Letter to Timothy Raison MP (resignation)
| Document type: | Speeches, interviews, etc. |
|---|---|
| Venue: | No.10 Downing Street |
| Source: | Thatcher MSS (Churchill Archive Centre): THCR |
| Editorial comments: | Timothy Raison’s letter of resignation precedes MT’s. |
| Importance ranking: | Minor |
| Word count: | 379 |
| Themes: | Executive (appointments) |
My dear Prime Minister
Earlier this year I indicated to the Chief Whip that I thought the time was coming when I should leave the ODA with a view to becoming more active once more in domestic politics, whether inside or outside the government. I have very greatly enjoyed my time on overseas development in an excellent department and as a Foreign Office Minister, but fields like education, local government, big city problems and health have long been a particular interest of mine; and I would like too to be more involved once more in Parliament itself than has been the case at the ODA.
Since you are now planning government changes, I feel that it is right that I should put this to you, and say that if you would like to bring in someone else in my place in government I would fully understand. I repeat that I am glad to have had the privilege of serving at the ODA and before that at the Home Office—both challenging tasks, under distinguished Secretaries of State, and I am very grateful to you for the opportunity to do so. Leaving the government will be a wrench, but I will be glad to be able to range more widely over policy than one can as a junior Minister. Needless to say, I shall work all out for another Conservative victory at the general election.
With best wishes,
Yours ever, Timothy RaisonTim [end p1]
Dear Tim
Thank you for your generous letter of today.
As I told you this morning, I am making a number of changes in the Government and have decided with reluctance to accept your offer to place your office at my disposal. You have given nine years of outstanding service to the country. As Minister of State at the Home Office you dealt skilfully and compassionately with immigration problems and the Nationality Act. As Minister for Overseas Development, you ensured that Britain gave a lead to the world in responding to famine in Ethiopia and Sudan. On a personal note, after so many years of working together both in Opposition and in Government, I shall miss your consistently wise and humane advice. I send you my warmest thanks for all that you have done and my best wishes for the future.
Yours ever
Margaret