Inspired by the threads on Thatcher and the SDP, I offer an unlikely POD that might have made Thatcher's position more difficult.
Jim Callaghan was the son of an RN petty officer and, after enlisting as a rating, was promoted to lieutenant in the RN during WW2. What if he had had a deep love of the RN? On becoming PM in early 1976, he negotiates with President Ford a very good deal whereby Britain buy into the Nimitz carrier program agreeing to receive two ships and and F-18s to operate from them. Coral Sea is loaned until the first supercarrier arrives in 1981. The huge cost must be repaid over 1981-1985 but Callaghan is confident that North Sea oil can provide the money.
Thus Argentina would have little hope of holding the Falklands and there would be less money available during the recession of Thatcher's first term.
Jim Callaghan was the son of an RN petty officer and, after enlisting as a rating, was promoted to lieutenant in the RN during WW2. What if he had had a deep love of the RN? On becoming PM in early 1976, he negotiates with President Ford a very good deal whereby Britain buy into the Nimitz carrier program agreeing to receive two ships and and F-18s to operate from them. Coral Sea is loaned until the first supercarrier arrives in 1981. The huge cost must be repaid over 1981-1985 but Callaghan is confident that North Sea oil can provide the money.
Thus Argentina would have little hope of holding the Falklands and there would be less money available during the recession of Thatcher's first term.