Topic: First Cabinet of Margaret Thatcher
It is April Fools Day, 1982. Governor of the Falkland Islands and High Commissioner of the British Antarctic Territory Rex Hunt receives a telegram from London. “We have reliable evidence that an Argentine task force could be assembling off Stanley at dawn tomorrow,” he reads, “You will wish to make your dispositions accordingly.” One day later, Argentina declares war on the United Kingdom, invading and occupying the Falkland Islands in the South Atlantic Ocean.
Back in London, Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher is struggling. The white majority government of Rhodesia has collapsed, the IRA is running amok, the British economy is in recession, unemployment is rising, and multiple cabinet ministers have suggested she should resign. Some polls see her Conservative and Unionist Party, or Tories, at third, behind both the Labour Party and the increasingly-popular SDP-Liberal Alliance.
As Margaret Thatcher’s first ministry, it is your job to save the Conservative Party from collapse, rally the people against the Argentine dictatorship, and prepare for a British economic miracle. Elections are next year, on June 9, 1983. As the delegates of a CCC, you have a year left to turn the fortunes of your cabinet around.
Meet your Dias!
John Haslun, Director
John is a junior majoring in English and Political Science. This is his fifth year of UCMUN, after two as a delegate, one as Assistant Director for the United States House of Representatives, and one as Director for a United Nations Historical Security Council on the Yugoslav Wars. Outside of UCMUN, John is part of UConn's Film Appreciation Club, a Staff Writer for the Daily Campus, UConn's daily newspaper, and a new student Orientation Leader. In his free time, he enjoys watching movies and the Premier League, reading and writing, playing games with friends, and following politics and international relations. He's excited to have you as a delegate under one of our fantastic directors! Send position papers or questions to John.haslun@uconn.edu”