Shadow Cabinet of Margaret Thatcher

Thatcher Shadow Cabinet

Shadow Cabinet of the United Kingdom
19751979
Date formed11 February 1975
Date dissolved4 May 1979
People and organisations
MonarchElizabeth II
Leader of the OppositionMargaret Thatcher
Deputy Leader of the OppositionWilliam Whitelaw
Member party
  •   Conservative Party
Status in legislatureOfficial Opposition
277 / 635 (44%)
History
Election1975 Conservative Party leadership election
Legislature terms47th UK Parliament
PredecessorSecond Shadow Cabinet of Edward Heath
SuccessorShadow Cabinet of James Callaghan

Margaret Thatcher became the first female Leader of the Conservative Party and Leader of the Opposition after winning the 1975 leadership election, the first Conservative leadership election where the post was not vacant. A rule change to enable the election was largely prompted by dissatisfaction with the incumbent leader, Edward Heath, who had lost three of four general elections as leader, including two in 1974. After announcing her first Shadow Cabinet in February 1975, she reshuffled it twice: in January and November 1976. Minor subsequent changes were necessary to respond to various circumstances. Thatcher's Shadow Cabinet ceased to exist upon her becoming Prime Minister following the 1979 general election.