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MARCH 29, 1979 remains as one of the most dramatic dates in the United Kingdom’s (UK) political history of the last century. On that day, prime minister James Callaghan lost a motion of no confidence by 311-310.
Callaghan was said to be “extremely well qualified to become prime minister”. Prior to taking office, he had held the positions of chancellor of the exchequer, foreign secretary and home secretary. When he became Prime Minister in April 1976, he was the only individual to have held all four of the “great offices of state”.
But 1979 was exceptionally difficult for the UK. There was widespread industrial unrest. The winter of 1978-79 was called the “winter of discontent” as trade union strikes grounded the kingdom’s public services to a halt. It was against this economic backdrop that the vote of no confidence was held.
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| UPDATED: 12:45, Thu, Feb 4, 2021
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