See main article: List of ministers under Margaret Thatcher.
| Incumbent: | 1987–1990 |
| Government Head Title: | Prime Minister |
| Government Head: | Margaret Thatcher |
| Government Head History: | 1979–1990 |
| Deputy Government Head: | Sir Geoffrey Howe (1989–1990) |
| State Head Title: | Monarch |
| State Head: | Elizabeth II |
| Total Number: | 245 appointments |
| Legislature Term: | 50th UK Parliament |
| Political Party: | Conservative Party |
| Election: | 1987 general election |
| Opposition Cabinet: | Kinnock Shadow Cabinet |
| Opposition Party: | Labour Party |
| Opposition Leader: | Neil Kinnock |
| Previous: | Second Thatcher ministry |
| Successor: | First Major ministry |
| Jurisdiction: | United Kingdom |
Margaret Thatcher 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 third Thatcher ministry which she led at the invitation of Queen Elizabeth II from 1987 to 1990.
The Conservatives were elected for a third successive term in June 1987, with a majority of 102 seats. It enabled Margaret Thatcher to become the longest-serving prime minister of the 20th century, as Britain's economic recovery continued.
Then, on 1 November 1990, came the first of a series of events which would spell the end of Margaret Thatcher's years in power. Sir Geoffrey Howe, the Deputy Prime Minister, long resentful of being ousted as Foreign Secretary, resigned from the cabinet over its European policy. Soon afterward, in his resignation speech in the House of Commons, he publicly denounced Thatcher, having once been one of her closest allies, personally and for her hostility towards the programmes of the European Community. On 14 November, former cabinet minister Michael Heseltine challenged Thatcher's leadership. Thatcher polled higher than him in the first round of the leadership contest, but failed to gain an outright victory in the first round of voting.[1]
Within minutes of the result being announced, Thatcher informed reporters that she intended to let her name go forward for the second ballot.[2] However, on 22 November, before a second round of the contest could take place, Margaret Thatcher announced her resignation as Prime Minister and Leader of the Conservative Party after more than 11 years, explaining that she was resigning to make way for a leader more likely to win the next general election.
Her successor was the Chancellor of the Exchequer, John Major, who was elected on 27 November 1990, and who at 47 became the youngest Conservative Prime Minister of the 20th century.
Members of the Cabinet are in bold face.
| Office | Name | Dates | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prime Minister First Lord of the Treasury Minister for the Civil Service | Margaret Thatcher | June 1987 – 28 November 1990 | ||
| Deputy Prime Minister | The Viscount Whitelaw | June 1987 - January 1988 | also Leader of the House of Lords and Lord President of the Council | |
| Lord High Chancellor of Great Britain | The Lord Havers | 13 June 1987 | ||
| The Lord Mackay of Clashfern | 26 October 1987 | |||
| Leader of the House of Commons | John Wakeham | 13 June 1987 | also Lord Privy Seal from June 1987 - January 1988, Lord President of the Council from January 1988 - July 1989 | |
| Sir Geoffrey Howe | 24 July 1989 | also Lord President of the Council | ||
| John MacGregor | 2 November 1990 | also Lord President of the Council | ||
| Leader of the House of Lords | The Viscount Whitelaw | June 1987 | also Lord President of the Council | |
| The Lord Belstead | January 1988 | also Lord Privy Seal | ||
| Lord President of the Council | The Viscount Whitelaw | June 1987 | also Deputy Leader of the Conservative Party and Leader of the House of Lords | |
| John Wakeham | 10 January 1988 | also Leader of the House of Commons | ||
| Sir Geoffrey Howe | 24 July 1989 | also Deputy Prime Minister and Leader of the House of Commons | ||
| John MacGregor | 2 November 1990 | also Leader of the House of Commons | ||
| Minister of State for the Privy Council Office | Richard Luce | June 1987 – 24 July 1990 | ||
| David Mellor | 24 July 1990 – 28 November 1990 | |||
| Lord Keeper of the Privy Seal | John Wakeham | 13 June 1987 | also Leader of the House of Commons | |
| The Lord Belstead | 10 January 1988 | also Leader of the House of Lords | ||
| Chancellor of the Exchequer | Nigel Lawson | June 1987 | ||
| John Major | 26 October 1989 | |||
| Chief Secretary to the Treasury | John Major | 13 June 1987 | ||
| Norman Lamont | 24 July 1989 | |||
| Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury | David Waddington | 13 June 1987 | ||
| Tim Renton | 28 October 1989 | |||
| Financial Secretary to the Treasury | Norman Lamont | June 1987 | ||
| Peter Lilley | 24 July 1989 | |||
| Hon. Francis Maude | 23 July 1990 | |||
| Economic Secretary to the Treasury | Peter Lilley | June 1987 | ||
| Richard Ryder | 25 July 1989 | |||
| John Maples | 23 July 1990 | |||
| Lords Commissioners of the Treasury | Michael Neubert | June 1987 – 26 July 1988 | ||
| Peter Lloyd | June 1987 – 24 July 1988 | |||
| Hon. Mark Lennox-Boyd | June 1987 – 25 July 1988 | |||
| Tony Durant | June 1987 – 19 December 1988 | |||
| David Lightbown | 26 July 1987 – 24 July 1990 | |||
| Alan Howarth | 27 July 1988 – 24 July 1989 | |||
| David Maclean | 27 July 1988 – 24 July 1989 | |||
| Kenneth Carlisle | 27 July 1988 – 22 July 1990 | |||
| Stephen Dorrell | 20 December 1988 – 3 May 1990 | |||
| David Heathcoat-Amory | 26 July 1989 – 28 October 1989 | |||
| John Taylor | 26 July 1989 – 29 November 1990 | |||
| Tom Sackville | 30 October 1989 – November 1990 | |||
| Michael Fallon | 10 May 1990 – 22 July 1990 | |||
| Sydney Chapman | 25 July 1990 – November 1990 | |||
| Greg Knight | 25 July 1990 – November 1990 | |||
| Irvine Patnick | 25 July 1990 – November 1990 | |||
| Assistant Whips | Richard Ryder | June 1987 - July 1988 | ||
| Kenneth Carlisle | June 1987 - July 1988 | |||
| Stephen Dorrell | June 1987 - December 1988 | |||
| Alan Howarth | June 1987 - July 1988 | |||
| David Maclean | June 1987 - July 1988 | |||
| Tom Sackville | July 1988 - October 1989 | |||
| John Taylor | July 1988 - July 1989 | |||
| Michael Fallon | July 1988 - May 1990 | |||
| David Heathcoat-Amory | July 1988 - July 1989 | |||
| Sydney Chapman | December 1988 - July 1990 | |||
| Greg Knight | July 1989 - July 1990 | |||
| Irvine Patnick | July 1989 - July 1990 | |||
| Nicholas Baker | November 1989 -November 1990 | |||
| Timothy Wood | May 1990 - November 1990 | |||
| Timothy Kirkhope | July 1990 - November 1990 | |||
| Tim Boswell | July 1990 - November 1990 | |||
| Neil Hamilton | July 1990 - November 1990 | |||
| Foreign Secretary | Sir Geoffrey Howe | June 1987 | ||
| John Major | 14 June 1989 | |||
| Hon. Douglas Hurd | 26 October 1989 | |||
| Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs | Lynda Chalker | June 1987 – November 1990 | also Minister of Overseas Development from 24 July 1989 | |
| Chris Patten | June 1987 – 24 July 1989 | also Minister of Overseas Development | ||
| David Mellor | 13 June 1987 – 26 July 1988 | |||
| The Lord Glenarthur | 13 June 1987 – 24 July 1989 | |||
| Hon. William Waldegrave | 26 July 1988 – 2 November 1990 | |||
| Hon. Francis Maude | 24 July 1989 – 14 July 1990 | |||
| The Lord Brabazon of Tara | 24 July 1989 – 24 July 1990 | |||
| The Earl of Caithness | 14 July 1990 – November 1990 | |||
| Tristan Garel-Jones | 14 July 1990 – November 1990 | |||
| Hon. Douglas Hogg | 2 November 1990 – November 1990 | |||
| Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs | Timothy Eggar | June 1987 | ||
| Hon. Tim Sainsbury | 24 July 1989 | |||
| Hon. Mark Lennox-Boyd | 24 July 1990 | |||
| Minister for Overseas Development | Chris Patten | June 1987 | also Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs | |
| Lynda Chalker | 24 July 1989 | also Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs | ||
| Home Secretary | Hon. Douglas Hurd | June 1987 | ||
| David Waddington | 26 October 1989 | |||
| Minister of State for Home Affairs | The Earl of Caithness | June 1987 – 10 January 1988 | ||
| Tim Renton | 15 June 1987 – October 1989 | |||
| John Patten | 13 June 1987 – November 1990 | |||
| The Earl Ferrers | 10 January 1988 – November 1990 | |||
| David Mellor | 27 October 1989 – 22 July 1990 | |||
| Angela Rumbold | 23 July 1990 – November 1990 | |||
| Under-Secretary of State for Home Affairs | Hon. Douglas Hogg | June 1987 – 26 July 1989 | ||
| Peter Lloyd | 25 July 1989 – November 1990 | |||
| Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food | John MacGregor | 13 June 1987 | ||
| John Gummer | 24 July 1989 | |||
| Minister of State for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food | John Gummer | June 1987 – 26 July 1988 | ||
| The Baroness Trumpington | 28 September 1989 – November 1990 | |||
| Under-Secretary of State for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food | Donald Thompson | June 1987 – 25 July 1989 | ||
| The Baroness Trumpington | 13 June 1987 – 28 September 1989 | |||
| Richard Ryder | 25 July 1988 – 14 July 1989 | |||
| David Curry | 26 July 1989 – November 1990 | |||
| David Maclean | 26 July 1989 – November 1990 | |||
| Minister for the Arts | Richard Luce | June 1987 | ||
| David Mellor | 26 July 1990 | |||
| Secretary of State for Defence | Hon. George Younger | June 1987 | ||
| Tom King | 24 July 1989 | |||
| Minister of State for the Armed Forces | Ian Stewart | 13 June 1987 | ||
| Hon. Archie Hamilton | 25 July 1988 | |||
| Minister of State for Defence Procurement | The Lord Trefgarne | June 1987 | ||
| Alan Clark | 24 July 1989 | |||
| Under-Secretary of State for the Armed Forces | Roger Freeman | June 1987 – 15 December 1988 | ||
| Michael Neubert | 19 December 1988 – 23 July 1990 | |||
| Under-Secretary of State for Defence Procurement | Hon. Tim Sainsbury | 13 June 1987 – 25 July 1989 | ||
| The Earl of Arran | 25 July 1989 – 26 July 1990 | |||
| Kenneth Carlisle | 26 July 1990 – 28 November 1990 | |||
| Secretary of State for Education | Kenneth Baker | June 1987 | ||
| John MacGregor | 24 July 1989 | |||
| Kenneth Clarke | 2 November 1990 | |||
| Minister of State, Education and Science | Angela Rumbold | June 1987 – 24 July 1990 | ||
| Tim Eggar | 24 July 1990 | |||
| Under-Secretary of State, Education and Science | Bob Dunn | June 1987 – 26 July 1988 | ||
| The Baroness Hooper | 13 June 1987 – 26 July 1988 | |||
| Robert Jackson | 13 June 1987 – 24 July 1990 | |||
| John Butcher | 26 July 1988 – 24 July 1989 | |||
| Alan Howarth | 24 July 1989 – November 1990 | |||
| Michael Fallon | 24 July 1990 – November 1990 | |||
| Secretary of State for Employment | Norman Fowler | 13 June 1987 | ||
| Michael Howard | 3 January 1990 | |||
| Minister of State, Employment | John Cope | 13 June 1987 – 25 July 1989 | ||
| Timothy Eggar | 25 July 1989 – 23 July 1990 | |||
| Under-Secretary of State, Employment | John Lee | June 1987 – 26 July 1989 | ||
| Patrick Nicholls | 13 June 1987 – 24 July 1990 | |||
| The Lord Strathclyde | 26 July 1989 – 24 July 1990 | |||
| Robert Jackson | 24 July 1990 – November 1990 | |||
| Eric Forth | 24 July 1990 – November 1990 | |||
| The Viscount Ullswater | 24 July 1990 – November 1990 | |||
| Secretary of State for Energy | Cecil Parkinson | 13 June 1987 | ||
| John Wakeham | 24 July 1989 | |||
| Minister of State, Energy | Peter Morrison | 13 June 1987 – 26 July 1990 | ||
| Under-Secretary of State, Energy | Michael Spicer | 13 June 1987 – 3 January 1990 | ||
| The Baroness Hooper | 26 July 1988 – 28 July 1989 | |||
| Tony Baldry | 3 January 1990 – 28 November 1990 | |||
| Hon. Colin Moynihan | 24 July 1990 – November 1990 | |||
| Secretary of State for the Environment | Hon. Nicholas Ridley | June 1987 | ||
| Chris Patten | 24 July 1989 | |||
| Minister of State for Local Government | Michael Howard | 13 June 1987 | ||
| John Gummer | 25 July 1988 | |||
| David Hunt | 25 July 1989 | |||
| Michael Portillo | 4 May 1990 | |||
| Minister of State for Housing | Hon. William Waldegrave | 13 June 1987 | ||
| The Earl of Caithness | 25 July 1988 | |||
| Michael Howard | 25 July 1989 | |||
| Michael Spicer | 3 January 1990 | |||
| Minister of State, Environment | The Lord Belstead | 13 June 1987 – 10 January 1988 | ||
| The Earl of Caithness | 10 January 1988 – 25 July 1988 | |||
| Michael Howard | 25 July 1988 – 24 July 1989 | |||
| David Trippier | 24 July 1989 – 28 November 1990 | |||
| Under-Secretary of State for Sport | Hon. Colin Moynihan | 22 June 1987 – 26 July 1990 | ||
| Robert Atkins | 26 July 1990 – 28 November 1990 | |||
| Under-Secretary of State, Environment | Christopher Chope | June 1987 – 22 July 1990 | ||
| Marion Roe | 13 June 1987 – 26 July 1988 | |||
| David Trippier | 13 June 1987 – 23 July 1989 | |||
| Virginia Bottomley | 25 July 1988 – 28 October 1989 | |||
| The Lord Hesketh | 31 January 1989 – 2 November 1990 | |||
| David Heathcoat-Amory | 28 October 1989 – 28 November 1990 | |||
| Patrick Nicholls | 26 July 1990 – 12 October 1990 | |||
| The Lord Strathclyde | 26 July 1990 – 7 September 1990 | |||
| The Baroness Blatch | 7 September 1990 – November 1990 | |||
| Robert Key | 12 October 1990 – November 1990 | |||
| Secretary of State for Social Services | John Moore | 13 June 1987 | Reorganised into Office of Health and Office of Social Security 25 July 1988 | |
| Secretary of State for Health | Kenneth Clarke | 25 July 1988 | ||
| Hon. William Waldegrave | 2 November 1990 | |||
| Minister of State, Health | Tony Newton | June 1987 | ||
| David Mellor | 25 July 1988 | under separate Office of Health | ||
| The Lord Trafford | 29 July 1989 – September 1989 | |||
| Virginia Bottomley | 28 October 1989 | |||
| Under-Secretary of State, Health and Social Security | Edwina Currie | June 1987 – 25 July 1988 | ||
| Michael Portillo | 13 June 1987 – 25 July 1988 | |||
| The Lord Skelmersdale | 13 June 1987 – 25 July 1988 | |||
| Under-Secretary of State, Health | Edwina Currie | 25 July 1988 – 16 December 1988 | ||
| Roger Freeman | 16 December 1988 – 4 May 1990 | |||
| The Baroness Hooper | 29 September 1989 – November 1990 | |||
| Stephen Dorrell | 4 May 1990 – November 1990 | |||
| Secretary of State for Social Security | John Moore | 25 July 1988 | ||
| Tony Newton | 23 July 1989 | |||
| Minister of State, Social Security | Nicholas Scott | 13 June 1987 | under separate Office of Social Security 25 July 1988 | |
| Under-Secretary of State, Social Security | The Lord Skelmersdale | 25 July 1988 – 26 July 1989 | ||
| Peter Lloyd | 25 July 1988 – 28 July 1989 | |||
| The Lord Henley | 25 July 1989 – November 1990 | |||
| Gillian Shephard | 25 July 1989 – 28 November 1990 | |||
| Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster | Kenneth Clarke | 13 June 1987 | ||
| Tony Newton | 25 July 1988 | |||
| Kenneth Baker | 24 July 1989 | also Chairman of the Conservative Party | ||
| Secretary of State for Northern Ireland | Tom King | June 1987 | ||
| Hon. Peter Brooke | 24 July 1989 | |||
| Minister of State, Northern Ireland | John Stanley | 13 June 1987 – 25 July 1988 | ||
| Ian Stewart | 25 July 1988 – 25 July 1989 | |||
| John Cope | 25 July 1989 – 28 November 1990 | |||
| Under-Secretary of State, Northern Ireland | The Lord Lyell | June 1987 – 25 July 1989 | ||
| Richard Needham | June 1987 – April 1992 | |||
| Peter Viggers | June 1987 – 26 July 1989 | |||
| Brian Mawhinney | June 1987 – 28 November 1990 | |||
| Peter Bottomley | 4 July 1989 – 28 July 1990 | |||
| The Lord Skelmersdale | 24 July 1989 – 28 November 1990 | |||
| Paymaster General | Hon. Peter Brooke | 13 June 1987 | also Chairman of the Conservative Party | |
| The Earl of Caithness | 24 July 1989 | |||
| Richard Ryder | 14 July 1990 | |||
| Secretary of State for Scotland | Malcolm Rifkind | June 1987 | ||
| Minister of State for Scotland | Ian Lang | 13 June 1987 – 28 November 1990 | ||
| The Lord Sanderson of Bowden | 13 June 1987 – 7 September 1990 | |||
| Michael Forsyth | 7 September 1990 – November 1990 | |||
| Under-Secretary of State for Scotland | Lord James Douglas-Hamilton | 13 June 1987 – 6 July 1995 | ||
| Michael Forsyth | 13 June 1987 – 7 September 1990 | |||
| The Lord Strathclyde | 7 September 1990 – November 1990 | |||
| Minister for Trade | Alan Clark | June 1987 | ||
| The Lord Trefgarne | 25 July 1989 | |||
| Hon. Tim Sainsbury | 23 July 1990 | |||
| Secretary of State for Trade and Industry | The Lord Young of Graffham | 13 June 1987 | ||
| Hon. Nicholas Ridley | 24 July 1989 | |||
| Peter Lilley | 14 July 1990 | |||
| Minister for Industry | Hon. Douglas Hogg | 24 July 1989 | ||
| The Lord Hesketh | 2 November 1990 | |||
| Minister for Corporate Affairs | John Redwood | 2 November 1990 | ||
| Under-Secretary of State for Trade and Industry | John Butcher | June 1987 – 26 July 1988 | ||
| Robert Atkins | 13 June 1987 – 26 July 1989 | |||
| Hon. Francis Maude | 13 June 1987 – 26 July 1989 | |||
| Eric Forth | 26 July 1988 – 24 July 1990 | |||
| John Redwood | 26 July 1989 – 2 November 1990 | |||
| Edward Leigh | 2 November 1990 – November 1990 | |||
| Secretary of State for Transport | Paul Channon | 13 June 1987 | ||
| Cecil Parkinson | 24 July 1989 | |||
| Minister of State, Transport | David Mitchell | June 1987 – 25 July 1988 | ||
| Michael Portillo | 25 July 1988 – 4 May 1990 | |||
| Roger Freeman | 4 May 1990 – 28 November 1990 | |||
| The Lord Brabazon of Tara | 23 July 1990 – November 1990 | |||
| Under-Secretary of State for Transport | Peter Bottomley | June 1987 – 24 July 1989 | ||
| The Lord Brabazon of Tara | June 1987 – 23 July 1989 | |||
| Robert Atkins | 25 July 1989 – 22 July 1990 | |||
| Patrick McLoughlin | 25 July 1989 – November 1990 | |||
| Christopher Chope | 23 July 1990 – November 1990 | |||
| Secretary of State for Wales | Peter Walker | 13 June 1987 | ||
| David Hunt | 4 May 1990 | |||
| Minister of State for Wales | Wyn Roberts | 15 June 1987 | ||
| Under-Secretary of State for Wales | Ian Grist | 15 June 1987 – 28 November 1990 | ||
| Attorney General | Sir Patrick Mayhew | 11 June 1987 | ||
| Solicitor General | Nicholas Lyell | 13 June 1987 | ||
| Lord Advocate | The Lord Cameron of Lochbroom | June 1987 | ||
| The Lord Fraser of Carmyllie | 4 January 1989 | |||
| Solicitor General for Scotland | Peter Fraser | June 1987 | ||
| Alan Rodger | 14 January 1989 | Not an MP | ||
| Treasurer of the Household | David Hunt | 15 June 1987 | ||
| Tristan Garel-Jones | 25 July 1989 | |||
| Alastair Goodlad | 22 July 1990 | |||
| Comptroller of the Household | Hon. Robert Boscawen | June 1987 | ||
| Tristan Garel-Jones | 26 July 1988 | |||
| Alastair Goodlad | 25 July 1989 | |||
| Sir George Young, Bt | 23 July 1990 | |||
| Vice-Chamberlain of the Household | Tristan Garel-Jones | June 1987 | ||
| Michael Neubert | 26 July 1988 | |||
| Tony Durant | 20 December 1988 | |||
| David Lightbown | 25 July 1990 | |||
| Captain of the Gentlemen-at-Arms | The Lord Denham | June 1987 | ||
| Captain of the Yeomen of the Guard | The Viscount Davidson | June 1987 | ||
| Lords-in-Waiting | The Viscount Long | June 1987 – November 1990 | ||
| The Lord Hesketh | June 1987 – January 1989 | |||
| The Lord Beaverbrook | June 1987 – 28 July 1988 | |||
| The Earl of Dundee | June 1987 – 26 July 1989 | |||
| The Earl of Arran | 18 June 1987 – 24 July 1989 | |||
| The Lord Strathclyde | 12 August 1988 – 24 July 1989 | |||
| The Lord Henley | 13 February 1989 – 24 July 1989 | |||
| The Viscount Ullswater | 26 July 1989 – 22 July 1990 | |||
| The Lord Reay | 2 August 1989 – November 1990 | |||
| The Earl of Strathmore | 2 August 1989 – November 1990 | |||
| The Baroness Blatch | 15 January 1990 – 7 September 1990 | |||
| The Lord Cavendish of Furness | 14 September 1990 – November 1990 | |||
| The Viscount Astor | 11 October 1990 – November 1990 |