Party.

In 1997, the Conservative Party was defeated in a landslide election by the Labour Party under the leadership of Tony Blair. Major resigned as Prime Minister and was succeeded by Blair.

After leaving office, Major continued to be active in public life, campaigning for a number of causes, including social mobility and mental health awareness. In 2005, he was appointed as a Companion of Honour, one of the highest honors in the UK.

Today, Major is regarded as a respected elder statesman within the Conservative Party and is seen as a voice of reason and moderation. Despite the controversies of his time in office, his commitment to social justice and his efforts to build a more inclusive society continue to be remembered and admired.