John Major

• Info

  Conservative

  1990 - 1997

  Took over from Thatcher
• Policy Success

  Removed hated poll tax, replacing with council tax.

  Assisted in the removal of Saddam Hussein.

  Laid foundation of the GFA.

  Opted out of joining the Euro whilst staying in the EU.
• Policy Failure

  Black Wednesday - Persuaded Thatcher to join ERM, sliding the UK into depression.

  Rail privatisation, badly implemented, splitting between state and private.

  Citizens charter - Improved standards of gov, however no one cared as it was ill defined.

  Back to Basics - Promoted family values, riddled with sex scandals.
• Cabinet Management Success

  Calm and stable, compromising and patient.
• Cabinet Management Failure

  European division - Couldn't balance Euro Sceptics and Pros.

  Mostly finished other peoples work.

  Faced a leadership challenge in 1995.

  Sleaze and scandals - Called his Cabinet bastards, Back To Basics scandal.
• Public Perception Success

  Popular early policies - Gulf war, council tax.

  Seen as cooperative.
• Public Perception Failure

  Unknown initially - Little public knowledge.

  Widespread conservative division.

  Openly mocked in Parliament - Tony Blair 'I lead, he follows'.