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John Major : The Autobiography
'The best memoir by a senior politician for years.' Simon Jenkins, Sunday Times John Major's autobiography is one of the most personal and revealing ever written by a former British Prime Minister. The account of his childhood, rise and fall is candid, scrupulous and unsparing. Major's early life was extraordinary; his rise through Parliament meteoric. Soon a favourite of Margaret Thatcher, he became Foreign Secretary and then Chancellor of the Exchequer. When Thatcher fell, he fought and won a shrewd campaign to succeed her, and went on to win a remarkable general election victory in 1992. He brought down inflation and ushered in a solid economic recovery, yet within months of the 1992 election, his government was in troubled waters. John Major is candid about his fight to keep sterling in the ERM and his reactions to 'Black Wednesday'. He is frank about the civil war within his party over Britain's relationship with the EU. He is honest about what he won and what he lost, about friends and foes within his party as well as outside.
790 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1999
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396 people want to read
About the author
John Major
74 books15 followersSir John Major, KG, CH.
Member of Parliament from 1979-2001. Prime Minister of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland from 28 November 1990 – 2 May 1997.
Invested a Member of the Order of the Companions of Honour (CH) in 1999 and a Knight Companion of the Most Noble Order of the Garter (KG) in 2005.
Member of Parliament from 1979-2001. Prime Minister of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland from 28 November 1990 – 2 May 1997.
Invested a Member of the Order of the Companions of Honour (CH) in 1999 and a Knight Companion of the Most Noble Order of the Garter (KG) in 2005.
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January 24, 2023
Trapped in between that of Thatcher and Blair, John Major premiership often tends to be overlooked and yet... He had managed to reduce both inflation and unemployment -then left by the traumatic Thatcher's era- leaving thus to his successor a sound economy, something which hadn't occurred in a long time. A brilliant politician (Thatcher saw that in him, she who had appointed him Foreign Secretary then Finance Minister), he here reveals himself in a biography written back in 1999.
What strikes first and foremost is his social background. Here is a man who left school at 16 and worked odd jobs from then on, an experience that made him more of a centre-right liberal than an ultra-Conservative, then multiplying within the Tories. It's also, somehow, ironic. He is often considered as Thatcher's heir (he carried on her privatisations campaigns) and yet he was the one to break away from many of her other controversial policies and views (e.g. he ditched the Poll Tax, and took a radically new approach towards the EU)!
But the book, of course, worth a read for his retelling of the major events that had shaped his leadership, from the signing of the Maastricht Treaty to his successful negotiating with the IRA, and from Black Wednesday (a crash that reads here like an epic thriller!) to his 'Back to Basic' slogan, an approach that -to put it mildly- backfired very badly. His downfall facing Tony Blair was brutal indeed, but it would be wrong to overlook him: here was a man who tried to stir the Tories away from many of their 'nasty' features (although guilty of embodying some himself) and who paid a heavy price for it.
Is it indispensable? I didn't feel so. Apart from his lampooning of Blair, there's not much controversies in here, the man being as humble as he can be funny at times. The work behind the scene surely is engrossing (personally, I was fascinated by how Black Wednesday unfolded...) but, frankly, there is not much to learn otherwise; the events in question having been recounted elsewhere and in more details. It still is a nice biography, if you care about recent British history...
What strikes first and foremost is his social background. Here is a man who left school at 16 and worked odd jobs from then on, an experience that made him more of a centre-right liberal than an ultra-Conservative, then multiplying within the Tories. It's also, somehow, ironic. He is often considered as Thatcher's heir (he carried on her privatisations campaigns) and yet he was the one to break away from many of her other controversial policies and views (e.g. he ditched the Poll Tax, and took a radically new approach towards the EU)!
But the book, of course, worth a read for his retelling of the major events that had shaped his leadership, from the signing of the Maastricht Treaty to his successful negotiating with the IRA, and from Black Wednesday (a crash that reads here like an epic thriller!) to his 'Back to Basic' slogan, an approach that -to put it mildly- backfired very badly. His downfall facing Tony Blair was brutal indeed, but it would be wrong to overlook him: here was a man who tried to stir the Tories away from many of their 'nasty' features (although guilty of embodying some himself) and who paid a heavy price for it.
Is it indispensable? I didn't feel so. Apart from his lampooning of Blair, there's not much controversies in here, the man being as humble as he can be funny at times. The work behind the scene surely is engrossing (personally, I was fascinated by how Black Wednesday unfolded...) but, frankly, there is not much to learn otherwise; the events in question having been recounted elsewhere and in more details. It still is a nice biography, if you care about recent British history...
September 13, 2015
If the market is to be believed, then this book is close to worthless. You can actually pick up a paperback copy for a penny on Amazon. This is a lamentable as the memoir, at the very least, provides an interesting look at how political parties commit suicide under the strains of irreconcilable centrifugal forces.
The key to understanding John Major's premiership is an offhand remark he made into a hot mic in Canada during a G7 meeting: "I run a coalition government." Perhaps the use of the word 'run' is inaccurate as that implies some sort of command and authority. He had neither. Though good leadership can fix a lot it can't fix everything. He constantly reminds us of this limitation on nearly every page. Such are the man's failings.
His term started inauspiciously when Margret Thatcher died an unnatural political death. The Conservative party's schizophrenia her legacy and the way forward produced ghastly divisions within the ruling party. My feeling is that Major was chosen as a compromise candidate who could be easily controlled. Thatcher even said in the papers that she was the backseat driver of his government. One is stunned at Major's unwillingness to publicly attack his predecessor when humiliated thus.
Had the Conservatives lost the '92 election none of this would have mattered. It actually would have been healthier as Ken Clarke and Michael Portillo have argued. There would have been an end to Thatcherism. Instead the victory was a perversion in that Major did not become a stronger leader with a concrete mandate in hand. Instead, the pro- and anti- Thatcher factions each took the victory as vindication of their own positions and retrenched. Major was left unenviably in the middle trying to hold it all together.
As if that wasn't bad enough, the Black Wednesday episode shattered any credibility Mr. Major earned in the '92 fight. Of course, the way he tells it here Norman Lamont is to blame for the whole fiasco. This is terribly inaccurate and is a case of not wanting to hold the soiled diaper. It is, nonetheless, gripping to read.
From here it was a nonstop stay at the trauma ward. Beset by constant rebellion from the so called "euro skeptic" faction, the government was totally reactive and unable to set the agenda.
Above all, this is an extraordinarily sensitive and introspective person trying to exercise authority over a party that only respected force. For more than a decade preceding they were actively discouraged from building proper, independent political and administrative reflexes that form the bedrock of government by cabinet. Instead, unknowing what to do what that freedom that Thatcher's departure gave them, they sniffed out any weakness and struck. We are left, as he is, speculating about what could have been rather than what was. And that is a tragedy worthy of pity but not our respect.
The key to understanding John Major's premiership is an offhand remark he made into a hot mic in Canada during a G7 meeting: "I run a coalition government." Perhaps the use of the word 'run' is inaccurate as that implies some sort of command and authority. He had neither. Though good leadership can fix a lot it can't fix everything. He constantly reminds us of this limitation on nearly every page. Such are the man's failings.
His term started inauspiciously when Margret Thatcher died an unnatural political death. The Conservative party's schizophrenia her legacy and the way forward produced ghastly divisions within the ruling party. My feeling is that Major was chosen as a compromise candidate who could be easily controlled. Thatcher even said in the papers that she was the backseat driver of his government. One is stunned at Major's unwillingness to publicly attack his predecessor when humiliated thus.
Had the Conservatives lost the '92 election none of this would have mattered. It actually would have been healthier as Ken Clarke and Michael Portillo have argued. There would have been an end to Thatcherism. Instead the victory was a perversion in that Major did not become a stronger leader with a concrete mandate in hand. Instead, the pro- and anti- Thatcher factions each took the victory as vindication of their own positions and retrenched. Major was left unenviably in the middle trying to hold it all together.
As if that wasn't bad enough, the Black Wednesday episode shattered any credibility Mr. Major earned in the '92 fight. Of course, the way he tells it here Norman Lamont is to blame for the whole fiasco. This is terribly inaccurate and is a case of not wanting to hold the soiled diaper. It is, nonetheless, gripping to read.
From here it was a nonstop stay at the trauma ward. Beset by constant rebellion from the so called "euro skeptic" faction, the government was totally reactive and unable to set the agenda.
Above all, this is an extraordinarily sensitive and introspective person trying to exercise authority over a party that only respected force. For more than a decade preceding they were actively discouraged from building proper, independent political and administrative reflexes that form the bedrock of government by cabinet. Instead, unknowing what to do what that freedom that Thatcher's departure gave them, they sniffed out any weakness and struck. We are left, as he is, speculating about what could have been rather than what was. And that is a tragedy worthy of pity but not our respect.
January 20, 2020
Isn't it funny how tastes can change over the years? I'm not talking about books this time though I only started reading political memoirs over the last five years or so but I always had an interest in politics even as a kid. When I was twelve I could name every member of Margaret Thatcher's Cabinet! I grew up in a family of Labour voters with a cloud hanging over the policies of Thatcher, especially in Scotland. So when John Major was Prime Minister, everyone I knew pretty much hated the Tories and thought they didn't do anything good for the ordinary person. It is funny that it is my political leanings that have changed over the years and that is why I love reading about the 1980's and 1990's. Now I can objectively see what the government was trying to do and the policies, fights, scandals...it is interesting to read and look back.
In most memoirs, I don't find much interest in the childhood years and the family tree but I have to admit that John Major's upbringing was different from most MP's. His parents worked as circus performers and music hall stars so it was a far from conventional family life, and he talks about his father's children from other women in and out of his marriages. Major was the family stage name which was adopted for John and he stuck with it. He entered politics as a Conservative councillor in Brixton, fighting the infamous 'Rivers of Blood' speech and standing up to racist candidates. This part of the book was interesting as it set the tone for what Major was determined to fight against.
His rise through politics was very speedy and Major himself regrets that it all came about too quickly. Having secured one of the safest Conservative seats in Britain, he swept into Parliament. His jobs included PPS, working in the whip department, Social Security, Minister for the Disabled, and bringing reforms to winter fuel payments. When Major reached the Treasury, Nigel Lawson was the first MP opposing the infamous Poll Tax both economically and politically so as a Treasury official, Major was arguing against the policy. I always find it interesting to see who was for and against the policy. The chapters about these different jobs were fascinating as Major goes into detail what the job entailed, his duties and what was generally going on with the government at the time.
John Major was getting surgery for a wisdom tooth at the time the plot to unseat Margaret Thatcher was beginning so he was not at Parliament when the plotting was in full swing but he still tells what he saw and heard through visitors and phone calls. It was Thatcher who promoted him to a job he did not want as Foreign Secretary but just as he was getting settled there and starting to enjoy it, Nigel Lawson resigned as Chancellor and Major was shocked to suddenly be promoted to the job he had always wanted. He admits that he would have liked more time in both jobs before suddenly being in the frame for Prime Minister. He was chosen to lead the party and country by a lot of his peers and with the full blessing of Thatcher who believed that he would be her man and continue her policies. She was to be mistaken!
There are chapters dedicated to all the main events in his years in power including the Poll Tax discussions, The first Gulf War, The Citizen's Charter, Maastricht Treaty, 1992 General Election win, Black Wednesday, the National Lottery, the Northern Ireland peace process, the summits, Balkan War, fighting allegations of Tory sleaze, his put up or shut up challenge to his backbenchers and the 1997 loss to Labour. He details how Labour stole Tory policies and how Tony Blair copied ideas from Major's own speeches so it seems that the popular soundbites Blair used came often from Major's speeches! Blair was often seen as a Red Tory and I'm starting to see why! The other thing that interested me was of course Major's love of reading, talking of books as cherished friends to be picked up again and again, a sentiment I certainly agree with.
I loved the detail in this book. John Major explains each policy, what it was intended to do, how it was implemented, what went right or wrong. It gives the reader a greater understanding of the policies and the political issues that were going on. It goes very much behind the scenes of the fights and scandals and the battles with the Tory right over Europe that derailed the government and helped them to lose an election. It was fascinating from start to finish yet written so that the ordinary person can understand even the most complex financial issues. It was a brilliant read and my first five star book of the year.
In most memoirs, I don't find much interest in the childhood years and the family tree but I have to admit that John Major's upbringing was different from most MP's. His parents worked as circus performers and music hall stars so it was a far from conventional family life, and he talks about his father's children from other women in and out of his marriages. Major was the family stage name which was adopted for John and he stuck with it. He entered politics as a Conservative councillor in Brixton, fighting the infamous 'Rivers of Blood' speech and standing up to racist candidates. This part of the book was interesting as it set the tone for what Major was determined to fight against.
His rise through politics was very speedy and Major himself regrets that it all came about too quickly. Having secured one of the safest Conservative seats in Britain, he swept into Parliament. His jobs included PPS, working in the whip department, Social Security, Minister for the Disabled, and bringing reforms to winter fuel payments. When Major reached the Treasury, Nigel Lawson was the first MP opposing the infamous Poll Tax both economically and politically so as a Treasury official, Major was arguing against the policy. I always find it interesting to see who was for and against the policy. The chapters about these different jobs were fascinating as Major goes into detail what the job entailed, his duties and what was generally going on with the government at the time.
John Major was getting surgery for a wisdom tooth at the time the plot to unseat Margaret Thatcher was beginning so he was not at Parliament when the plotting was in full swing but he still tells what he saw and heard through visitors and phone calls. It was Thatcher who promoted him to a job he did not want as Foreign Secretary but just as he was getting settled there and starting to enjoy it, Nigel Lawson resigned as Chancellor and Major was shocked to suddenly be promoted to the job he had always wanted. He admits that he would have liked more time in both jobs before suddenly being in the frame for Prime Minister. He was chosen to lead the party and country by a lot of his peers and with the full blessing of Thatcher who believed that he would be her man and continue her policies. She was to be mistaken!
There are chapters dedicated to all the main events in his years in power including the Poll Tax discussions, The first Gulf War, The Citizen's Charter, Maastricht Treaty, 1992 General Election win, Black Wednesday, the National Lottery, the Northern Ireland peace process, the summits, Balkan War, fighting allegations of Tory sleaze, his put up or shut up challenge to his backbenchers and the 1997 loss to Labour. He details how Labour stole Tory policies and how Tony Blair copied ideas from Major's own speeches so it seems that the popular soundbites Blair used came often from Major's speeches! Blair was often seen as a Red Tory and I'm starting to see why! The other thing that interested me was of course Major's love of reading, talking of books as cherished friends to be picked up again and again, a sentiment I certainly agree with.
I loved the detail in this book. John Major explains each policy, what it was intended to do, how it was implemented, what went right or wrong. It gives the reader a greater understanding of the policies and the political issues that were going on. It goes very much behind the scenes of the fights and scandals and the battles with the Tory right over Europe that derailed the government and helped them to lose an election. It was fascinating from start to finish yet written so that the ordinary person can understand even the most complex financial issues. It was a brilliant read and my first five star book of the year.
Read
August 9, 2011A truly revealing - and at times very humorous - account of a man, who history and conventional wisdom have derided as "the boring bloke between Thatcher and Blair". Instead, John Major was in power for six and a half years, during which some of the most important events of the post-Cold War era occurred (and that's before you even consider the pivotal role he played in the latter years of the Thatcher government). Understanding Major's take on those events then is vitally important, and this autobiography - unlike his successor's at times barely readable dirge 'Journey' - Major's attempt is a serious and eloquent defence of his time in Number 10. All autobiographies are exercises in self-justification, but some come closer than others to painting a well-rounded picture of the context in which decisions were made, and how events unfolded. This book is one of those few that succeeds.
June 25, 2021
This was an interesting read - the political memoir of the UK Prime Minister between Thatcher and Blair. While not a book about The Iron Lady, she does present as politically fumbling (from the Conservative P.O.V.) with the Poll Tax and laying the groundwork for federation with Europe. It is interesting to read how the UK Conservative party is for far to the left of what we call Conservative here in the US. Major cited as progress
Yes, the typical Conservative platform: public health services, broader public education, and support for the arts.
The relationship with George Bush (who comes across as a real gentleman) and Bill Clinton was interesting. The Clinton relationship was fraught with a lack of coordination around Gerry Adams and the IRA while things were good with Bush even during the difficult first Gulf War period. The whole issue of Scottish devolution as well as Northern Ireland (and so much violence there) combined with difficulties in working with a the Franco-German vision of a united Europe seems to me like this book could be documenting the roots of some future disintegration of the United Kingdom into a petulant, insignificant island nation of England.
...the NHS was treating 133 patients for every hundred it had managed to treat before reforms...
I wanted nursery education to be available for all...
What the "elite" tended to forget was that unless they broadened the base of the arts' public support, and recognised that they were part of a tradition, which begins in school and the village hall, they risked undermining their own claim to public subsidy. The problem was how to stimulate wider enjoyment and involvement...
Yes, the typical Conservative platform: public health services, broader public education, and support for the arts.
The relationship with George Bush (who comes across as a real gentleman) and Bill Clinton was interesting. The Clinton relationship was fraught with a lack of coordination around Gerry Adams and the IRA while things were good with Bush even during the difficult first Gulf War period. The whole issue of Scottish devolution as well as Northern Ireland (and so much violence there) combined with difficulties in working with a the Franco-German vision of a united Europe seems to me like this book could be documenting the roots of some future disintegration of the United Kingdom into a petulant, insignificant island nation of England.
December 24, 2019
A fascinating insight into the workings of government. Covering both external politics as well as internal party wranglings it allows a deep insight into how policy is created and decided. What can we agree on as a party, what will the electorate vote for as well as the additional expectation of international partners.
It is easy to forget how many significant national and international events occured during John Major's time in cabinet and as Prime Minister. He certainly had a huge amount to contend with.
The book deals with major events at a time rather than solely being chronological so the sheer scale of these events unravels as the book progresses, for me a fascinating way of developing events.
Reading this 20 years after publication the way he tried to ward off and prevent some of the divisive views and opinions that still cause huge division today is very interesting. Could he have done things differently and driven better outcomes? We will never know.
Which ever side of the political divide you sit on, I think this is an excellent account of events. As with any political biography it comes with the caveat of telling one person's perspective of events but it is well done.
An excellent book.
It is easy to forget how many significant national and international events occured during John Major's time in cabinet and as Prime Minister. He certainly had a huge amount to contend with.
The book deals with major events at a time rather than solely being chronological so the sheer scale of these events unravels as the book progresses, for me a fascinating way of developing events.
Reading this 20 years after publication the way he tried to ward off and prevent some of the divisive views and opinions that still cause huge division today is very interesting. Could he have done things differently and driven better outcomes? We will never know.
Which ever side of the political divide you sit on, I think this is an excellent account of events. As with any political biography it comes with the caveat of telling one person's perspective of events but it is well done.
An excellent book.
August 15, 2020
Got this book from someone having a lockdown clearout but I am interested in politics and quite like autobiographies of major political figures. I guess if you are not that into UK politics then you aren't going to be that bothered but I quite enjoyed a run through of all the big UK 90s political issues from the inside - Black Wednesday, Northern Ireland, the break-up of Yugoslavia, the ERM, the fall of Thatcher, public service reform etc. Also the backstory of Major's family and humble beginnings is great fun.
Major's writing is interesting enough, he drops in a few funny stories, and is good to know how he saw all these different issues unfolding from within Government. On the other hand, he does goes into a lot of detail (all his reshuffles person by person), and why there is an extra chapter about parliamentary reform at the end I really have no idea.
The other thing that is a bit frustrating is having read all this I am still not sure I really understand the man. He hardly seems to have a bad word to say about all these people who destroyed his Premiership, he describes everything in terms of fairplay like his beloved cricket, and portrays himself as an old-fashioned collegiate sort of fellow. But at the same time, this was a man that rose from nowhere to rapidly fill all the major offices of state before becoming PM, unexpectedly won the 1992 election, and famously called some of his disloyal Cabinet Members bastards. I can't help feeling that there must be more to him than he puts on show here he just doesn't want to- he does not mention the Edwina Currie stuff (I assume that must have come out later). Will the real John Major please stand up?
As interesting as all this was, I still feel that he held back from exposing his full personality here - which may well be just how he is - but it does still leave plenty of questions unanswered. I am still none the wiser as to whether the Major Premiership didn't achieve its aims and ultimately fell as he had to follow Thatcher after a long period of Conservative government and didn't have a large enough majority (particularly when facing the European issue which has always been such a problem for the Tories) or whether there was something in Major's lack of charisma, political savvy and general attitude of being a bit too nice that contributed to his downfall. Maybe a biography from someone else might try and better answer these questions.
Major's writing is interesting enough, he drops in a few funny stories, and is good to know how he saw all these different issues unfolding from within Government. On the other hand, he does goes into a lot of detail (all his reshuffles person by person), and why there is an extra chapter about parliamentary reform at the end I really have no idea.
The other thing that is a bit frustrating is having read all this I am still not sure I really understand the man. He hardly seems to have a bad word to say about all these people who destroyed his Premiership, he describes everything in terms of fairplay like his beloved cricket, and portrays himself as an old-fashioned collegiate sort of fellow. But at the same time, this was a man that rose from nowhere to rapidly fill all the major offices of state before becoming PM, unexpectedly won the 1992 election, and famously called some of his disloyal Cabinet Members bastards. I can't help feeling that there must be more to him than he puts on show here he just doesn't want to- he does not mention the Edwina Currie stuff (I assume that must have come out later). Will the real John Major please stand up?
As interesting as all this was, I still feel that he held back from exposing his full personality here - which may well be just how he is - but it does still leave plenty of questions unanswered. I am still none the wiser as to whether the Major Premiership didn't achieve its aims and ultimately fell as he had to follow Thatcher after a long period of Conservative government and didn't have a large enough majority (particularly when facing the European issue which has always been such a problem for the Tories) or whether there was something in Major's lack of charisma, political savvy and general attitude of being a bit too nice that contributed to his downfall. Maybe a biography from someone else might try and better answer these questions.
April 6, 2022
Born in 1991, John Major was one of the first names I began to recognise whenever the BBC News was on at home, or the radio tuned into in the car. I didn't know who he was, other than the fact that he was important and it was only in 1997 when I was old enough to understand that he had run the country for a while and a new man, Tony Blair, was taking over.
As an adult I've always wondered what kind of a man ran the country during the formative years of my childhood, especially given that it is now his party that I have had so much recent hatred towards. But what I learned by reading this book, is that Mr Major's reign, despite under the guise of the Conservative Party, was far more approachable and reasonable than today's mess.
The book began and ended with much interest and context, only bogging down during the middle third through endless policy detail, which at times was difficult to digest. But those centred on Mr Major's personal memories of politics and those around enduring topics like Europe and Northern Ireland built on knowledge that I have since gained in retrospect. The narrative did well to outline the different areas and stages of policy, without corrupting the chronology too much.
Regardless of party allegiance (and I am not afraid to say that I have never voted Tory) it is both comforting and horrifying to know that the country was governed and challenged by more reasonable politicians during the 1990s and that today's political Britain really is as ugly, disastrous and damaging as we often hear and see. I may have never voted Tory, but had I been eligible to do so in 1992 or 1997, on the basis of what I have learned both within the bias of this book and objectively beyond it, I may well have done.
As an adult I've always wondered what kind of a man ran the country during the formative years of my childhood, especially given that it is now his party that I have had so much recent hatred towards. But what I learned by reading this book, is that Mr Major's reign, despite under the guise of the Conservative Party, was far more approachable and reasonable than today's mess.
The book began and ended with much interest and context, only bogging down during the middle third through endless policy detail, which at times was difficult to digest. But those centred on Mr Major's personal memories of politics and those around enduring topics like Europe and Northern Ireland built on knowledge that I have since gained in retrospect. The narrative did well to outline the different areas and stages of policy, without corrupting the chronology too much.
Regardless of party allegiance (and I am not afraid to say that I have never voted Tory) it is both comforting and horrifying to know that the country was governed and challenged by more reasonable politicians during the 1990s and that today's political Britain really is as ugly, disastrous and damaging as we often hear and see. I may have never voted Tory, but had I been eligible to do so in 1992 or 1997, on the basis of what I have learned both within the bias of this book and objectively beyond it, I may well have done.
January 8, 2012
I was lucky enough to be in London when I was reading this book. The only problem was that I had been back in the States for 3 weeks before I finished it!!! There was an extraordinary amount of detail that just didn’t interest me (i.e., Major went into an inordinate amount of detail when he talked about Cabinet reshuffles, giving me the names and personal history of every practically every cabinet member.). He also often got into too much details when talking about other political issues: the monetary unit, economics in general, the Balkans, world summits, etc. My mind too often just tuned it out. While the book helped me to learn a lot about Major’s premiership and the landscape of British politics, I was left wondering a lot about the British political system. I know that Major assumed his audience would know this system, but I had many moments where I was in utter confusion. Members of parliament can be elected to represent areas in which they don’t live? The Prime Minister determines when to call an election, and the only requirement is that it be no more than 5 years after a previous one? There is no time between an election and the PM taking over, so a new PM is elected and takes over the next day? As I was reading this, I was really hoping to be able to investigate all of these issues, but that made me start wondering how much of our American system I also don’t understand…I’m sure there is a lot. Yet, I think most Britons understand ours better than I understand theirs. So, I have work to do.
November 16, 2023
This book is about John Major, the politician who took over from Maggie Thatcher as leader of the Conservative Party and British Prime Minister. She had an intense focus, span her views well, but approached it from what was the extreme right of her party. In many ways, she was the British Ronald Reagan, implementing many of his policies here.
Major was more of a centrist, the sort of leader who wanted to get the trains to run on time. In many ways he was more sensible than his predecessor, but had the misfortune of following a popular leader who had left in difficult circumstances. with a rump in the party liking her, and better promotion from those around her.
The book itself was an interesting book. We do genuinely get a sense of where Major came from, what his vision of the future, and why he did whaat he did. It's just the book is very dated now. It was written in the late 1990s, and looked at things in a very 1990s way. That might have been fine at the time, but 20 year later, you're going to be left feeling like you're looking at history, rather than a recent biography.
Major was more of a centrist, the sort of leader who wanted to get the trains to run on time. In many ways he was more sensible than his predecessor, but had the misfortune of following a popular leader who had left in difficult circumstances. with a rump in the party liking her, and better promotion from those around her.
The book itself was an interesting book. We do genuinely get a sense of where Major came from, what his vision of the future, and why he did whaat he did. It's just the book is very dated now. It was written in the late 1990s, and looked at things in a very 1990s way. That might have been fine at the time, but 20 year later, you're going to be left feeling like you're looking at history, rather than a recent biography.
June 30, 2017
For a book I didn't choose to read - it was bought for me at a carboot - I got on ok with it. The only similar one I can compare it with was James Callaghan's memoir which I remember being equally favourably surprised by 25 years ago. My sole criticism would be that it's not really an autobiography - you don't get much about him in it. You get a detailed account of the problems he faced and the decisions he made while he was Prime Minister. You don't get any sense of why people picked him, or how he felt. It wouldn't inspire anyone to follow him. Also, because he makes the pragmatic decision to deal with his time at the very top thematically rather than chronologically, which is obviously necessary for clarity, you don't get the sense of what it must have been like doing everything at the same time. Otherwise, it gives his point of view on the issues of the day and stirs some memories which is what you want it to do twenty years on from when he left office.
June 23, 2012
Considering the amount of detail and the size of book it was well written and really interesting. It changed my views on John Major and definitely he is nothing like the picture we were presented with at the time by 'Spitting Image'. I'm not a Conservative fan but he had some really interesting ideas / philosophies and it is disappointing that so many of the MP's elected under the Conservative banner were more interested in their own self importance rather than being willing to support the party / government that had got them elected in the first place. The views, which may be biased, on 'New Labour' are very interesting and it makes one wonder how they could so easily adopt Conservative policies as their own and get away with it.
A good read.
A good read.
September 30, 2018
I do like the memoirs of former Prime Ministers. I was interested in John Major's book because I was too young to experience his government as it was in power, and remember very little about him except seeing him depicted on Spitting Image ("the peas are good tonight, dear").
But crikey; he had a rough ride...
But crikey; he had a rough ride...
April 10, 2025
It was a whole decade after John Major was evicted from Downing Street when I was born; there’s no doubt this fact has played a part in shaping my opinion on him. Like most Prime Ministers, I can only form a judgement on him based off retellings of his time in power. Overviews and judgements of his premiership have already been established, and it’s impossible not to have your own opinion influenced by them. The general consensus around John Major isn’t terrible, that’s if people know who he is. A majority of younger people would probably scratch their heads when confronted with his name. In fact, I have anecdotal proof of this: when running for head student at my school a mere few weeks ago, I had to do a hustings; when asked “What leader inspires you?” I replied, John Major. The students in the audience who knew his name laughed at my answer - loudly enough to embarrass me into a red faced state - because I picked a Tory, the other students (that being the majority) hadn’t a clue who I was talking about.
Before reading this book, I knew who John Major was, but I hadn’t any thorough knowledge on him. I’d seen him in interviews and, generally, agreed with much of what he had to say. From what I had seen, he was a dignified, rational and intelligent man with a very sensible temperament and character: one which earned him the label, “the grey man”, best epitomised in Spitting Image where he’s a literal grey man.
One thing which stuck out at me in this memoir was Majors sincerity and reflection about being PM, contrast to Unleashed by Boris Johnson which I read only a few months ago - a book which was 50% amusing stories, and 50% excuses and denial of responsibility. There were the occasional moments where it felt like he was making excuses for certain things which happened in his government, whether that be by blaming the media or other means, but overall he’s pretty honest about his shortcomings and failings.
Another element which stuck out to me were the heartfelt and personal moments he shares. I’ll confess, the first few chapters, “The Search for Tom Major” and “From Brixton to Westminster” had some of my favourite moments in. They made up the first 60 or so pages and were really touching. If anything, Sir Johns story is an inspiring and moving story of social mobility; a man who came from very little, failed school, spent years doing bits-and-bobs sorts of jobs, who - through sheer diligence - climbed the ladder into the Commons, and eventually into top job. It was the moments where he talks about his childhood and his time before Parliament that really touched me. Examples include the moment he describes meeting Norma, his trip to Colonial Nigeria, running in Lambeth Council and having his first child Elizabeth.
There’s a level of humbleness to how he presents himself; there’s no exaggeration or flaunting of his achievements. Although, I can’t help but feel he understates some of his ambitions. The way he explains it, it feels like he almost just fell into role of Prime Minister after Thatchers ousting. He explains his yearning to be Chancellor, in fact there’s a whole chapter on it “An Ambition Fulfilled”, yet when it comes to Prime Minister he never really states the driving force behind going for it, other than he was encouraged by some people after Thatcher resigned.
My biggest issue lies with the level of detail, to which there’s a lot. It’s excessive. It’s excessive to the point of tedium. The book is laced with countless names, dates and the very, very specifics of events and circumstances. It puts the book to a halt at some areas as he intricately goes over how his days went. Nonetheless, it’s extremely insightful, yet to a semi-casual reader like myself I can’t help but find some areas dull because of it; it almost dilutes the book.
It’s rather a shame that this is an issue because, at its core, this is a masterclass of a book. As I said, it’s definitely a very insightful peek into the life of a Prime Minister. I’d say it’s one of the best books I’ve read, and certainly an excellent read if you’re into politics or find great interest in the role of PM.
Regardless of the shortcomings of his government, I think John Major is the sort of leader the Conservative Party desperately needs, someone sensible who’s not too right-wing and can therefore appeal to the electorate. Unfortunately, as this book (and much of recent years) shows, the biggest obstruction to that would be the incessant divisions which plague the Conservative Party itself.
Before reading this book, I knew who John Major was, but I hadn’t any thorough knowledge on him. I’d seen him in interviews and, generally, agreed with much of what he had to say. From what I had seen, he was a dignified, rational and intelligent man with a very sensible temperament and character: one which earned him the label, “the grey man”, best epitomised in Spitting Image where he’s a literal grey man.
One thing which stuck out at me in this memoir was Majors sincerity and reflection about being PM, contrast to Unleashed by Boris Johnson which I read only a few months ago - a book which was 50% amusing stories, and 50% excuses and denial of responsibility. There were the occasional moments where it felt like he was making excuses for certain things which happened in his government, whether that be by blaming the media or other means, but overall he’s pretty honest about his shortcomings and failings.
Another element which stuck out to me were the heartfelt and personal moments he shares. I’ll confess, the first few chapters, “The Search for Tom Major” and “From Brixton to Westminster” had some of my favourite moments in. They made up the first 60 or so pages and were really touching. If anything, Sir Johns story is an inspiring and moving story of social mobility; a man who came from very little, failed school, spent years doing bits-and-bobs sorts of jobs, who - through sheer diligence - climbed the ladder into the Commons, and eventually into top job. It was the moments where he talks about his childhood and his time before Parliament that really touched me. Examples include the moment he describes meeting Norma, his trip to Colonial Nigeria, running in Lambeth Council and having his first child Elizabeth.
There’s a level of humbleness to how he presents himself; there’s no exaggeration or flaunting of his achievements. Although, I can’t help but feel he understates some of his ambitions. The way he explains it, it feels like he almost just fell into role of Prime Minister after Thatchers ousting. He explains his yearning to be Chancellor, in fact there’s a whole chapter on it “An Ambition Fulfilled”, yet when it comes to Prime Minister he never really states the driving force behind going for it, other than he was encouraged by some people after Thatcher resigned.
My biggest issue lies with the level of detail, to which there’s a lot. It’s excessive. It’s excessive to the point of tedium. The book is laced with countless names, dates and the very, very specifics of events and circumstances. It puts the book to a halt at some areas as he intricately goes over how his days went. Nonetheless, it’s extremely insightful, yet to a semi-casual reader like myself I can’t help but find some areas dull because of it; it almost dilutes the book.
It’s rather a shame that this is an issue because, at its core, this is a masterclass of a book. As I said, it’s definitely a very insightful peek into the life of a Prime Minister. I’d say it’s one of the best books I’ve read, and certainly an excellent read if you’re into politics or find great interest in the role of PM.
Regardless of the shortcomings of his government, I think John Major is the sort of leader the Conservative Party desperately needs, someone sensible who’s not too right-wing and can therefore appeal to the electorate. Unfortunately, as this book (and much of recent years) shows, the biggest obstruction to that would be the incessant divisions which plague the Conservative Party itself.
December 1, 2023
Glad I read this - important to know what successes are attributable to John Major that are often attributed to his successor, such as a booming economy (which could yet have been attributed to a global phenomenon), Private Finance Initiatives, performance indicators for the public sector through the Citizen's Charter and emphasis on education spending to create a classless society.
As a PM who took the UK to war in Iraq, he was careful to limit and keep to the intended scope, and consult broadly. Strove against a classless society, attacking prejudice.
Not ideological. Deliberative. Engaged others as required, including his opponents - Neil Kinnock, Paddy Ashdown, Gorbachev, Kohl, Delors, Mitterand and held them in high esteem, which enabled him to be an authentic and highly effective diplomat. Talks about how to disagree and address dissenting subordinates civilly.
Sounds like he worked assiduously and his great strength was keeping an open mind and reaching decisions after careful consideration.
Seemed like a gentleman as well. But his major undoing and what helped him fail at creating the classless society he sought was the entitlement that he enabled within his party. Because he stuck by the principle that a colleague was innocent until proven guilty, he enabled the sleaze that plagued his party - from marital affairs to corruption. All the worse because he misjudged his colleague's innocence several times. Had he instilled the idea that MPs' behaviour had to be above suspicion, he would have been a far more effective leader of his party, as his successor doubtlessly learnt. The sleaze that he enabled also highlights the grave conflict the Prime Minister of the UK has in being leader of both his party and of the country simultaneously.
Very relevant to my work, he mentions his Policy Unit a lot.
Very good read. Highly recommend for people my age who lived through the Major years but only have a vague memory of them, and want to dig deeper into the Blair years.
As a PM who took the UK to war in Iraq, he was careful to limit and keep to the intended scope, and consult broadly. Strove against a classless society, attacking prejudice.
Not ideological. Deliberative. Engaged others as required, including his opponents - Neil Kinnock, Paddy Ashdown, Gorbachev, Kohl, Delors, Mitterand and held them in high esteem, which enabled him to be an authentic and highly effective diplomat. Talks about how to disagree and address dissenting subordinates civilly.
Sounds like he worked assiduously and his great strength was keeping an open mind and reaching decisions after careful consideration.
Seemed like a gentleman as well. But his major undoing and what helped him fail at creating the classless society he sought was the entitlement that he enabled within his party. Because he stuck by the principle that a colleague was innocent until proven guilty, he enabled the sleaze that plagued his party - from marital affairs to corruption. All the worse because he misjudged his colleague's innocence several times. Had he instilled the idea that MPs' behaviour had to be above suspicion, he would have been a far more effective leader of his party, as his successor doubtlessly learnt. The sleaze that he enabled also highlights the grave conflict the Prime Minister of the UK has in being leader of both his party and of the country simultaneously.
Very relevant to my work, he mentions his Policy Unit a lot.
Very good read. Highly recommend for people my age who lived through the Major years but only have a vague memory of them, and want to dig deeper into the Blair years.
February 20, 2025
A thorough detailed account of his political career which shouldn't be taken for granted. It lacks the warmth of say Tony Benn's diaries but is far more revealing than the bizarre book served up by Teresa May. He spends too much time on details like 'I went for a walk' or 'I had a cup of tea' when really you are after the politics, because of this the book drags in places, but it come alive around the key issues and for Major, it was Maastricht and Europe. His frustration on the issue was palpable as he tried to walk the tight rope between pro and anti Europeans. He states clearly that he was against a federal Europe believing that the EU should be state led and negotiated opt outs against this but never understood that with the Labour Party being keen on a federal Europe if he left the door open Labour would walk through it, as happened. There is no middle ground on this issue he had to be pro or against but he tried compromise and that summed up his premiership. Tried to please everyone and ended up pleasing no-one. Surprisingly little here about Thatcher. I would think her inventions on Europe made him a little sore but as he still has respect for her he just steered clear. The reflections of the future towards the end of the book were most fascinating, but short and not filled out which is a shame. John writes about Labour 'The constitution has been knocked about with scarcely a thought for the long term implications. The government machine in Whitehall has been politicised as never before. Parliament has been side-lined wherever possible'. Given the the state of UK politics, that was right on the button and marks Major out as a serious thinker and I believe a decent human being, sadly there's no place for those in todays politics.
July 5, 2023
Much like the man, an affable autobiography trailing major events in their life. A fast-paced yet detailed study of Major's self-appointed important moments ranging from Brixton to Thatcher, Black Wednesday to the eventful 1997 Labour landslide. A necessary read for those interested in 1990s UK politics.
August 9, 2024
Wonderfully written with colourful diction. Makes a very strong case for majors government (1990-97) which is often perceived as weak and ineffective by many. I found some chapters to be quite dry and lengthy and therefore not as readable as other chapters (particularly the one on northern ireland which was quite difficult to keep up with). On the whole, however, very well written and thoroughly engaging throughout even if it slows down in some places.
April 10, 2018
Spotlight on a Conservative
This is an interesting insight into recent history, the story of one man's moderate Conservatism and the origins of the split over Europe which had finally come to a great on Brexit. Well worth a read.
This is an interesting insight into recent history, the story of one man's moderate Conservatism and the origins of the split over Europe which had finally come to a great on Brexit. Well worth a read.
October 11, 2019
an interesting insight into one of the leaders when I was growing up.
February 26, 2020
Totally brilliant. A very much underrated man.
Read
March 25, 2023Was awesome story about his life
February 28, 2024
Surprised to find out the man didn't spawn when we has 40.
Read
December 8, 2022Chinese whispers
built for stability rather than speed or comfort
She was a Peter Pan figure who never quite grew up.
My parents encouraged me to read
For me, books were an escape and an education.
built for stability rather than speed or comfort
She was a Peter Pan figure who never quite grew up.
My parents encouraged me to read
For me, books were an escape and an education.
April 14, 2025
De autobiografie van één van de minst bekende premiers in het Verenigd Koninkrijk was een interessant gegeven. In het boek zelf komt Major’s grijze aard al snel boven: zijn titels zijn weinig inspirerend en structuur ontbreekt soms. Niettemin zet hij met een sterk taalgebruik en zin voor correcte geschiedkundige neerpenning wel een goed voorbeeld met zijn boek.
Inhoudelijk vatte ik het boek aan als een grote voorstander van Mr. Major. Als een gematigd, voorzichtig en vaderlijk figuur was hij een voorbeeld voor mezelf als politiek geïnteresseerde. Deze indruk bleef ook bestaan in de eerste delen van het boek, maar taande naarmate de hoofdstukken vorderden.
Er ontstond een immer vergrotende indruk dat Major zijn eigen lot niet in handen wilde nemen, en zeer onwillend stond tegenover het Premierschap en zelfs bepaalde ministeriële posities. Bij de aanvang van zijn premierschap was dit immer de lijn: hij deed dit niet omdat hij het wou, maar omdat het moest. Deze lijn zou hij vasthouden tot het einde, en leek zelfs opgelucht toen hij ‘out of office’ gestemd werd. Dit vind ik geen correcte manier van handelen: het komt neer op zelfbedrog.
Major ontliep zijn eigen verantwoordelijkheid om zijn leven in handen te nemen en te doen wat hij écht wou; door welke redenen dan ook. Deze methode van niet-handelen en ‘soft approach’ zou kenmerkend zijn voor de rest van zijn tenure. Op talloze momenten maakte Major geen beslissingen wanneer hij er wél zou moeten hebben gemaakt. De Europese kwestie en verschillende dissidenten in zijn partij zijn hier schoolvoorbeelden voor. Major’s leiderschap kwam op het einde inderdaad neer op drie woorden: weak, weak, weak.
Zijn intentie om consensus en compromis te vinden was zijn ondergang, net zoals met Theresa May. Soms zijn ‘tough decisions’ vereist, en Major kon deze zelf niet nemen. Naast deze grote tekortkomingen rest er wel een groot plichtsgevoel en ‘will to do good’ doorschijnen door het boek. Major heeft steeds geprobeerd het beste te doen, voor het land, het volk en de partij. Hij had het premierschap in moeilijke tijden geërfd en had af te rekenen met zware crises. Al bij al heeft Major een goede 7 jaar kunnen neerleggen, die in the long run het land ten goede kwamen. Echter heeft hij gefaald om de fundamentele kwesties van het land en partij te beslechten, wat de catastrofale neergang in 1997 verklaarde.
Ter conclusie kunnen we eindigen met twee zinnen: Major did his best. But the best was not enough.
Inhoudelijk vatte ik het boek aan als een grote voorstander van Mr. Major. Als een gematigd, voorzichtig en vaderlijk figuur was hij een voorbeeld voor mezelf als politiek geïnteresseerde. Deze indruk bleef ook bestaan in de eerste delen van het boek, maar taande naarmate de hoofdstukken vorderden.
Er ontstond een immer vergrotende indruk dat Major zijn eigen lot niet in handen wilde nemen, en zeer onwillend stond tegenover het Premierschap en zelfs bepaalde ministeriële posities. Bij de aanvang van zijn premierschap was dit immer de lijn: hij deed dit niet omdat hij het wou, maar omdat het moest. Deze lijn zou hij vasthouden tot het einde, en leek zelfs opgelucht toen hij ‘out of office’ gestemd werd. Dit vind ik geen correcte manier van handelen: het komt neer op zelfbedrog.
Major ontliep zijn eigen verantwoordelijkheid om zijn leven in handen te nemen en te doen wat hij écht wou; door welke redenen dan ook. Deze methode van niet-handelen en ‘soft approach’ zou kenmerkend zijn voor de rest van zijn tenure. Op talloze momenten maakte Major geen beslissingen wanneer hij er wél zou moeten hebben gemaakt. De Europese kwestie en verschillende dissidenten in zijn partij zijn hier schoolvoorbeelden voor. Major’s leiderschap kwam op het einde inderdaad neer op drie woorden: weak, weak, weak.
Zijn intentie om consensus en compromis te vinden was zijn ondergang, net zoals met Theresa May. Soms zijn ‘tough decisions’ vereist, en Major kon deze zelf niet nemen. Naast deze grote tekortkomingen rest er wel een groot plichtsgevoel en ‘will to do good’ doorschijnen door het boek. Major heeft steeds geprobeerd het beste te doen, voor het land, het volk en de partij. Hij had het premierschap in moeilijke tijden geërfd en had af te rekenen met zware crises. Al bij al heeft Major een goede 7 jaar kunnen neerleggen, die in the long run het land ten goede kwamen. Echter heeft hij gefaald om de fundamentele kwesties van het land en partij te beslechten, wat de catastrofale neergang in 1997 verklaarde.
Ter conclusie kunnen we eindigen met twee zinnen: Major did his best. But the best was not enough.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 19, 2022
Laid low with a nasty bout of Covid and hearing the first Minister I was ever a private secretary to speak out about declining standards in public life, was what tempted me to read (or maybe re-read?) this autobiography which the ex-PM signed for my Dad. Much of this saga I lived through which was why I’m unsure, even 700 pages on, if this was the first or second time I’d completed this volume. As with many autobiographies it seeks to set the record straight from the author’s perspective and it is striking how quite so many criticisms, big or small, remained with him and he felt the need to “correct”. This thinner, more sensitive skin was and is both a huge strength and a potential weakness in a political leader. His journey from Worcester Park to Downing Street is a compelling one and I will always have a soft spot for this excellent negotiator who bought me fish and chips in the office many times. Probably too fat a volume with immense detail about the twists and turns of Maastricht fall out, Bosnia and Northern Ireland to constitute a racy read for those not quite as invested as me in the Treasury and economy centric backdrop to much of this tale - but of course there is a little bit of cricket too, the common interest which probably secured my job with him in the first place
September 14, 2009
This was a long read but fascinating for me to go back over the Major government as it was the first one I could have voted for and so I was more politically aware than I was previously.
I do remember that John Major had a very bad press often, and reading the autobiography I sometimes struggled to work out why. He was never a dramatic politician, normally conciliatory and forced to be more so by the Euro-sceptic faction in the Conservative party.
I have greater respect for him as a Prime Minister now than I did at the time.
Though it is said to be a revealing autobiography he conveniently does not mention the four year affair with Edwina Currie that came to light in her memoirs later in 2002
I do remember that John Major had a very bad press often, and reading the autobiography I sometimes struggled to work out why. He was never a dramatic politician, normally conciliatory and forced to be more so by the Euro-sceptic faction in the Conservative party.
I have greater respect for him as a Prime Minister now than I did at the time.
Though it is said to be a revealing autobiography he conveniently does not mention the four year affair with Edwina Currie that came to light in her memoirs later in 2002
September 25, 2011
I wanted to read this book both because of the Speaker Series and because I will be going to London later this year. It has taught me about some of the culture and politics of that great land. Yet, John Major drones on about topics in way too much detail. I usually enjoy the first 10 pages of every chapter at which point he chooses to drag the subject into areas that often don't seem related.
July 27, 2008
looooooong - read it in the days before i would put a book down when bored stiff
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