Margaret Thatcher formally tenders her resignation to The Queen and leaves Downing Street for the last time. John Major is elected her successor.

November 28, 1990, was an eventful and historic day in the United Kingdom, marking the end of an era and the beginning of a new one. On this day, Margaret Thatcher, the longest-serving British Prime Minister of the 20th century, tendered her formal resignation to The Queen and left Downing Street for the last time. Her resignation was an end of a leadership era that had spanned more than a decade. On the same day, John Major, her chancellor, was elected as her successor, bringing a new wave of political leadership to the country.

Margaret Thatcher, popularly known as the ‘Iron Lady’, served as the British Prime Minister from 1979 to 1990. Her leadership was marked by significant political, economic, and social changes in the UK. Thatcher, the first woman to hold the office of Prime Minister, was not only an influential figure in the UK but also globally. Her decision to formally tender her resignation on November 28, 1990, was a moment that made headlines around the world.

Despite being a powerful leader, Thatcher faced several challenges during her tenure. She navigated the country through the Falklands War, stood unwavering against terrorism, and ushered in a controversial period of economic reform known as Thatcherism. However, her popularity began to wane in the late 1980s due to unpopular policies such as the Poll Tax. The increasing discontent within her own Conservative Party ultimately led to a leadership challenge in November 1990, and Thatcher, failing to win outright and unwilling to contest a second round, decided to resign as Prime Minister.

On her last day in Downing Street, thousands of citizens gathered to witness the historic moment. Thatcher, visibly emotional, bid farewell to her staff and left 10 Downing Street, a symbol of her leadership, for the last time. Cameras captured this moment, projecting it to millions of viewers, marking one of the most iconic events of the 20th century in Britain.

As Thatcher stepped down, John Major was elected as the new leader of the Conservative Party and hence the Prime Minister of the UK. Major, a key figure in Thatcher’s cabinet, had held prominent roles, including Foreign Secretary and Chancellor of the Exchequer. His appointment as the Prime Minister signified a transition from the Thatcher era.

John Major’s leadership brought a softer tone to the British political landscape. Known for his ‘soapbox’ campaigning and consensus approach, Major sought to unite a Conservative Party that had been divided under Thatcher, specifically over the UK’s relationship with the European Union. His tenure was marked by important events like the negotiation of the Maastricht Treaty that led to the formation of the European Union and the handling of the Black Wednesday economic crisis.

Though Major’s Premiership faced its own share of controversies and criticisms, his succession after Thatcher marked a significant shift in the UK’s political ecosystem.

The event of Margaret Thatcher tendering her resignation and John Major succeeding her as the British Prime Minister was not just an internal political change. This event played a pivotal role in defining the country’s subsequent political, social, and economic fabric. The impressions that both Thatcher and Major left on the leadership of the country continue to resonate within the discourse of UK politics, reminding us of an era of transformation and transition.

the 28th of November1990, marked a historic transition in British politics. From the decisive leadership of Margaret Thatcher to the consensus-building approach of John Major, this day is a reminder of the roles individuals play in shaping the course of a nation’s history.