Thatcher baronets
| Thatcher baronets | |
| Creation date | 7 December 1990 |
|---|---|
| Created by | Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom |
| Peerage | Baronetage of the United Kingdom |
| First holder | Denis Thatcher |
| Present holder | Mark Thatcher |
| Heir apparent | Michael Thatcher |
| Remainder to | heirs male of the body of the grantee |
The Thatcher baronetcy, of Scotney in the County of Kent, is a Baronetage created on the recommendation of John Major for the businessman Denis Thatcher on 7 December 1990 following the resignation of his wife, Margaret Thatcher, Conservative Prime Minister in 1990. It is a hereditary title which passes down the male line with the holder using the style "Sir". The current holder is Mark Thatcher, who succeeded in 2003. The revival of viable hereditary titles was a matter of some controversy at the time of its creation and again in 2004 following Mark Thatcher's conviction in relation to the 2004 Equatorial Guinea coup d'état attempt.
It is the only baronetage to be granted since 1964 (as of 2013)[1] and is one of only two extant hereditary titles awarded outside the royal family since 1965, the other being to Harold Macmillan as the 1st Earl of Stockton in 1984. Hereditary titles were also given to George Thomas and William Whitelaw in 1983 who were without heir and late in life and which became extinct on their deaths.
History
The Baronetage was created by the Queen, on the recommendation of John Major, the incoming Prime Minister, for Denis Thatcher when Margaret Thatcher, his wife, resigned as prime minister in 1990. The Speaker of the House of Commons was pressed to allow a debate relating to the revival of hereditary titles, but referred MPs to Erskine May: Parliamentary Practice and in particular to the guidance that "It has been ruled that the Prime Minister cannot be interrogated as to the advice that he may have given to the sovereign with regard to the grant of honours".[2] His wife was granted the Order of Merit at the same time[3][4] and was made a life peer after she stood down as an MP in 1992.
Mark Thatcher, their son, succeeded to the hereditary title in 2003 which passes down the male line. Following Mark's conviction for his part in the 2004 Equatorial Guinea coup d'état attempt there was pressure from some MP's for him to the stripped of the title. John Major told the Commons Public Administration Committee that he had been lobbied by 'influential figures' in the Conservative Party to make the recommendation, against his personal preference.[5][6]
Thatcher baronets, of Scotney (1990)
- Sir Denis Thatcher, 1st Baronet (1915–2003)
- Sir Mark Thatcher, 2nd Baronet (b. 1953)
The heir apparent is the present holder's son Michael Thatcher (b. 1989)
At present, there are no others in the line of succession.
References
- ↑ "The Baronetage". Debretts. Retrieved 13 April 2013. "The creation of baronetcies lapsed in 1964; in 1990 the Conservative Government announced that this honour would be given to Denis Thatcher, but there have been no further creations"
- ↑ "Points of Order". 18 December 1990.
- ↑ "Chronicle". The New York Times. 8 December 1990. Retrieved 13 April 2013.
- ↑ "Obituary: Sir Denis Thatcher, Bt". The Telegraph. 27 June 2003. Retrieved 13 April 2013.
- ↑ "Pressure grows to strip Thatcher title". The Guardian.
- ↑ "Sir Mark Thatcher". They work for you.