Sir Geoffrey had been a close ally of Thatcher in the early years of her government, but relations between the two had deteriorated. When she reshuffled her cabinet in July 1989, the role of foreign secretary went to up-and-coming party star John Major. Cabinet colleague Kenneth Baker recalled to the BBC in 2019: “When she effectively sacked Jeffrey, she appointed him deputy prime minister. That’s not a job like the vice president of the United States…He knew he was going to be removed.”
On October 30, 1990, Thatcher unleashed one of her most infamous rants in Parliament, slamming her European brethren. In response to calls for stronger central control from Brussels, she defiantly declared: “No, no, no!” It was too much for Sir Geoffrey, and he resigned two days later. Thatcher remained bullish, giving a characteristically combative speech at the annual Mayor’s Dinner on 12 November. series of developments cricket metaphor“Bowling is pretty hostile these days, but I’m still at the crease. And in case anyone doubts it, can I guarantee you that I won’t be dodging, obstructing, or taking my time with bouncers? I’m going to bowl all over the ground. That’s my style.”
“I’ll keep fighting. I’ll fight to win.”
The next day, Sir Geoffrey responded in Parliament with the inevitable parting shot. Using another cricket analogy to explain Thatcher’s attitude towards British negotiations in Europe, he said: “It’s more like sending an opening batter into the crease only to find that their bat was broken by the team captain before the game.” He continued, “Perhaps it’s time for others to consider their own response to the tragic conflict of loyalty that I myself have wrestled with for far too long.” This was seen as an invitation for Thatcher’s old opponents to emerge from political exile and wage a power struggle.
Enter the man colloquially known as Tarzan. Michael Heseltine resigned as defense secretary four years ago in protest at Thatcher’s disregard for his views. He got his nickname in 1976 when he grabbed a ceremonial mace and waved it over his head in the House of Commons. since him Leaving the companyhe was spending time planning his return. With Hazeltine’s entry into the war, a leadership battle began.
Source: BBC Culture – www.bbc.com
