The 1992 General Election

Election news report...

Despite entering the campaign as the underdog, John Major brought the Tories their fourth successive election victory

Shortly after the election, Neil Kinnock resigned as Labour leader and Roy Hattersley resigned the deputy leadership. They were replaced by John Smith and Margaret Beckett respectively.

Although the Conservatives were victorious, they suffered significant casualties along the way. The most notable was Chris Patten, the party Chairman, who had his majority of 1,412 turned over by the Liberal Democrats in Bath. He was later appointed Govenor of Hong Kong. In total, nine government ministers lost their seats including the Overseas Aid Minister, Lynda (now Baroness) Chalker who was defeated at Wallasey.

The 1992 election was also notable for some prominent figures who retired from the House of Commons. Margaret Thatcher, Denis Healey, Nigel Lawson, Sir Geoffrey Howe, Michael Foot, David Owen and Merlyn Rees all stood down.

Betty Boothroyd became the first ever woman speaker in the new parliament, taking the Speaker's Chair on the 27th of April.

See also:

1992 - Conservatives
1992 - Labour
1992 - Liberal Democrats
1992 - Key Issues
1992 - Key Events