By Right Honorable Sir John Major KG CH
Abstract: This Scowcroft Paper was written as a presentation, and read by Sir John Major on Friday November 22, 2019, at the Bush School of Government and Public Service on behalf of the Scowcroft Institute of International Affairs. Sir John Major served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1990 through 1997. Prior to that, he served as Chancellor of the Exchequer and Foreign Secretary. He was the Member of Parliament for Huntingdonshire from 1979 until his retirement from politics in 2001. He is currently one of the Presidents of Chatham House, and serves as chairman for a number of Advisory Boards.
Right Honorable Sir John Major KG CH
Sir John Major served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1990 through 1997. Prior to that, he served in British Parliament in 1979, and Government in 1983. He joined Margaret Thatcher’s Cabinet as Chief Secretary to the Treasury in 1987; was appointed Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs in July 1989; and Chancellor of the Exchequer soon afterwards.
As Prime Minister, Sir John focused his efforts upon securing peace in Northern Ireland and upholding Britain’s position in the world community as a political, social and economic leader. He also took a leading role alongside US President George HW Bush in the first Gulf War, and survived an IRA mortar attack on 10 Downing Street.
Sir John retired from the House of Commons at the UK General Election in May 2001. He is currently Senior Advisor to Credit Suisse; Chairman of the Advisory Board of Global Infrastructure Management; Chairman of the Campaign Board of King’s College London; and President or Patron of a number of other UK and international charities.
