alternatehistory.com

Denis Healey "The Time Of My Life" 1990

"I walked into the cabinet room and Jim was sitting alone at the table looking glum and tense.

Sitting down in my usual position across from Jim I took a deep breath and said:

"Prime Minister, you know my view on the matter, however whatever happens and whatever you decide I'll support you to the hilt"

"Thank You Denis, I really appreciate that" replied Jim. I knew that when Jim Callaghan said 'thank you" he meant it unlike Benn and Wilson.

"However I must insist that economic policy be solely in my hands. I can't trust him"

Jim sighed and said:

"They won't like it"

"I don't give a damn what they like or don't like. I don't want the last 2 years work to be for nothing and I know full well you don't either"

There was a silence which lasted for a few seconds but seemed to last an eternity.

"Very Well" Jim replied. "i'll shunt him into something where he can't do any harm"

"Thank You Jim"

There was a knock on the door, a Downing Street employee entered.

"Excuse me Chancellor, Prime Minister, your car is waiting"


As I walked through the connecting door between 10 and 11 Downing Street I knew that we were in for one hell of a ride.



EBC News at 6.00

"Good evening,

Mr Callaghan has been re-appointed as Prime Minister. He will lead a coalition government of his Social Democratic Party and the Socialist People's Party.

A partial list of the cabinet has been released:

James Callaghan as Prime Minister
Tony Benn as Deputy Prime Minister and Leader of the Assembly


Denis Healey as Chancellor
Michael Foot as Chief Secretary to the Treasury and a new position as International Financial Liaison Minister.
Top