No CrossRef data available.
Article contents
“I must brief you on the mistakes”: When Ronald Reagan Met Margaret Thatcher, February 25–28, 1981
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 12 March 2014
Abstract
An abstract is not available for this content so a preview has been provided. Please use the Get access link above for information on how to access this content.
- Type
- Critical Perspective
- Information
- Copyright
- Copyright © Donald Critchlow and Cambridge University Press 2014
References
NOTES
1. It is beyond the scope of this article to offer a detailed discussion about American and British decline. However, for the American case key works include: Bernstein, M. A. and Adler, D. E., eds., Understanding American Economic Decline (Cambridge, 1994).Google Scholar For the British case, see Gamble, A., Britain in Decline: Economic Policy, Political Strategy, and the British State (Baskingstoke, 1994)Google Scholar; and English, R. and Kenny, M., eds., Rethinking British Decline (Basingstoke, 2000), 1–22.Google Scholar
2. For Reagan and Thatcher, see Aldous, Richard, Reagan and Thatcher: The Difficult Relationship (London, 2012)Google Scholar, and Cooper, James, Margaret Thatcher and Ronald Reagan: A Very Political Special Relationship (Basingstoke, 2012).Google Scholar For summitry, see, for instance, Dunn, David H., ed., Diplomacy at the Highest Level: The Evolution of International Summitry (Basingstoke, 1996)Google Scholar; Colman, Jonathan, A “Special Relationship?” Harold Wilson, Lyndon B. Johnson, and Anglo-American Relations “at the Summit,” 1964–68 (Manchester, 2004)Google Scholar; and Hajnal, Peter I., The G8 System and the G20: Evolution, Role, and Documentation (Aldershot, 2007).Google Scholar For the New Right in a global context, see, for instance, Harvey, David, A Brief History of Neoliberalism (Oxford, 2007).Google Scholar There is an extensive literature about conservatism in the United States and the United Kingdom. Excellent examples include: Gottfried, Paul Edward, Conservatism in America: Making Sense of the American Right (London, 2009)Google Scholar; and Dorey, Peter, British Conservatism: The Politics and Philosophy of Inequality (London, 2011).Google Scholar
3. For a discussion of the “special relationship” during World War II, see, for instance, Ovendale, Ritchie, Anglo-American Relations in the Twentieth Century (Basingstoke, 1998), 39–57CrossRefGoogle Scholar. For Kennedy–Macmillan, Nixon–Wilson, and Nixon–Heath, see, for instance, Dumbrell, John, A Special Relationship: Anglo-American Relations from the Cold War to Iraq (Basingstoke, 2006), 56–59, 86–94.Google Scholar
4. Smith, Geoffrey, Reagan and Thatcher (London, 1990), 11.Google Scholar
5. Ibid., 23.
6. Ibid., 19.
7. Ibid., 20.
8. Ibid., 22. See also Cooper, James, “‘Superior to anything I had seen in the States’: The ‘Thatcherisation’ of Republican Strategy in 1980 and 1984,” Journal of Transatlantic Studies 11, no. 1 (2013): 1–21.Google Scholar
9. The term “higher journalism” was used to describe much of the work written about Thatcherism (as of 1998) in Green, E. H. H., “Thatcherism: An Historical Perspective,” Transactions of the Royal Historical Society, 9 (1999): 17–42.Google Scholar See Smith, Reagan and Thatcher; O’Sullivan, John, The President, the Pope, and the Prime Minister (Washington, D.C., 2006)Google Scholar; and Wapshott, Nicholas, Ronald Reagan and Margaret Thatcher: A Political Marriage (London, 2007).Google Scholar
10. Young, H., One of Use: A Biography of Margaret Thatcher (London, 1993), 250–51.Google Scholar
11. Ibid., 250.
12. See Aldous, Reagan and Thatcher, and Cooper, Margaret Thatcher and Ronald Reagan. The only other examples of historiographical literature about the Reagan-Thatcher relationship are sections in general histories of the Anglo-American relationship. See, for instance, Ovendale, R., Anglo-American Relations in the Twentieth Century (Basingstoke, 1998), 144–52Google Scholar; and Dumbrell, John, A Special Relationship: Anglo-American Relations from the Cold War to Iraq (Basingstoke, 2006), 106–22.Google Scholar
13. Thatcher enjoyed a successful visit to the United States in 1979 to meet President Carter. Despite concerns that she would not develop a positive relationship with Jimmy Carter, the visit was certainly a success from the view of British officials. See, for instance, Sir Nicholas Henderson’s diary, Mandarin, 23 December 1979, at http://www.margaretthatcher.org/speeches/displaydocument.asp?docid=110591 (accessed 26 August 2012).
14. Laffer, Arthur, “Margaret Thatcher’s Tax Increase,” Wall Street Journal, 20 August 1979, 12.Google Scholar
15. Ibid.
16. Evans, Eric J., Thatcher and Thatcherism, 2nd ed. (London, 2004), 21.Google Scholar
17. No. 10 telephone conversation, Margaret Thatcher and Ronald Reagan, 21 January 1981, at http://www.margaretthatcher.org/document/114254 (accessed 14 August 2012). “PR” is President Reagan, “PM” is Prime Minister Thatcher.
18. For further discussion about summitry, see, for instance, Dunn, Diplomacy at the Highest Level, 3–22.
19. The Centre for Policy Studies was the brainchild of Sir Keith Joseph following the Conservative Party’s electoral defeats in 1974. See, for instance, Denham, Andrew, Think-Tanks of the New Right (Aldershot, 1996).Google Scholar
20. Alfred Sherman paper for Margaret Thatcher, 8 February 1981, at http://www.margaretthatcher.org/document/114255 (accessed 14 August 2012).
21. Steering Brief, Brief by Foreign and Commonwealth Office, 19 February 1981, Prime Minister’s Visit to the United States, 25–28 February, File No. AMU 026/7 Part B, Prime Minister’s Visit to the U.S.: Briefing, the UK National Archives (Public Record Office, hereafter PRO).
22. Exchanges about United States and United Kingdom Economic Policy, Brief by HM Treasury, 20 February 1981, Prime Minister’s Visit to the United States, 25–28 February, File No. AMU 026/7 Part B, Prime Minister’s Visit to the United States: Briefing, PRO.
23. Ibid.
24. Brief by Foreign and Commonwealth Office, United States Internal Political and Economic Scene, 19 February 1981, Prime Minister’s Visit to the United States, 25–28 February, File No. AMU 026/7 Part B, Prime Minister’s Visit to the United States: Briefing, (PRO).
25. Ibid.
26. See Cooper, Thatcher and Reagan, 159–67. British Airways was under investigation for collusion, which had led to the bankruptcy of the Freddie Laker airline. Ultimately, Reagan ended a Grand Jury investigation in 1984 that allowed Thatcher to privatitize British Airways.
27. Extra-Territorial Applications of US Anti-Trust Laws, Brief by the Department of Trade, Prime Minister’s Visit to the United States, 25–28 February, File No. AMU 026/7 Part B, Prime Minister’s Visit to the US: Briefing, PRO.
28. Steering Brief, Brief by Foreign and Commonwealth Office, 19 February 1981, Prime Minister’s Visit to the United States, 25–28 February, File No. AMU 026/7 Part B, Prime Minister’s Visit to the United States: Briefing, PRO.
29. Ibid.
30. Brief by Foreign and Commonwealth Office, United States Internal Political and Economic Scene, 19 February 1981, Prime Minister’s Visit to the United States, 25–28 February, File No. AMU 026/7 Part B, Prime Minister’s Visit to the United States: Briefing, the UK National Archives, PRO.
31. Memorandum, Martin Anderson to senior White House staff, “Reaganism and Thatcherism,” 26 February 1981, at http://www.margaretthatcher.org/document/111729 (accessed 13 August 2012).
32. Ibid.
33. Memorandum, Alexander Haig to Ronald Reagan, “Visit of Prime Minister Thatcher,” Briefing Book re visit of British Prime Minister Thatcher, 25–28 February 1981, binder 1/2, box 91434 (RAC 1), Executive Secretariat, NSC: VIP Visits, Ronald Reagan Library.
34. Ibid.
35. Ibid.
36. Department of State, Briefing Paper, UK Domestic Economic Policy, 17 February 1981, Briefing Book re visit of British Prime Minister Thatcher, 25–28 February 1981, binder 1/2, box 91434 (RAC 1), Executive Secretariat, NSC: VIP Visits, Ronald Reagan Library.
37. Memorandum, Alexander Haig to Ronald Reagan, “Visit of Prime Minister Thatcher,” Briefing Book re visit of British Prime Minister Thatcher, 25–28 February 1981, binder 1/2, box 91434 (RAC 1), Executive Secretariat, NSC: VIP Visits, Ronald Reagan Library.
38. Letter, M. S. Berthoud, North America Department to the Western European Department, “Call by the Counsellor at the German Embassy,” 4 February 1981, FILE NO. Amu 026/1 (Part B) (62–137), Prime Minister’s Visit to the USA, FCO82/1107, PRO. Unfortunately Goldschmitt’s first name is unknown.
39. Ibid.
40. Memorandum, Chuck Tyson to Jim Rentschler, Thatcher Visit and Related Thoughts, Official Working Visit of Prime Minister Thatcher of UK, 2/26/81, box 4, Charles Tyson Files, Ronald Reagan Library
41. Ibid.
42. Ibid.
43. Philip Geyelin, “In Thatcher’s Tracks,” Washington Post, 24 February 1981, A13.
44. Ibid.
45. Mark, Ross, “Britain ‘on the slippery slope,’” Daily Express, 26 February 1981, 2.Google Scholar
46. Henderson diary, Mandarin, 18 February 1981, at http://www.margaretthatcher.org/archive/displaydocument.asp?docid=110521 (accessed 14 August 2012).
47. John Warden, “Red Carpet for Winner Maggie,” Daily Express, 26 February 1981, 2.
48. Ronald Reagan, Remarks at the Welcoming Ceremony for Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher of the United Kingdom, 26 February 1981, at http://www.reagan.utexas.edu/archives/speeches/1981/22681b.htm (accessed 17 August 2012).
49. Margaret Thatcher, remarks arriving at the White House, 26 February 1981, at http://www.margaretthatcher.org/document/104576 (accessed 17 August 2012).
50. No. 10 note of conversation, Reagan-Thatcher meeting (plenary session), 26 February 1981, at http://www.margaretthatcher.org/document/113944 (accessed 14 August 2012).
51. Brinkley, Douglas, ed., Reagan, Ronald, The Reagan Diaries (New York, 2007), 26 February 1981, 5.Google Scholar
52. Ronald Reagan, Remarks of the President and Prime Minister Thatcher of the United Kingdom Following Their Meetings, 26 February 1981, at http://www.reagan.utexas.edu/archives/speeches/1981/22681c.htm (accessed 17 August 2012).
53. Margaret Thatcher, Remarks leaving the White House, 26 February 1981, at http://www.margaretthatcher.org/document/10457 (accessed 17 August 2012).
54. See John Warden, “Maggie: Don’t Rush to Russia,” Daily Express, 28 February 1981, 2; and Ian Aitken, “Salvador Dominates Thatcher Talks in US,” The Guardian, 27 February 1981, 1.
55. Anthony Holden, “The Sweet Smell of Summitry Goes Sour,” The Observer, 1 March 1981, 13.
56. Reagan, The Reagan Diaries, 27 February 1981, 5.
57. Holden, “The Sweet Smell of Summitry Goes Sour,” 13.
58. Donald Regan’s criticism of Mrs. Thatcher’s economic policy, Transcript from BBC Radio 4, Today, 27 February 1981, attached to letter from Sir Kenneth Couzens KCB, Overseas Finance, HM Treasury, to Mr. Beryl Sprinkel, Under Secretary Designate, Monetary Affairs, U.S. Treasury, 3 March 1981, at http://www.margaretthatcher.org/document/114256 (accessed 13 August 2012).
59. Ibid.
60. Broder, David S., “Thatcher Meets Reagan; Sharing “Shock” Therapy,” Washington Post, 25 February 1981, A17.Google Scholar
61. Simmonds, Peter, “In Step with Reagan—but not without a stumble,” Sunday Telegraph, 1 March 1981, 17.Google Scholar
62. See http://www.margaretthatcher.org/document/111729 (accessed 13 September 2012).
63. Holden, “The Sweet Smell of Summitry Goes Sour,” 13.
64. Letter, Sir Kenneth Couzens KCB, Overseas Finance, HM Treasury, to Mr. Beryl Sprinkel, Under Secretary Designate, Monetary Affairs, U.S. Treasury, 3 March 1981, at http://www.margaretthatcher.org/document/114256 (accessed 13 August 2012).
65. Ibid.
66. Ibid.
67. See Thatcher’s speech in New York City accepting the Donovan Award (“The Defense of Freedom”), 28 February 1981, at http://www.margaretthatcher.org/document/104584 (accessed 15 September 2012). This speech was naturally favorably reported in the Sunday Telegraph as delighting the American audience, 1 March 1981, 2.
68. Margaret Thatcher, Press Conference for Washington Press Club, 26 February 1981, at http://www.margaretthatcher.org/document/104578 (accessed 17 August 2012).
69. Ibid.
70. Ibid.
71. Ibid.
72. Ibid.
73. Margaret Thatcher, television interview for CBS Morning News, 27 February 1981, at http://www.margaretthatcher.org/document/104473 (accessed 17 August 2012).
74. Ibid.
75. Ibid.
76. Margaret Thatcher, Speech at Georgetown University, 27 February 1981, at http://www.margaretthatcher.org/document/104580 (accessed 17 August 2012).
77. Ibid.
78. Ibid.
79. Ian Aitken, “Thatcher Lectures US on Health of Dollar,” The Guardian, 28 February 1981, 1.
80. Margaret Thatcher, radio interview for IRN, 28 February 1981, at http://www.margaretthatcher.org/document/104583 (accessed 17 August 2012).
81. Ibid.
82. The “wets” were judged to be ineffective in implementing Thatcherite policies. The “wet/dry” label among members of the Thatcher government was also a social division: “wets” being traditional Conservative Party grandees and “dries” typically being self-made men. See Vinen, Richard, Thatcher’s Britain: The Politics and Social Upheaval of the 1980s (London, 2009), 117–18.Google Scholar In the American case, the Republicans controlled the Senate and there was latitude for Reagan to work with the Democratic-controlled House of Representatives. See, for instance, Brandt, Karl Gerard, Ronald Reagan and the House Democrats: Gridlock, Partisanship, and the Fiscal Crisis (Columbia, Mo., 2009).Google Scholar
83. Ronald Reagan, Toasts of the President and Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher of the United Kingdom at the Dinner Honoring the President, 27 February 1981, at http://www.reagan.utexas.edu/archives/speeches/1981/22781c.htm (accessed 17 August 2012).
84. Peter Simmonds, “In Step with Reagan—but not without a stumble,” Sunday Telegraph, 1 March 1981, 17.
85. Margaret Thatcher, House of Commons Statement (Prime Minister, American Visit), 2 March 1981, at http://www.margaretthatcher.org/document/104585 (accessed 17 August 2012).
86. Ibid.
87. Ibid.
88. Letter, Margaret Thatcher to Sir Nicholas Henderson, 5 March 1981, at http://www.margaretthatcher.org/document/114259 (accessed 13 August 2012).
89. Memorandum, Richard V. Allen to President Reagan, “Britain Drifts,” Friday 31 July 1981, at http://www.margaretthatcher.org/archive/displaydocument.asp?docid=110522 (accessed 13 August 2012).
90. Ibid. The Labour Party disagreed with much of the Reagan adminsitration’s foreign policy and inherently opposed the philosophy driving its domestic policy. Similarly, the Reagan administration viewed Labour’s policy of unilateral nuclear disarmament as potentially disastrous for the Western alliance. This was to such an extent that Neil Ninnock (Foot’s successor as Labour Party leader) received a difficult reception in a visit prior to the 1987 UK general election. See Smith, Reagan and Thatcher, 228.
91. Memorandum, Richard V. Allen to President Reagan, “Your meeting with U.S. Ambassador to the United Kingdom,” 9 November 1981, at http://www.margaretthatcher.org/archive/displaydocument.asp?docid=110524 (accessed 14 August 2012).
92. Memorandum, Richard V. Allen to President Reagan, “Your Meeting with John Louis: A Few Key Points for the Record,” 9 November 1981, at http://www.margaretthatcher.org/archive/displaydocument.asp?docid=110524 (accessed 4 August 2012).
93. Meltzer, Allan H., “Economic Scene: Policy in the USA and Britain,” New York Times, 7 August 1981, D2.Google Scholar
94. Jay, Anthony and Lynn, Jonathan, The Complete Yes Prime Minister (London, 1989), 340.Google Scholar
95. Don Oberdorfer, “Anglo Accord; U.S.-British Accord Proclaimed ‘On All Major Strategic Issues’; “U.S. Proclaims Basic Agreement ‘On All Strategic Issues,’” 1 March 1981, A1.
96. Aldous, Reagan and Thatcher, 41–42.
97. Daily Express Opinion, “Face to face, eye to eye,” Daily Express, 26 February 1981, 8.
98. Aitken, “Thatcher Lectures US on Health of Dollar,” 1.
99. Oberdorfer, “Anglo Accord,” A1.