Thatcher Shadow Cabinet | |
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![]() Shadow Cabinet of the United Kingdom | |
1975 – 1979 | |
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Date formed | 11 February 1975 |
Date dissolved | 4 May 1979 |
People and organisations | |
Monarch | Elizabeth II |
Leader of the Opposition | Margaret Thatcher |
Deputy Leader of the Opposition | William Whitelaw |
Member party | |
Status in legislature | Official Opposition 277 / 635 (44%) |
History | |
Election | 1975 Conservative Party leadership election |
Legislature terms | 47th UK Parliament |
Predecessor | Second Shadow Cabinet of Edward Heath |
Successor | Shadow Cabinet of James Callaghan |
Margaret Thatcher became the first female Leader of the Conservative Party and Leader of the Opposition after winning the 1975 leadership election, the first Conservative leadership election where the post was not vacant. A rule change to enable the election was largely prompted by dissatisfaction with the incumbent leader, Edward Heath, who had lost three of four general elections as leader, including two in 1974. After announcing her first Shadow Cabinet in February 1975, she reshuffled it twice: in January and November 1976. Minor subsequent changes were necessary to respond to various circumstances. Thatcher's Shadow Cabinet ceased to exist upon her becoming Prime Minister following the 1979 general election.
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Secretary of State for Education and Science
Leader of the Opposition
Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
Policies
Appointments
Articles by ministry and term: 1979–1983
1983–1987
1987–1990
Post-premiership
Publications
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