Margaret Thatcher that Foreign Secretary James Callaghan warned his fellow Labour Cabinet members in 1974 of the possibility of "a breakdown of democracy", telling them: "If I were a young man, I would emigrate." In mid-1978, the economy began to recover and opinion polls showed Labour in the lead, with a general election being expected later that year and a Labour win a serious possibility. Now Prime Minister, Callaghan surprised many by announcing on 7 September that there would be no general election that year and he would wait until 1979 before going to the polls. Thatcher reacted to this by branding
Prime Minister parodies (Private Eye) Plastic Beaker Disposal Unit, or APBDU. There was no Prime Ministerial parody by Private Eye of James Callaghan's government. Dear Bill consisted of spoof letters from Denis Thatcher to his friend Bill Deedes, editor of the Daily Telegraph, about life in 10 Downing Street with Margaret Thatcher. The series portrayed Denis as a sozzled right-wing alcoholic staggering between snifters, with various friends, many of whom, like Bill and Denis, played golf. The putative author was often commanded to accompany his wife on various tours – home and abroad; electioneering, political and statesmanlike, plus 'very' occasional holidays; Denis has his own