1932.3.11.–2023.4.3.
○ Natural death
Thatcher's Chancellor of the Exchequer behind the Medium Term Financial Strategy, privatisation and the "Lawson Boom"
Born into a Jewish family in Hampstead, London, Lawson read philosophy, politics and economics at Oxford and became a journalist, editing The Spectator. He entered Parliament in 1974. As Financial Secretary to the Treasury from 1979 he pressed for the abolition of exchange controls and the publication of the Medium Term Financial Strategy, and as Energy Secretary from 1981 he prepared for a strike in the coal industry. As Chancellor of the Exchequer from 1983 to 1989 he drove privatisation and cut the basic and top rates of income tax, and the City was deregulated in the "Big Bang" of 1986. The boom and inflation that followed his tax cuts are known as the "Lawson Boom". He resigned in 1989 over exchange-rate policy and later chaired a climate change denial group.
Also known as: Baron Lawson of Blaby · Lord Lawson
Activities and affiliations
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1974–1992
United Kingdom state institutionsMP for Blaby
Legislature and state representation -
1979–1983
United Kingdom state institutionsFinancial Secretary to the Treasury; Energy Secretary
Economy, finance and planning -
1983–1989
United Kingdom state institutionsChancellor of the ExchequerMain
Economy, finance and planning -
Conservative Party (United Kingdom)
Economy, finance and planning
Career Timeline
- 1966–1970Editor of The Spectator
- 1974.02–1992MP for Blaby
- 1979.05–1981.09Financial Secretary to the Treasury
- 1981.09–1983.06Secretary of State for Energy
- 1983.06–1989.10Chancellor of the Exchequer