“It is the one event in my life of which I am most ashamed and I have long feared would be made public.”
- #wikipedia
- #quote
- #trusted-source
- #bbc.co.uk
- #corroborated
Figure timeline
John Major
Sir John Major is a British statesman and former politician who served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and Leader of the Conservative Party from 1990 to 1997. He previously held various Cabinet positions under Margaret Thatcher. Major was the Member of Parliament (MP) for Huntingdon, formerly Huntingdonshire, from 1979 to 2001. Since stepping down, Major has focused on writing and his busi…
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
politics · Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1990 to 1997 · politician · bank manager · autobiographer · banker · also John Major, Rt. Hon. Sir John Major, John Roy Major, Sir John Major, Major
Born 29 March 1943 · Q9559
90 published statements · 0 followers
See & hear
Photos & media
14 photos · 1 audio
Listen
John Major on the 25th Anniversary of the Downing Street Declaration
Media from Wikimedia Commons, hotlinked at the source under its own licence — see each file for author and terms.
Live now
In the news
Pulling headlines from trusted outlets — this usually takes a few seconds
Checking the wires…
Feed scan
These are live links, not archived citations — they only join the timeline once a collect run verifies and archives them.
Live pulse
Recent highlights
Most recent outstanding titles, awards, and quotes
- Quote
- Quote
2026· 9 entries
“Perhaps up to a point I was too sensitive about some of the things in the press, I”
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- #wikipedia
- #quote
“life has never been as simple as that”
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- #wikipedia
- #quote
Public attention spiked: 7,315 Wikipedia readers in one day, 3.1× the usual 2,356, with 0 article edits.
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- #attention
- #spike
- #pageviews
NZ Herald: 'a positive move': Assoc Health Minister on St John major incident response | Ryan Bridge TODAY
- #news
- #headline
Public attention spiked: 8,362 Wikipedia readers in one day, 3.5× the usual 2,356, with 0 article edits.
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- #attention
- #spike
- #pageviews
Public attention spiked: 7,498 Wikipedia readers in one day, 3.2× the usual 2,356, with 0 article edits.
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- #attention
- #spike
- #pageviews
Public attention spiked: 16,917 Wikipedia readers in one day, 7.2× the usual 2,356, with 5 article edits. Editors noted: Undid revision 1360624264 by JohnEdzikan (talk)
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- #attention
- #spike
- #pageviews
The Guardian: TV tonight: a major new culture wars drama from the great Russell T Davies
- #news
- #headline
2025· 4 entries
The Guardian: John Major tells Tories alliance with Reform would be ‘beyond stupid’
- #news
- #headline
The Guardian: John Major condemns ‘callous’ aid cuts and growing national self-interest
- #news
- #headline
The Guardian: Keir Starmer needs to crack down on misconduct in politics, John Major says
- #news
- #headline
The Guardian: John Major: Trump’s US isolationism threatens global democracy
- #news
- #headline
2020· 1 entry
“the worst foreign policy decision in my lifetime. It will affect nearly every single aspect of our lives for many decades to come. It will make our country poorer and weaker. It will hurt most those who have least. Never have the stakes been higher, especially for the young. Brexit may even break up our historic United Kingdom.”
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- #wikipedia
- #quote
2019· 1 entry
Reported claimRated Major’s prorogation in 1997 had the effect of delaying a report into Conservative MPs taking bribes until after the 1997 election, whether or not that was his intention. · Full Fact
Full Fact rated the claim “John Major prorogued parliament in 1997 to delay a report into Conservative MPs taking bribes.” Major’s prorogation in 1997 had the effect of delaying a report into Conservative MPs taking bribes until after the 1997 election, whether or not that was his intention..
Shown as reported and rated by a fact checker, not as an established fact.
- #fact-check
- #rated
- #claim-about-figure
2017· 3 entries
That Major was "one of the most honest, brave and sincere men to ever be Prime Minister" and that his time in office compares favourably with that of his successor Tony Blair
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- #wikipedia
- #event
Stated that he now regrets his negative reporting, stating that he himself and the press in general were "grossly unfair to Major" and that this was motivated at least in part by snobbery at Major's humble upbringing
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- #wikipedia
- #event
Stated that Major is "the best ex-Prime Minister we have ever had", praising him for initiating the Northern Ireland peace process, peacefully handing Hong Kong back to China, creating the National Lottery and leaving a
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- #wikipedia
- #event
2016· 2 entries
“s reputation looked better as time went by, in contrast to that of Tony Blair”
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- #wikipedia
- #quote
That Major's reputation looked better as time went by, in contrast to that of Tony Blair's which appeared to be in decline
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- #wikipedia
- #event
2013· 3 entries
Major expressed his concern at the seeming decline in social mobility in Britain: "In every single sphere of British influence, the upper echelons of power in 2013 are held overwhelmingly by the privately educated or the
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- #wikipedia
- #event
Has been the oldest living former British prime minister
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- #wikipedia
- #event
The town of Candeleda in Spain named a street after John Major (Avenida de John Major), since Major has holidayed there for many years
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- #wikipedia
- #event
2012· 2 entries
Awarded Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun (2012).
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- #wikidata
- #award
- #achievement
Oborne had written that Major's government looks ever more successful as time goes by
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- #wikipedia
- #event
2011· 2 entries
Citing concerns with the planned redevelopment of Lord's Cricket Ground
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- #wikipedia
- #event
The BBC's Home editor Mark Easton judged that "Majorism" had made little lasting impact
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- #wikipedia
- #event
2010· 1 entry
“his political career is behind him”
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- #wikipedia
- #quote
2008· 2 entries
But turned down an offer from the Leader of the Conservatives at the time, David Cameron
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- #wikipedia
- #event
Major won the British Sports Book Awards (Best Cricket Book) for More Than a Game
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- #wikipedia
- #event
2007· 2 entries
(More Than a Game: The Story of Cricket's Early Years) and a book about music hall (My Old Man: A Personal History of Music Hall) in 2012
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- #wikipedia
- #event
Became a minor media personality during Major's period in Downing Street, writing a 1994 autobiography, Major Major: Memories of an Older Brother, and appearing on TV shows such as Have I Got News for You
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- #wikipedia
- #event
2005· 3 entries
Awarded Knight of the Garter (2005).
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- #wikidata
- #award
- #achievement
For services to politics and charity, and became a member of the Order of the Companions of Honour in 1999 for his work on the Northern Ireland peace process
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- #wikipedia
- #event
Was elected to the Committee of the Marylebone Cricket Club, historically the governing body of the sport, and still guardian of the laws of the game
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- #wikipedia
- #event
2004· 1 entry
Was more harsh in his assessment, concluding that Major was "A man of evident decent instincts, but limited abilities: as Prime Minister he pushed these abilities to the limit
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- #wikipedia
- #event
2003· 1 entry
With Noble accusing Major of "unreasonable behaviour"
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- #wikipedia
- #event
2002· 1 entry
It was revealed that during this period Major had conducted an affair with Edwina Currie, a Conservative backbencher and later Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Health and Social Security; the affair ended in 1988
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- #wikipedia
- #event
1999· 1 entry
Published an autobiography, covering his early life and time in office, which was generally well received
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- #wikipedia
- #event
1997· 5 entries
Career landmark: member of the 52nd Parliament of the United Kingdom (1997–2001).
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- #wikidata
- #milestone
Major was appointed a special guardian to Princes William and Harry, with responsibility for legal and administrative matters
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- #wikipedia
- #event
Career landmark: Leader of the Opposition (1997–1997).
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- #wikidata
- #milestone
Career landmark: Shadow Foreign Secretary (1997–1997).
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- #wikidata
- #milestone
Career landmark: Shadow Secretary of State for Defence (1997–1997).
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- #wikidata
- #milestone
1996· 1 entry
By June Mendoza, is part of the Parliamentary collection, as is a bronze bust by Anne Curry, unveiled in the Members' Lobby on 16 October 2017
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- #wikipedia
- #event
1995· 2 entries
And intensified as it became increasingly likely that the Conservatives would suffer a landslide defeat in the upcoming general election
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- #wikipedia
- #event
Major resigned as party leader, amid internal divisions over UK membership of the EU, parliamentary scandals and questions over his economic credibility
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- #wikipedia
- #event
1994· 3 entries
And one of John and Norma by John Wonnacott, painted in 1997
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- #wikipedia
- #event
That, "He was a fairly competent Chairman of Housing on Lambeth Council
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- #wikipedia
- #event
Of the modernist and highly media-savvy Tony Blair as Labour leader, who mercilessly exploited Conservative divisions whilst shifting Labour to the centre, thus being perceived by some as making it much more electable
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- #wikipedia
- #event
1993· 3 entries
New Statesman and Society and Scallywag, as well as their distributors, for reporting rumours of an affair with Clare Latimer, a Downing Street caterer, even though at least one of the magazines had said that the rumours
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- #wikipedia
- #event
And installed in 2004; however, this is not accessible to the public
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- #wikipedia
- #event
The Conservatives' popularity did not improve
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- #wikipedia
- #event
1992· 2 entries
“Robin Oakley, "Major rejects devaluation as betrayal of the future", The Times, 11 September 1992.”
- #wikiquote
- #saying
- #lang:en
Career landmark: member of the 51st Parliament of the United Kingdom (1992–1997).
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- #wikidata
- #milestone
1991· 1 entry
Attempting to oust Queen Elizabeth II from power
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- #wikipedia
- #event
1990· 5 entries
Career landmark: Prime Minister of the United Kingdom (1990–1997).
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- #wikidata
- #milestone
Career landmark: Leader of the Conservative Party (1990–1997).
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- #wikidata
- #milestone
Career landmark: First Lord of the Treasury (1990–1997).
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- #wikidata
- #milestone
Career landmark: Minister for the Civil Service (1990–1997).
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- #wikidata
- #milestone
Major stood in the 1990 Conservative leadership election and emerged victorious, becoming prime minister
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- #wikipedia
- #event
1989· 2 entries
Career landmark: Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1989–1989).
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- #wikidata
- #milestone
Career landmark: Chancellor of the Exchequer (1989–1990).
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- #wikidata
- #milestone
1987· 3 entries
Career landmark: Chief Secretary to the Treasury (1987–1989).
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- #wikidata
- #milestone
Career landmark: Member of the Privy Council of the United Kingdom (1987).
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- #wikidata
- #milestone
Career landmark: member of the 50th Parliament of the United Kingdom (1987–1992).
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- #wikidata
- #milestone
1986· 1 entry
Over the Westland affair, challenged Thatcher for the leadership of the Conservative Party
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- #wikipedia
- #event
1984· 1 entry
Career landmark: Lord Commissioner of the Treasury (1984–1985).
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- #wikidata
- #milestone
1983· 7 entries
“Tradução: "O político que nunca cometeu um erro nunca tomou uma decisão.”
- #wikiquote
- #saying
- #undated
- #lang:pt
Career landmark: Assistant Whip (1983–1984).
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- #wikidata
- #milestone
“Original: «We will do precisely what the British nation has done all through its history when it had its back to the wall — turn round and fight for the things it believes in, and that is what I shall do.”
- #wikiquote
- #saying
- #undated
- #lang:es
“In the next ten years we will have to continue to make changes which will make the whole of this country a genuinely classless society.”
- #wikiquote
- #saying
- #undated
- #lang:en
- #lang:pt
- #multi-edition
“David Butler and Gareth Butler, "Twentieth Century British Political Facts", p. 296”
- #wikiquote
- #saying
- #undated
- #lang:en
“I would like the public to have a crusade against crime and change their attitude from being forgiving of crime to being considerate to the victim. Society needs to condemn a little more and understand a little less.”
- #wikiquote
- #saying
- #undated
- #lang:en
Career landmark: member of the 49th Parliament of the United Kingdom (1983–1987).
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- #wikidata
- #milestone
1979· 1 entry
Career landmark: member of the 48th Parliament of the United Kingdom (1979–1983).
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- #wikidata
- #milestone
1978· 1 entry
So that he could devote more time to his constituency duties
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- #wikipedia
- #event
1977· 1 entry
The Major family purchased a house at De Vere Close in the village of Hemingford Grey
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- #wikipedia
- #event
1974· 1 entry
The couple moved to a larger residence at West Oak, Beckenham, and had a second child, James, in January 1975
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- #wikipedia
- #event
1969· 1 entry
And had their first child, Elizabeth, in November 1971
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- #wikipedia
- #event
1968· 1 entry
And, a decade later, to parliament as a Conservative MP at the 1979 general election
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- #wikipedia
- #event
1959· 4 entries
With just three O-level passes in History, English Language and English Literature, to his parents' disappointment
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- #wikipedia
- #event
But he found the job dull and offering no prospects and eventually quit
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- #wikipedia
- #event
Enabling the family to move to a larger residence at 80 Burton Road, Brixton
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- #wikipedia
- #event
Major had joined the Young Conservatives in Brixton
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- #wikipedia
- #event
1956· 1 entry
Major met local MP Marcus Lipton at a local church fair and was invited to watch his first debate in the House of Commons, where Harold Macmillan presented his only Budget as Chancellor of the Exchequer
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- #wikipedia
- #event
1954· 1 entry
John passed the 11+ exam, enabling him to go to Rutlish School, a grammar school in Merton Park, though to John's chagrin his father insisted that he register as 'John Major-Ball'
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- #wikipedia
- #event
1944· 1 entry
Which killed several people, the Majors moved to the village of Saham Toney, Norfolk, for the remainder of the war
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- #wikipedia
- #event
1943· 2 entries
Born 1943-03-29.
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- #wikidata
- #birth
And a plaque commemorating him in Archbishop's Park next to Lambeth Palace, included as part of the Lambeth Millennium Pathway
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- #wikipedia
- #event