Who was the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom in 1983?

Margaret Hilda Thatcher was the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom in 1982.

Margaret Thatcher was the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1979 May 4 to 1990 November 28. Margaret Thatcher was originally a research chemist before entering politics. She was elected as an MP in 1959, and became Secretary of State for Education and Science in 1970. She would challenge for leadership of the Conservatives in 1975 and win it becoming the Leader of Opposition. After bringing down the Labour party in a vote of non-confidence in 1979, she would lead the Conservatives to a majority in parliament.

As Prime Minister, Thatcher led the country through the recession of the early 80's, lowering taxes and reducing spending. She crushed the power of the unions and helped privatize several of the nation's industries including coal mining, gas, water, and electricity. In foreign affairs, she presided over the Falklands War, the bombing of Libya, and the beginning of Glastnost. She argued against the formation of the EU, and argued for the independence of Croatia and Slovenia during the Yugoslavian war.

Rising dissent within the Conservative party caused Michael Heseltine to challenge Margaret Thatcher for the leadership. Although Thatcher retained a majority of votes in the first ballot, the split in the party was evident enough to force her to resign. She would later become a Baroness in 1992.

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland contains England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, which do not have separate prime ministers.