First Thatcher ministry May 1979. The Winter of Discontent had seen the Labour government's popularity slump during the previous four months, and the opinion polls all pointed towards a Conservative victory. The Tories won the election with a majority of 44 seats and their leader Margaret Thatcher became Britain's first female prime minister. Thatcher inherited some of the worst economic statistics of postwar Britain. The nation was still feeling the effects of the numerous strikes during the recent Winter of Discontent. Inflation had recently topped 20%, and unemployment was in excess of 1.5 million for the first time since the 1930s. Thatcher's monetarist
What a Carve Up! (novel) son of Olivia and brother of Henry. Invests in the film industry and has a private fascination with cinema. Installs elaborate surveillance systems in his offices and has voyeuristic tendencies. Henry Winshaw (b. 1926) – Brother of Thomas, career politician. Attended Oxford University in the 1940s where he was a member of the Conservative Association under the presidency of a chemistry student named Margaret Roberts - who would later become prime minister Margaret Thatcher. Instrumental in policies to "reform" the National Health Service. Dorothy Winshaw (b. 1936) – Daughter and only child of Lawrence Winshaw. Runs an intensive farm business