Letters to persons leaving the Government (Biffen, Edwards, Hailsham, Jopling, Tebbit)

(1) John Biffen MP

Dear Prime Minister,

Your request that I should resign was widely forecast. Therefore it came as little surprise.

I have the happiest memories of working closely with colleagues since 1979. Reducing inflation, spreading ownership and reforming trade unions are economic policies that have had my unstinted support.

Meanwhile, there has been a steady increase in social spending in health and education. This should continue in substantial terms. There must be a balance between a successful economic policy and a progressive social policy which provides resources for the National Health Service in particular, and also for state education.

Finally, I would like to welcome your appointment of John Wakeham as Leader of the House. I have been well placed to appreciate and admire his professionalism; and I wish him every success.

Yours sincerely

John Biffen [end p1]

My dear John BiffenJohn,

Thank you for your letter.

I should like to thank you warmly for everything you have done for the Government and the Party in the major posts you have held since we took office in 1979, as well as for the vital support you offered in our key period of opposition running up to the Election. As Chief Secretary to the incoming Government, you understood the need to establish that firm control over public expenditure which has been a central feature of our approach to the economy, and which has played a major part in the economic success the country has achieved. After a period as Trade Secretary, your work as Lord Privy Seal and Leader of the Commons has enabled us to steer through much essential legislation, with a skill and understanding that has won the recognition and admiration of the House as a whole.

Yours ever

Margaret [end p2]

(2) Nicholas Edwards MP

Dear Margaret,

Last December, when I told you of my decision not to stand again for Parliament, you asked me to continue in my job as Secretary of State for Wales until the election. The time has now come for me to handover responsibility. I do so with a sense of sadness and achievement.

My visitor's book records that you and Denis were staying here exactly ten years ago—on June 10th–11th, 1977 when you were on a tour of Wales as Leader of the Opposition. We were together in Shadow Cabinet for almost four years as we worked for victory; and I have had the enormous priviledge of working with you in Cabinet for the whole of the eight years in which you have so [end p3] marvellously changed the spirit, the performance, and the prospects for the future, of our country.

Nowhere has the change been greater than in Wales. As you said in Newport recently, we formed a Wales that had suffered for generations from industrial decline, with its industries and uncompetitive, and with understandable anxiety widespread about the future. Today, the Welsh economy is growing and expanding, unemployment is falling faster than anywhere in Britain, and we have launched programmes of urban renewals that will transform the lives of the people. Touring Wales during the campaign I have seen again and again striking evidence of this transformation. The development around Cardiff Bay is already attracting interests and proposals from around the world on an extraordinary scale.

In the year ahead I am confident that for my success will carry forward this work, and prove to be nonsense the idea that a divide is being created between two nations. It is a fact of history that the [end p4] reality of change often only becomes obvious after the event. The transformation is taking place before our eyes here in Wales—and in parts of Scotland and the North—but it will take time for its scale and potential to be fully recognized and appreciated by the electors and commentators alike.

I have particularly appreciated the encouragement that you have given me and the freedom to do what I thought was necessary here in Wales which has enabled me to respond to the special needs of this part of Britain, and to support the Welsh language and the Arts in Wales, as well as the widespread social responsibility of the department.

When we have disagreed you have encouraged vigorous debate; and I have fought and won too many battles round the Cabinet table not to be amused by the critics view that [end p5] you preside over an always compliant team! I shall miss those testing and sometimes exhausting exchanges in which policies refined by argument; but, with a marvelous victory behind you, I pray that health and energy will keep you to the task that we have begun so well.

I am deeply grateful for the opportunity that you have given me. Ann sends her love and joins me in wishing you and Denis, health, happiness and success in the years ahead.

With affection and admiration

Yours ever

Nick[end p6]

Dear Nicholas EdwardsNick,

Thank you so much for your very generous letter.

But I also want to thank you most warmly for all you have achieved as Secretary of State for Wales and as a member of the Cabinet since 1979. You have made an immense contribution to our discussions and decisions in Government, not solely on Welsh matters but across the whole range of Government business. Your abilities will be greatly missed.

You described in your letter some of the developments which have taken place in Wales in the past eight years. Your own role has been crucial. You have helped to attract investment to Wales in a way which has laid the foundations for whole new industries in the Principality. You have seen through changes whose benefits to Wales will be felt for years to come.

Denis ThatcherDenis joins me in sending you our warmest good wishes for the years ahead.

Yours ever

Margaret [end p7]

(3) Lord Hailsham

My dear Margaret,

Thank you so much for our talk this morning.

We both agreed that the time has now come to lay aside my wig and put my father's gold robe back in its tin box. I hope I have worn it without dishonouring his memory.

It has been a great privilege to [end p8] serve under you. At our last Cabinet before the election I told you that you had changed the face of British politics. This is now reinforced by the results of the election.

God bless you, and thank you for your patience and unfailing kindness.

You may always count on me to do anything in my power to help.

yrs:

Q. [end p9]

My dear Lord HailshamQuintin,

Thank you for your letter of today.

There can be few people in public life who have provided such service to our country as you have over the last 40 or more years. From your entry into the Government in 1945 at the Ministry of Air to Lord High Chancellor of Great Britain, you have graced every office that you have held with supreme distinction and style. Your oratory on State occasions will be remembered always. And your trenchant advice on the issues of our time has been an enormous source of strength to the Government. Without doubt you are one of the great Lord Chancellors. What marvellous service the Hailsham family has given to our country.

I also thank you for the help that you have given me personally. Your kindness and your wisdom in Cabinet have been of great value to me during my time as Prime Minister.

We shall all miss you greatly.

Yours ever

Margaret [end p10]

(4) Michael Jopling MP

My Dear Prime Minister,

You have asked me to step down from the cabinet and, of course, I am content to do as you wish.

Since you became Leader of our Party you have given me opportunities beyond the dreams of ambition. I shall always be grateful to you for all the trust you have given me and, in particular, for the loyalty you have given me in difficult times.

I shall always look back at the last 8 years and recall how I was able to play a part in your first two Parliaments, which have changed the direction and fortunes of Britain, in such a fundamental way for the better. [end p11]

You will know that you can rely on my continued, enthusiastic support in the future.

Yours Ever

Michael. [end p12]

My dear Michael JoplingMichael,

Thank you for your characteristically loyal and generous letter of today.

There is so much to praise and thank you for in all the work you have done for the Party and the Government since 1979. As Minister of Agriculture, you have done a superb job over a very difficult period and I believe that largely as a result of your efforts the farming community now understands the course we are following in the European Community. Moreover I am sure that they appreciate your valiant efforts on their behalf.

As you letter says since 1979 we have been able to change the direction and fortunes of Britain. And as Chief Whip you played a key part in that first 1979/83 Government which began to halt the decline of Britain and begin that transformation to a prouder and more vigorous country. You have been a member of the Front Bench for sixteen years, as well as being a member of the Shadow Cabinet. Your contribution to our success has been enormous.

It is an unhappy day when I have to ask some people to make way for others, especially when, like yours, their services have been invaluable—and I am deeply grateful for your ready understanding.

Yours ever

Margaret [end p13]

(5) Norman Tebbit MP

Dear Margaret

Over the last eight years, I have had the privilege to serve in a number of Ministerial offices, as a member of the Government which you have led. Under your leadership I have been able to contribute to the changes which have led to international confidence in Britain unparalleled in post-war years. The nation's economic renaissance has allowed the Government, in your words, to begin the extension of what were once the privileges of the few to the many.

We have carried through many radical policies and have now put forward a programme of further reform in a third term. I have been proud to make my contribution to what has been achieved and the planning of our next moves forward.

As you have known for some time, I have come to the conclusion that I should now try to repay some of the debt which I owe to my own family who have shared the burdens of office over the last eight years. I am grateful to you for your understanding that I cannot therefore continue in Ministerial Office.

You will know that the Government, and you in particular, will always have my loyalty and support both through my work in the Party and from the back benches.

Thank you for allowing me to serve under your leadership and I am only sorry that my personal commitments make it impossible for me to continue to do so.

Yours ever

Norman [end p14]

My dear Norman TebbitNorman,

Thank you for your letter of today. I well understand, and admire, what has led you to your decision to leave the Government, though it is a very sad day for me. We shall all miss you. Your shrewd advice and ability to go to the heart of the matter will be irreplaceable.

You were one of the original team which helped lay the foundation for our first victory in 1979 and you were the leader of the team which brought us our third victory. The Party and myself are enormously in your debt for your truly great services.

As Secretary of State for Employment, one of your notable achievements was to put on the Statute Book the Employment Act of 1982, which strengthened the rights of individual union members—legislation for which millions of people have reason to be thankful. During your time as Secretary of State for Trade and Industry you carried through a major part of the privatisation programme which enabled so many people to become shareholders for the first time. You saw the resurgence of British industry as it responded to the economic policies which you had helped to fashion in Government.

Although we shall no longer have the benefit of your wit and debating powers round the Cabinet table, I am sure we [end p15] shall hear them frequently in the House—as always supporting the cause in which we both believe. And I am delighted that you are staying on as Chairman of our Party.

Denis ThatcherDenis and I send our warm regards to you both.

Yours ever

Margaret.