Letter to Lord Elton (resignation)
| Document type: | Speeches, interviews, etc. |
|---|---|
| Venue: | No.10 Downing Street |
| Source: | Thatcher MSS (Churchill Archive Centre): THCR |
| Editorial comments: | Lord Elton had written to MT placing his office at her disposal on 1 September 1986. His letter precedes MT’s. |
| Importance ranking: | Minor |
| Word count: | 261 |
| Themes: | Executive (appointments) |
Dear Prime Minister
I am writing, after careful reflection and with much regret, to ask you to find a replacement for me at the next convenient opportunity. I told Willie Whitelaw of my intention before the House rose for the summer recess and was to have spoken to him again on my return from leave, but he is at present away and I believe you wish to make any changes in your team fairly soon.
It has been a privilege and a pleasure to serve in two of your Governments over the past 7½ years but I feel that I must now give more attention to my own affairs which have [end p1] suffered not a little in that time.
You will, of course, continue to have my loyal support from the back benches and my every best wish for success in the next General Election.
Yours very sincerely
Lord EltonRodney
Dear Rodney,
Thank you for your letter of 1 September.
I was very sorry to learn that you wished to leave the Government so that you could give more time to personal affairs. You have served loyally and with distinction since 1979, in Northern Ireland, the Department of Health and Social Security, the Home Office and for the past year at the Department of the Environment as Minister responsible for planning and regional affairs. Your contribution has been greatly valued in all these posts. I thank you indeed most warmly for it.
Yours ever
Margaret