The Orange Queen:Shirley Williams as PM

(Fingers Crossed)

Roy Hattersley:50 Years on: Prejudiced History of Britain Since the War

"Deep down Michael knew he wasn't Prime Ministerial material. He had done a much better job than many people expected but he wasn't that kind of personality. As a campaigner he was unbeatable but as a largely impotent chief executive he was the proverbial square peg in the round hole.

Let me make this clear though. Michael Foot's tenure as Prime Minister will do down in history as an heroic one. His policies helped to reduce inflation to manageable levels and restore international confidence in the country paving the way for a more moderate 1980's then one might have feared"
 
Interesting. One question though, why is she 'orange'? Is that because of the Lib Dem thing, which wouldnt make sense, if, as I presume, your having her stay with Labour, or is it some other thing about her that I am missing?
 
Interesting. One question though, why is she 'orange'? Is that because of the Lib Dem thing, which wouldnt make sense, if, as I presume, your having her stay with Labour, or is it some other thing about her that I am missing?

Thats right. She stays with Labour but has Jenkinsite ideas...


5th April 1978

Labour Leadership Election
Shirley Williams 176
Tony Benn 137

7th April 1978

CABINET

Prime Minister: Shirley Williams
Foreign Secretary:Roy Jenkins
Chancellor: Denis Healey
Home Secretary: Merlyn Rees

Trade and Industry: Tony Benn
Employment: Peter Shore
Environment, Transport and Regional Affairs: John Smith
Chief Secretary to the Treasury: David Owen

Northern Ireland Secretary:Roy Mason
 

shiftygiant

Gone Fishin'
Yeah, what happened to Foot? And on that, what happened to Callaghan?

What's the PoD, because I'm sorry to say but it's not clear, at all. If it's the Leadership election of '76, then shouldn't we start there?
 
Yeah, what happened to Foot? And on that, what happened to Callaghan?

What's the PoD, because I'm sorry to say but it's not clear, at all. If it's the Leadership election of '76, then shouldn't we start there?

Yes of course.

1969: Callaghan suffers a heart attack at the height of the troubles in Northern Ireland. He recovers but after the 1970 election declines a shadow cabinet role and focuses more on his farm

1975. UK votes "no" in European referendum. Wilson and the right are badly damaged.

1976 Wilson resigns. Left in the ascendency after referendum. Foot made Labour leader.

1976-1978 IMF crisis. Foot and Healey as Chancellor get £3.9 billion loan and use it to increase nationalisation. Against his principles but aware of the danger facing the nation Labour introduce statutory wages act in 1977.

Inflation starts to fall to single figures by 1978. Foot decides to step down as PM as he knows he doesn't have the appetite to lead for another 5 years.

Williams acts as a centrist candidate aware that crisies of last few years had caused huge ructions.

1978 Williams becomes PM and forms balanced government. Jenkins as Foreign Secretary is sign that UK is still pro-europe.

(Butterflies aplenty :)
 
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