Margaret Thatcher was widely critical of John Major's policies when he succeeded her as prime minister. Photo: Richard Baker
Sir John Major claimed that he treated Margaret Thatcher condescendingly because of his «Victorian» ideas about behavior towards women.
Former Prime Minister, who inherited this role from Thatcher , talked about how his predecessor briefed him and spoke out against his position on issues such as the Maastricht Treaty.
Sir John said that while the relationship was «difficult», he felt he could not fully respond to Thatcher's public opposition due to his Victorian beliefs on how to behave towards women.
< p> Speaking at the Chalke Valley History Festival, the former Conservative leader said: “I had Victorian parents, I had a very strict, strict upbringing about how you behave with other people, and especially how you behave with women». responding publicly.»
Former Prime Minister's father was born in the 19th century and was in his 60s when Sir John was born.
Thatcher's opposition is «never personal»
He acknowledged that his decision to abolish the poll tax and return Lord Heseltine, Thatcher's nemesis, to the cabinet had put him at odds with his predecessor at number 10.
However, despite her public criticism of his policies, he said that their relationship behind the scenes remained relatively amicable, and suggested that her confrontation «was never personal.»
He suggested that she might already be suffering from symptoms of dementia. .
He explained: “From time to time I talked to her, informed her about what was happening, and I took her to lunch, we talked, we went for coffee
> “When we were together, the relationship was completely friendly. But when we were apart, when enough people got in the way, it made things more difficult.”
Sir John reiterated his opposition to the Brexit referendum.
He suggested that there should be a voting threshold requiring a minimum level of voter support for a result to be accepted.
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