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Title Private secretaries to the Prime Minister : foreign affairs from Churchill to Thatcher / edited by Andrew Holt and Warren Dockter
Published London : Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group, 2017

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Description 1 online resource
Series Routledge studies in modern British history
Routledge studies in modern British history.
Contents Foreword -- Acknowledgements -- Introduction -- 1. Managing a giant -- 2. Advising the un-advisable -- 3. Philip de Zulueta -- 4. Oliver Wright -- 5. Michael Palliser -- 6. 'Sound and comfortable men' -- 7. Patrick Wright and Bryan Cartledge -- 8. Margaret Thatcher's Private Secretaries for Foreign Affairs, 1979-1984 -- Conclusion: The Prime Minister's Private Office from John Martin to Chris Martin -- Appendix I: Private Secretaries to the Prime Minister with responsibility for foreign affairs, 1945-2015 -- Appendix II: Principal Private Secretaries to the Prime Minister, 1945-2015 -- Index
Summary "The importance of the Prime Minister in British foreign policy decision-making has long been noted by historians. However, while much attention has been given to high-level contacts between leaders and to the roles played by the premiers themselves, much less is known about the people advising and influencing them. In providing day-to-day assistance to the Prime Minister, a Private Secretary could wield significant influence on policy outcomes. This book examines the activities of those who advised prime ministers from Winston Churchill (1951-55) to Margaret Thatcher during her first administration (1979-83). Each chapter considers British foreign policy and assesses the influence of the specific advisers. For each office holder, particular attention is paid to a number of key themes. Firstly, their relationship with the Prime Minister is considered. A strong personal relationship of trust and respect could lead to an official wielding much greater influence. This could be especially relevant when an adviser served under two different leaders, often from different political parties. It also helps to shed light on the conduct of foreign policy by each premier. Secondly, the attitudes towards the adviser from the Foreign Office are examined. The Foreign Office traditionally enjoyed great autonomy in the making of British foreign policy and was sensitive to encroachments by Downing Street. Finally, each chapter explores the role of the adviser in the key foreign policy events and discussions of the day. Covering a fascinating 30-year period in post-war British political history, this collection broadens our understanding of the subject, and underlines the different ways influence could be brought to bear on government policy."--Provided by publisher
Bibliography Includes bibliographical references and index
Notes Online resource; title from PDF title page (EBSCO, viewed August 11, 2017)
Subject Prime ministers -- Great Britain -- History -- 20th century
Foreign ministers -- Great Britain -- History -- 20th century
POLITICAL SCIENCE -- Government -- International.
POLITICAL SCIENCE -- International Relations -- General.
Diplomatic relations
Foreign ministers
Politics and government
Prime ministers
SUBJECT Great Britain -- Foreign relations -- 1945- http://id.loc.gov/authorities/subjects/sh85056717
Great Britain -- Politics and government -- 1945- http://id.loc.gov/authorities/subjects/sh85056922
Subject Great Britain
Genre/Form History
Form Electronic book
Author Holt, Andrew, 1982- editor.
Dockter, Warren, editor.
ISBN 9781317075639
1317075633
9781315602233
1315602237
9781317075646
1317075641
9781317075622
1317075625