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Cabinet Secretaries

Visiting the secret state: Margaret Thatcher and Intelligence

An early task of any new Prime Minister is to familiarise themselves with the UK's intelligence agencies – the Secret Intelligence Service (SIS/MI6), Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ) and the Security Service (MI5). Yet, for all the interest they may have …

Harold Macmillan and the Geography of Power at No. 10

The Cabinet Room at No. 10 Downing Street is dominated by the Cabinet table with its green covering - above it is a chandelier

  Researcher in Residence: Progress Report III My name is Jack Brown and I am the first ‘Researcher in Residence’ at No. 10 Downing Street, based at the Policy Institute at King’s, King’s College London. As part of my role …

9 December 1916: David Lloyd George introduces minuted Cabinet meetings and instigates the Cabinet Office

Sir Maurice Hankey is striding with a sense of purpose. He is wearing a bowler hat, smoking a pipe and carrying a walking stick.

A century ago today, David Lloyd George, the new Prime Minister, held the first meeting of his War Cabinet. In the process he introduced an innovatory practice, and instigated an important institution at the heart of British government. A hundred …

Lord O'Donnell and Coalition Government

Lord O'Donnell, GCB, joined the Civil Service in 1988 as senior economic advisor to the Treasury. Between 1988 and 1990 he was Press Secretary to the Chancellor, Norman Lamont and the Prime Minister, John Major. He was Cabinet Secretary and …

Lord Wilson: 1998 - 2002

Lord Richard Wilson of Dinton, GCB entered the Civil Service in 1966, joining the Board of Trade. He subsequently served in a number of departments including twelve years in the Department of Energy. He headed the Economic Secretariat in the Cabinet …

Lord Butler: Government under attack

Lord Butler was Cabinet Secretary between 1988 and 1998, working with two Conservative Prime Ministers - Margaret Thatcher and John Major - and, after Labour's 1997 landslide victory,  Tony Blair. In this interview with historian Anthony Seldon, he talks about the bombing …

Lord Armstrong on Margaret Thatcher

Lord Armstrong was Cabinet Secretary between 1979 and 1987, working throughout Margaret Thatcher’s premiership. In this interview with historian Lord Hennessy, he talks about his service under  Margaret Thatcher. Lord Armstrong biography The Rt Hon Lord Armstrong of Ilminster, GCB, CVO …