Born in 1943, John Major was a member of Lambeth Borough Council 1968–71, then entered Parliament in 1979; he was PPS to Ministers of State at the Home Office 1981–83, an assistant Govt Whip 1983–4, a Govt Whip 1984–5, Minister for Social Security 1986–7, Chief Sec. to HM Treasury 1987–9; Foreign Secretary 1989, Chancellor 1989–90, and Prime Minister 1990–97.
