1. Why did Thatcher Resign?

2. MISCALCULATIONS The Community Charge Calling the Liberal Democrats a ‘dead parrot’ was ill advised!

3. EUROPEAN POLICIES Mrs Thatcher was deeply unhappy about Britain joining the ERM (Exchange Rate Mechanism) on 8 th October Many Tories disagreed with her stance-she was in a tiny minority! Thatcher continued to be outspoken-full monetary union (EMU) she said: ‘would be entering a federal Europe through the back- Delors’ Mrs Thatcher’s views on Delors’ vision for a Federal Europe were made quite obvious in parliament when she famously said ‘No! No! No!’

4. BY ELECTION DEFEATS 22 nd March 1990-the Conservatives lost the Mid-Staffordshire by-election where they had previously enjoyed a 19,000,majority 18 th October 1990-the Conservatives lost the Eastbourne seat to the Liberal Democrats, with a wing of over 20% Thatcher had called the Liberal Democrats ‘a dead parrot’ six days earlier 8 th November by election defeats in Bradford North and Bootle

5. GEOFFREY HOWE Geoffrey Howe resigned from the government on 1 st November 1990 He disagreed with Thatcher’s stance over Europe Howe was not the most charismatic figure but he had been a principled architect of Thatcherism, a former Chancellor of the Exchequer and Foreign Secretary Coming only one year after Nigel Lawson’s resignation, Howe’s departure made even loyal Tories feel that perhaps Thatcher should go. Howe made a speech in parliament that Thatcher never forgave him for. Howe told a husehed House of Commons that he could no longer serve such a leader, while it was up to others to consider their ‘own response.’

6. HESELTINE Heseltine had a clear ambition to be leader After Howe’s speech he formally announced he would challenge for leadership of the party.

7. Community Charge and Poll Tax Riots The introduction of the Community Charge has been seen as ‘the final straw’. The idea Thatcher still needed ‘dragons to sleigh’

8. LOSS OF COLLEAGUES Lawson resigned Howe resigns and makes especially damaging speech Nicholas Ridley left the government-she had lost a personal friend in the Cabinet

9. LEADERSHIP CHALLENGES Heseltine challenged Thatcher for leadership of the party Thatcher was supported by Douglas Hurd and John Major out of loyalty although both men had their own leadership ambitions. Her Parliamentary Private Secretary, Peter Morrison, organised her campaign. Alan Clark called him ‘useless’ Morris miscalculated massively

10. WHAT HAPPENED? 18 th November-Thatcher flies to Paris for a security conference Many papers said Heseltine deserved to win Leaving London was a serious error really Polling day, 20 th November 1990 arrived with Mrs Thatcher still in Paris. The ballot was conducted by the 1922 Committee

11. THE RESULT Thatcher (204 votes); Heseltine (152) Thatcher had won but her margin of victory fell four votes short There had to be a second ballot Thatcher was not prepared to stand down

12. The Downfall of Margaret Thatcher Miscalculations Europe By-election Defeats Resignation of colleagues Leadership challenges Howe/Heseltine The Community Charge and Poll Tax Riots

13. Margaret (Miscalculations) Resigned (Resignation of colleagues) Because (By-election defeats) Her (Howe/Heseltine) Leadership (Leadership challenge) Changed (Colleagues) Everything (Europe)