John Major

Language level: Pre-intermediate
Standard: British accent
Source: www.speakup.com.br

John Major

Today John Major and his wife live a quiet life, but in 1990s He was the British prime minister and an import figure in international politics.

LONDON BOY

John Major was never a typical British prime minister. Most future prime ministers study at Oxford or Cambridge, but John Major left school at the age of 16 with three ‘0’ levels. Usually prime ministers come from families with money, but John Major grew up in Brixton, a poor area in south London. His family was different. His father, who was 64 when John was born, was a music hall performer.

BANKER

After he left school John Major worked in a bank and his career was very successful. He became interested in politics and became a member of the Conservative Party in Brixton. He entered parliament in 1976. In 1989 he became “Chancellor of the Exchequer” – or economics minister - in Mrs. Thatcher’s government. One year later Mrs. Thatcher dramatically resigned and Major became prime minister. People were very surprised: Major was probably surprised too! Major was prime minister during the Gulf War of 1991 and during the economic crisis of 1992. He continued as prime minister until 1997, when Tony Blair and “New Labour” won the election by a massive margin.

IMAGE PROBLEM

Major’s problem was that he was prime minister after Mrs. Thatcher and before Tony Blair. Thatcher and Blair were dynamic personalities and historical figures, but Major was “the man in the grey suit.” Many people think he was not qualified to become prime minister. Other people say he was “too nice” to be a politician. But today his reputation is good. Many observes admired him when he criticized Ton Blair’s decision to invade Iraq in 2003.

SPORTS FAN

Major left parliament in 2001. Today he makes money as an “after-dinner speaker.” He also has time for his two great passions in life: football – he is a fan of Chelsea – and cricket. John Major was a very good cricketer in his youth.