VMUN 2018
Margaret Thatcher’s Cabinet, 1979
CRISIS BACKGROUND GUIDE
Vancouver Model United Nations The 17th Annual Session | January 19 - 21, 2018
To my esteemed colleagues, Ken Hong Secretary-General It is my honour and distinct privilege to welcome you all to this introductory meeting in Whitehall. Though I intend to conduct my administration differently than that of my predecessor; our goal, as always, is to provide a peaceful and prosperous Britain for all.
Callum Shepard I urge each member of this cabinet to consider comprehensive proposals to address the issues Chief of Staff we shall consider at the meeting. We have been marred by bitter violence, humiliated by an unfit economy, and subjugated by socialist unions: we can no longer sit down and allow our Jerry Jiao great nation to be disparaged. This country isn’t working, and it is our great duty to fix it. Director-General Where there is discord, may we bring harmony. Where there is error, may we bring truth. Andrew Wei Where there is doubt, may we bring faith. And where there is despair, may we bring hope. We Director of Logistics can no longer ignore dangers and deny risks – we must rekindle the spirit of Britain and seize initiative for ourselves.
Best wishes, Jadine Ngan USG General Assemblies Margaret H. Thatcher Prime Minister of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland Eric Zhang USG Specialized Agencies
Dillon Ramlochun USG Conference
Angelina Zhang USG Delegate Affairs
Jerry Xu USG Delegate Affairs
Alan Chen USG Finance
Meghna Lohia USG IT Position Paper Policy
What is a Position Paper? A position paper is a brief overview of a country’s stance on the topics being discussed by a particular committee. Though there is no specific format the position paper must follow, it should include a description of your positions your country holds on the issues on the agenda, relevant actions that your country has taken, and potential solutions that your country would support.
At Vancouver Model United Nations, delegates should write a position paper for each of the committee’s topics. Each position paper should not exceed one page, and should all be combined into a single document per delegate.
Formatting Position papers should: — Include the name of the delegate, his/her country, and the committee — Be in a standard font (e.g. Times New Roman) with a 12-point font size and 1-inch document margins — Not include illustrations, diagrams, decorations, national symbols, watermarks, or page borders — Include citations and a bibliography, in any format, giving due credit to the sources used in research (not included in the 1-page limit)
Due Dates and Submission Procedure
Position papers for this committee are mandatory. The submission deadline is January 7th, 2018.
Once your position paper is complete, please save the file as your last name, your first name and send it as an attachment in an email, to your committee’s email address, with the subject heading as your last name, your first name — Position Paper. Please do not add any other attachments to the email or write anything else in the body.
Both your position papers should be combined into a single PDF or Word document file; position papers submitted in another format will not be accepted.
The email address for this committee is [email protected].
Cabinet of Margaret Thatcher 1979...... 6 Overview ...... 6 Timeline ...... 6 Historical Analysis ...... 8 Current Situation ...... 10
Northern Ireland ...... 10 The South Atlantic ...... 10
The British Economy ...... 11 Initiating Crises/Potential Solutions ...... 11 Portfolio Overviews...... 13
Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher (Position held by committee Director) ...... 13 Secretary of State for the Home Department: William Whitelaw ...... 13 Lord Chancellor: Lord Hailsham of St Marylebone ...... 13 Chancellor of the Exchequer: Sir Geoffrey Howe ...... 13 Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs: Lord Carrington ...... 13 Secretary of State for Defence: Francis Pym ...... 13 Secretary of State for Employment: James Prior ...... 13 Secretary of State for the Environment: Michael Heseltine ...... 14 Secretary of State for Industry: Keith Joseph ...... 14 Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster: Cecil Parkinson ...... 14 Director General of MI5: Howard Smith ...... 14 Chief of the SIS: Sir Arthur Franks ...... 14
Secretary of State for Northern Ireland: Humphrey Atkins ...... 14 Secretary of State for Scotland: George Younger ...... 14 Secretary of State for Wales: Nicholas Edwards ...... 15 Leader of the House of Commons: Norman St John-Stevas ...... 15 Leader of the Opposition: Michael Foot ...... 15 Cabinet Secretary: Robert Armstrong ...... 15 Chief of the Defence Staff: Sir Terence Lewin ...... 15
Vancouver Model United Nations 2018 4 Principal Private Secretary to the Prime Minister: Clive Whitmore ...... 15 Downing Street Press Secretary: Bernard Ingham ...... 15 Bibliography ...... 17
Vancouver Model United Nations 2018 5 Cabinet of Margaret Thatcher 1979
Overview
Delegates, welcome to the age of globalisation. As advisors and colleagues of a Prime Minister who led the United Kingdom with steely determination and formidable conviction, you will be charged with navigating a rapidly- changing political world while defending the interests of your government, your country, and indeed, yourselves.
The official start date of the committee is May 9, 1979 – six days after the 1979 general election – and the official end date is the dissolution of the forty-eighth Parliament. When making potentially controversial decisions and statements, keep the election in mind – political opponents and media will take any opportunity to attack your actions, corrupt public opinion, or sow discord within the cabinet. That being said, not every member of this cabinet is compelled to act in the Prime Minister’s best interests. Each member of the cabinet should consider his own political beliefs and moral convictions when making decisions.
The committee will follow VMUN 2018’s Official Rules of Procedure for Crisis Committees and will run as a perpetual moderated caucus with frequent opportunities to raise points or propose motions. Topic-specific moderated caucuses will be entertained at the discretion of the dais, as they may leave the cabinet unadaptable to new developments in this fluid and quick-paced committee. As in most crisis committees, decisions taken by individuals or the cabinet will be implemented through private or public directives.
When conducting research, focus on the actions of preceding ministries and the political climate in the run-up to the general election. Although this is a historical cabinet, do not expect events to occur as they did in reality; come prepared with an abundance of knowledge and be ready to adapt and innovate.
Timeline
October 24, 1945 — The United Nations (UN) is officially ratified; Argentina and the United Kingdom become Member States.
1947, 1948, 1955 — The United Kingdom offers to have the Falkland Islands dispute arbitrated by the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
March 25, 1957 — The European Economic Community is established by Belgium, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, and West Germany.
December 16, 1965 — The UN General Assembly adopts Resolution 2065, recognizing the sovereignty dispute between the UK and Argentina and calling for a resolution.
August 12-17, 1969 — Large-scale political and sectarian riots across Northern Ireland result in 8 deaths and more than 750 injuries.
July 3, 1971 — The signing of the Communications Agreement with Argentina opens Falkland Islands’ first air connection.
August 15, 1971 — United States President Richard Nixon suspends the convertibility of the US Dollar to gold.
Vancouver Model United Nations 2018 6 January 30, 1972 — 13 unarmed men are shot dead by the British Army at a rally in Londonderry (Bloody Sunday).
February 2, 1972 — The British Embassy in Dublin is destroyed by tens of thousands of demonstrators protesting the Bloody Sunday shooting.
January 1, 1973 — The United Kingdom joins the European Economic Community (EEC).
March 8, 1973 — A referendum is held in Northern Ireland on whether it should remain part of the United Kingdom or merge with the Republic of Ireland.
March 8, 1973 — Twin Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA) bombs in central London kill one person and injure 288.
May 3, 1973 — The Northern Ireland Assembly is created to re-establish devolved government in Northern Ireland.
July 18, 1973 — The Northern Ireland Constitution Act removes the requirement of support of the Northern Ireland parliament to allow Northern Ireland to secede from the United Kingdom.
October 16-20, 1973 — Organization of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries (OAPEC) members raise oil prices by 17%, cut production, and institute an embargo on oil exports to the United States.
November 5, 1973 — OAPEC members announce a further 25% cut to production.
November 23, 1973 — The OAPEC embargo is expanded to include Portugal, Rhodesia, and South Africa.
December 9, 1973 — The Sunningdale Agreement establishes a bipartisan Northern Ireland Executive and a consultative Council of Ireland.
January 1-March 7, 1974 — Commercial electricity users in the UK are restricted to three consecutive days’ consumption per week.
January 24, 1974 — National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) members vote to strike after rejecting a 16.5% pay rise.
February 7, 1974 — Conservative Prime Minister Edward Heath calls a general election to be held on 28 February.
March 1, 1974 — The February 1974 general election results in a hung parliament with a Labour relative majority.
March 16, 1976 — Harold Wilson resigns as Prime Minister.
April 5, 1975 — James Callaghan is elected the leader of the Labour Party and becomes Prime Minister.
August 1975 — Inflation reaches 27%.
October 1975 — The 1973-75 recession is declared over.
June 1976 — The pound sterling reaches a record low of 1.76 against the US Dollar.
Vancouver Model United Nations 2018 7 September 1976 — Callaghan’s government requests a record $3.9 billion loan from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
November 1976 — An Argentine party lands in Southern Thule and establishes a military outpost.
1977 — Argentina cuts off fuel supplies to Port Stanley Airport and refuses to fly the Red Ensign in Falklands waters.
August 1977 — More than 1.5 million people in the UK are unemployed.
November 1977 — A Royal Navy task force is sent to the Falkland Islands (Operation Journeyman).
January 22, 1979 — The largest single day of industrial action in the United Kingdom since 1926.
March 1, 1979 — Referendums on devolution are held in Scotland and Wales; neither result meets the required threshold.
March 3, 1979 — The European Exchange Rate Mechanism (ERM) is introduced by the European Economic Community.
March 28, 1979 — A motion of no confidence in the Callaghan ministry introduced by Opposition Leader Margaret Thatcher passes by one vote (311-310).
May 3, 1979 — The Conservative Party wins a 43-seat parliamentary majority in the United Kingdom general election.
May 4, 1979 — Margaret Hilda Thatcher is sworn in as the United Kingdom’s first female Prime Minister.
May 9, 1979 — Introductory cabinet meeting is held in Whitehall.
Historical Analysis
World War II transformed the political and social makeup of the world. The United Nations was founded to promote international co-operation and avert future conflicts; the triumphant great powers became permanent members of the UN Security Council.1 The Soviet Union and the United States arose as competing superpowers, while the influence of European powers declined and the decolonisation of Africa and Asia began. In 1951, the Treaty of Paris established the European Coal and Steel Community, a group aimed to improve the European economy and avoid future wars by integrating its members.2 Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, the world could no longer be split into two rival blocs, muddying international affairs. The 1973 oil crisis, coupled with the rising sway of Third World groupings, allowed less-powerful nations to assert their independence, becoming impervious to demands from either superpower.
1 History of the United Nations. (n.d.). Retrieved August 8, 2017, from http://www.un.org/en/sections/history/history-united- nations/. 2 Report by the EEC Commission on the implementation of the Treaty of Rome (January 1958–January 1962). (n.d.). Retrieved 7 August 2017, from https://www.cvce.eu/obj/report_by_the_eec_commission_on_the_implementation_of_the_treaty_of_rome_january_1958_januar y_1962-en-a757255d-b121-4d44-842f-1aa861a5f018.html
Vancouver Model United Nations 2018 8 While sectarian conflicts in Northern Ireland have occurred since the early 17th century, the recent decade-long rupture in a relative peace threatens to unravel the very fabric of nations. The Troubles in Northern Ireland is a conflict between largely-Catholic ‘nationalists’ and mainly-Protestant ‘unionists,’ each respectively opposing and supporting the status of Northern Ireland as part of the United Kingdom.3 The 1920 Government of Ireland Act partitioned the island into two discrete jurisdictions with separate parliaments and devolved governments, although both remained part of the United Kingdom.4 The 1919-1921 Irish War of Independence between the Irish Republican Army and British security forces in Ireland ended with the signing of the 1922 Anglo-Irish Treaty, which established Ireland as an independent dominion of the British Commonwealth;5 however, Northern Ireland chose to ‘opt out’ of the new state and remain part of the United Kingdom. Discrimination against the Catholic minority by the Protestant majority once again reignited the sectarian/political conflict in the late 1960s, resulting in the escalating situation of the present day.
Since the reassertion of British sovereignty over the Falklands in 1833, Argentina has protested the occupation of the Falklands by Britain.6 The complexity of the jurisprudence has created various interpretations of legitimacy with regard to either claim. The decline of the British Empire following World War II and the independence of former colonies emboldened Argentina to reassert control over the islands, and successive Argentine governments made the dispute a key part of their domestic and international political machinations.7 While previous British governments have succeeded in establishing stronger ties between the Falkland Islands and Argentina, the question of sovereignty has remained a bone of contention between Britain and Argentina for nearly 150 years.
The 1973-75 recession in the United Kingdom and the rest of the Western world was precipitated by several events: the 1973 oil crisis, the collapse of the Bretton Woods monetary system, the three-day week, rampant inflation, and crippling industrial action each played a role in shaping the economic crisis. Following the declared end of the recession in 1975, inflation remained high,8 the pound remained undervalued, and unemployment soared.9 In September 1976, not long after the resignation of Prime Minister Harold Wilson, James Callaghan, his successor, requested a multi-billion-pound loan from the IMF in order to shore up the British economy.10 The 1978-79 Winter of Discontent had similarly disastrous economic consequences as Britain was paralysed by widespread public-sector strikes.11
In 1979, the present day, Britain faces political, economic, and military challenges from a variety of actors. Adapting to an increasingly global world with new social and political dynamics will test the very fabric of the
3 English, R., & Townsend, C. (1998). The State: historical and political dimensions. London: Routledge. 4 United Kingdom. (n.d.). Government of Ireland Act, 1920. 5 Anglo-Irish Treaty – 6 December 1921 | Treaty. (n.d.). 6 Argentina’s Position on Different Aspects of the Question of the Malvinas Islands. (2012, November 6). Retrieved 7 August 2017, from https://web.archive.org/web/20121106192913/http://www.mrecic.gov.ar/portal/seree/malvinas/homeing.html 7 United Nations Documents on the Falklands-Malvinas Conflict. (2013, November). Retrieved 10 August 2017, from http://www.staff.city.ac.uk/p.willetts/SAC/UN/UN-LIST.HTM 8 United Kingdom, Bank of England. (n.d.). Inflation Report (February 2009). 9 Time series: Unemployment rate (aged 16 and over, seasonally adjusted). (n.d.). Retrieved 6 August 2017, from https://www.ons.gov.uk/employmentandlabourmarket/peoplenotinwork/unemployment/timeseries/mgsx/lms 10 Archives, T. N. (2008, December 30). Sterling devalued and the IMF loan. Retrieved 13 August 2017, from http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/cabinetpapers/themes/sterling-devalued-imf-loan.htm 11 Looking Back on the Three Day Week. (2014, December 12). Retrieved 2 August 2017, from http://www.newhistorian.com/looking-back-three-day-week/2405/
Vancouver Model United Nations 2018 9 Union, while ongoing conflicts between Arab states and Israel, communism and democracy, and liberty and oppression threaten to undermine the co-operation that the international community has striven to preserve.
Current Situation
Northern Ireland Although the status of Northern Ireland within the political entities of the British Isles has been a contentious issue for many decades, The Troubles beginning in the late 1960s have yet to be resolved, more than a decade after its origin.
The reignition of the sectarian and political conflict can be attributed to the repudiation of widespread ongoing discrimination against the Catholic/nationalist minority by the Protestant/unionist majority. Additionally, Provisional Irish Republican Army’s continued campaign for Irish unification has resulted in further acts of violence against British authorities and unionist symbols.12
While the 1973 Sunningdale Agreement attempted to establish a Northern Ireland Assembly and provide an advisory role for the Republic of Ireland in the governance of Northern Ireland,13 it crumbled under public rejection of the Assembly and widespread distrust of the process. Additionally, the status of Northern Ireland as part of the United Kingdom remains officially unrecognised by the Republic of Ireland, and the Republic’s constitution claims the entire island of Ireland as the territory of the Republic,14 further complicating affairs.
If this tenuous situation is left unresolved, it is inevitable that many more lives will be lost as a result of further violent acts perpetrated by nationalists and unionists alike. Whereas deep-rooted historical views on both sides make it extremely challenging to address this issue, the untenable current situation demands swift resolution.
The South Atlantic The overthrow of President Arturo Illia’s government in 1966 triggered the Argentine revolution and plunged Argentina into a decade of chaotic despotism. Ruled by a series of military dictators and plagued by coups, the situation persisted until the military once again seized power in 1976. Branded the Proceso de Reorganización Nacional (National Reorganisation Process), this new junta has governed Argentina up until the present day.15
Although previous governments have succeeded in establishing stronger ties between the Falkland Islands and Argentina, the question of sovereignty has remained a bone of contention between Britain and Argentina for nearly 150 years. While the legal justifications of claims are of little concern to this committee, the political situation both in Argentina and in Britain may well be the determining factor in the success or failure of a settlement to the dispute.
The Callaghan government’s settlement talks with Argentina have proven unsuccessful, and recent provocations threaten the safety and security of Britain’s sovereign territory overseas. In 1976, an Argentine party alit in
12 Violence and Civil Disturbances in Northern Ireland in 1969 - Report of Tribunal of Inquiry. (2016, January 9). Retrieved 4 August 2017, from http://cain.ulst.ac.uk/hmso/scarman.htm 13 The Sunningdale Agreement. (2016, January 9). Retrieved 14 August 2017, from http://cain.ulst.ac.uk/events/sunningdale/agreement.htm 14 Republic of Ireland. Nineteenth Amendment of the Constitution Act, 1998. 15 Argentina profile - Timeline. (2017, June 19). Retrieved August 1, 2017, from http://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america- 18712378
Vancouver Model United Nations 2018 10 Southern Thule (part of the Falkland Islands Dependency) and established a military outpost.16 The Callaghan government opted to take no action against Argentina and allow the base to remain. In 1977, the Argentine navy froze fuel supplies to Port Stanley airport and refused to fly the Red Ensign in Falklands waters, prompting Britain to dispatch a naval contingent to the South Atlantic to defend the islands against an Argentine attack.17
In recent years, the costs associated with defending the Falklands have become increasingly unsustainable in light of the country’s economic situation. Yet, while the political situation in Argentina remains volatile, further provocations may occur at any time.
The British Economy Though the gross domestic product (GDP) has recently returned to levels seen prior to the 1973-75 recession, the British economy is far from strong and stable. Rampant inflation, ballooning to nearly 10%,18 is suppressing economic growth and having a detrimental effect on the lives of ordinary working people. While higher interest rates may slow inflation, they may also constrict economic growth; leading to increased unemployment and an inefficient economy.
The budget deficit is also an issue that is of utmost importance. Government debt has remained at around 50% of GDP for the past decade,19 fluctuating only marginally during that time. If public spending continues at current levels, this figure is certain to climb even higher. Furthermore, in order to reduce the money supply and combat inflation, a large public debt cannot be sustained.
A leaner and more efficient economy is likewise critical to Britain’s success; inefficient and uneconomical public enterprises are injurious to Britain’s economic health and long-term growth. Similarly, stifling regulation of certain industries may prove detrimental to Britain’s economic growth during this challenging time.
The Winter of Discontent from 1978-79 drastically changed the face of Britain’s labour force with the most- sustained and largest-scale industrial action by trades union members ever undertaken on British soil.20 The occurrence of further such action is a strong possibility in the status quo. However, the power and popularity of unions in British society jeopardises the success of structural reforms.
Initiating Crises/Potential Solutions
Issues will arise and develop throughout the conference, but the three most pressing matters at this time are:
• The Troubles in Northern Ireland
• The Falklands/South Atlantic sovereignty dispute with Argentina
16 The Sovereignty Dispute Over the Falkland Islands. (2016, November 11). Retrieved 4 August 2017, from http://www.e- ir.info/2016/11/11/the-sovereignty-dispute-over-the-falkland-islands/ 17 Fenton, B. (2008, April 12). Secret Falklands task force revealed. Retrieved 1 August 2017, from http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1491073/Secret-Falklands-task-force-revealed.html 18 Media, T. (n.d.). Inflation Great Britain 1975. Retrieved 8 August 2017, from http://www.inflation.eu/inflation-rates/great- britain/historic-inflation/cpi-inflation-great-britain-1975.aspx 19 Archives, T. N. (2008, December 30). Sterling devalued and the IMF loan. Retrieved 13 August 2017, from http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/cabinetpapers/themes/sterling-devalued-imf-loan.htm 20 BBC ON THIS DAY | 7 February 1974: Heath calls snap election over miners. (1974, February 07). Retrieved 1 August 2017, from http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/february/7/newsid_4054000/4054793.stm
Vancouver Model United Nations 2018 11 • Economic problems following the 1973-75 recession and the Winter of Discontent
Solutions to these issues include:
• The Troubles in Northern Ireland
o Create Northern Ireland as an independent Dominion of the British Commonwealth.
o Allow Northern Ireland to unite with the Republic of Ireland.
o Devolve Northern Irish governance to a new regional body. • The Falklands/South Atlantic sovereignty dispute with Argentina
o Transfer sovereignty of the Falkland Islands to Argentina.
o Sell the Falkland Islands to Argentina and lease them back for a certain period.
o Freeze negotiations for a set duration. • Economic problems following the 1970s recession and the Winter of Discontent
o Limit the money supply in order to lower inflation and restore economic growth.
o Deregulate industries to spur economic development.
o Cut public spending to drive down the deficit. Additionally, although they will not be a part of the initiating crises, delegates are advised to get a basic understanding of the following issues:
• The state of Hong Kong
• Détente with the Soviet Union
• Racial discrimination and inequality in the UK
• The Arab-Israeli conflict
Vancouver Model United Nations 2018 12 Portfolio Overviews
Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher (Position held by committee Director) Description: The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. Has authority over every member of the cabinet and is tasked with chairing the committee.
Portfolio Powers: Can veto any directive put forth by the committee and direct members of the cabinet to take portfolio-specific actions.
Secretary of State for the Home Department: William Whitelaw Description: Head of the Home Office. Responsible for immigration, security and justice affairs.
Portfolio Powers: May issue or deny visas and passports, control Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs, and direct police/security forces.
Lord Chancellor: Lord Hailsham of St Marylebone Description: Head of the Lord Chancellor’s Department. Responsible for the efficient functioning and independence of the courts. Presides over the House of Lords.
Portfolio Powers: May investigate cabinet members and take specific actions on behalf of the House of Lords.
Chancellor of the Exchequer: Sir Geoffrey Howe Description: Head of Her Majesty’s Treasury. Responsible for all economic and financial matters. Frames annual budgets, determines departmental expenditure limits, sets inflation targets, and controls interest rates.
Portfolio Powers: May allocate funds, and control interest rates with the Prime Minister’s approval.
Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs: Lord Carrington Description: Head of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. Responsible for relations with foreign countries, matters pertaining to the Commonwealth of Nations and the Overseas Territories, and the promotion of British interests abroad.
Portfolio Powers: May engage in diplomatic talks and control the British Foreign Service.
Secretary of State for Defence: Francis Pym Description: Head of the Ministry of Defence. Responsible for defending the United Kingdom and British interests. Oversees the running of the armed forces, contingency planning, and defence procurement.
Portfolio Powers: May exercise military authority, and deploy the British Armed Forces with the Prime Minister’s approval.
Secretary of State for Employment: James Prior Description: Head of the Department of Employment. Responsible for welfare, labour, and pension policy.
Portfolio Powers: May control welfare and state pensions.
Vancouver Model United Nations 2018 13 Secretary of State for the Environment: Michael Heseltine Description: Head of the Department of the Environment. Responsible for housing and planning, local government, public buildings, environmental protection, and transport.
Portfolio Powers: May control housing and planning policy.
Secretary of State for Industry: Keith Joseph Description: Head of the Department of Trade and Industry. Responsible for commerce, innovation, employment, economic development, and science.
Portfolio Powers: May control business and union policies.
Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster: Cecil Parkinson Description: Chairman of the Conservative Party. Responsible for party administration, overseeing the Conservative Central Office.
Portfolio Powers: May, with the Prime Minister’s approval, take specific actions on behalf of the Conservative Party.
Director General of MI5: Howard Smith Description: Director General of the Security Service. Responsible for domestic security and counter- intelligence.
Portfolio Powers: May carry out domestic intelligence-gathering actions, and initiate counter-terrorism operations with the Prime Minister’s approval.
Chief of the SIS: Sir Arthur Franks Description: Chief of the Secret Intelligence Service (MI6). Responsible for foreign intelligence gathering and covert operations.
Portfolio Powers: May carry out foreign intelligence/surveillance operations, and initiate covert missions with the Prime Minister’s approval.
Secretary of State for Northern Ireland: Humphrey Atkins Description: Head of the Northern Ireland Office. Responsible for representing Northern Irish interests and overseeing the administration of agriculture, economic development, education, environment, finance, health, justice, local government, and transport affairs in Northern Ireland.
Portfolio Powers: May, with the Prime Minister’s approval, exercise any of the functions of the Northern Ireland Office.
Secretary of State for Scotland: George Younger Description: Head of the Scottish Office. Responsible for representing Scottish interests and overseeing the administration of agriculture, economic development, education, environment, finance, health, justice, local government, and transport affairs in Scotland.
Portfolio Powers: May, with the Prime Minister’s approval, exercise any of the functions of the Scottish Office.
Vancouver Model United Nations 2018 14 Secretary of State for Wales: Nicholas Edwards Description: Head of the Welsh Office. Responsible for representing Welsh interests and overseeing the administration of agriculture, economic development, education, environment, finance, health, justice, local government, and transport affairs in Wales.
Portfolio Powers: May, with the Prime Minister’s approval, exercise any of the functions of the Welsh Office.
Leader of the House of Commons: Norman St John-Stevas Description: Head of the Office of the Leader of the House. Responsible for arranging government business, representing, and overseeing Conservative MPs in the House of Commons.
Portfolio Powers: May, with the Prime Minister’s approval, take specific actions on behalf of Conservative MPs.
Leader of the Opposition: Michael Foot Description: Leader of Her Majesty’s Most Loyal Opposition. Responsible for representing the interests and positions of the Labour Party and the Shadow Cabinet.
Portfolio Powers: May take specific actions on behalf of the Labour Party.
Cabinet Secretary: Robert Armstrong Description: Head of the Cabinet Office and the most senior civil servant in the United Kingdom. Acts as the senior policy adviser to the Prime Minister and Cabinet.
Portfolio Powers: May make policy recommendations to the Prime Minister.
Chief of the Defence Staff: Sir Terence Lewin Description: Professional head of the British Armed Forces and the most senior uniformed military adviser to the Secretary of State for Defence and the Prime Minister.
Portfolio Powers: May make recommendations to the Prime Minister concerning British Armed Forces.
Principal Private Secretary to the Prime Minister: Clive Whitmore Description: Head of the Prime Minister’s Office and chief assistant to the Prime Minister. Responsible for protecting the interests of the Prime Minister and aiding her in implementing her agenda. Oversees the private, press, policy, political, and appointments offices of 10 Downing Street.
Portfolio Powers: May make recommendations to the Prime Minister concerning cabinet members.
Downing Street Press Secretary: Bernard Ingham Description: Head of the No. 10 Press Office. Responsible for advising the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom on news media and how to manage the image of the British government to the press. The position is part of the Prime Minister's Office.
Portfolio Powers: May release statements on behalf of 10 Downing Street.
Vancouver Model United Nations 2018 15 All portfolio overviews are for guidance purposes only. Detailed position-related information will be communicated directly to delegates as the conference nears.
Vancouver Model United Nations 2018 16 Bibliography
Anglo-Irish Treaty – 6 December 1921 | Treaty. (n.d.). Retrieved August 13, 2017, from http://treaty.nationalarchives.ie/document-gallery/anglo-irish-treaty-6-december-1921/
Archives, T. N. (2008, December 30). Sterling devalued and the IMF loan. Retrieved 13 August 2017, from http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/cabinetpapers/themes/sterling-devalued-imf-loan.htm
Argentina profile - Timeline. (2017, June 19). Retrieved August 1, 2017, from http://www.bbc.com/news/world- latin-america-18712378
Argentina’s Position on Different Aspects of the Question of the Malvinas Islands. (2012, November 6). Retrieved 7 August 2017, from https://web.archive.org/web/20121106192913/http://www.mrecic.gov.ar/portal/seree/malvinas/homeing.ht ml
BBC ON THIS DAY | 2 February 1972: British embassy in Dublin destroyed. (1972, February 02). Retrieved 10 August 2017, from http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/february/2/newsid_2758000/2758163.stm
BBC ON THIS DAY | 7 February 1974: Heath calls snap election over miners. (1974, February 07). Retrieved 1 August 2017, from http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/february/7/newsid_4054000/4054793.stm
Calvert, P. (1989). The Falkland Islands as an international problem and The sovereignty dispute over the Falkland (Malvinas) Islands. International Affairs,65(4), 780-781. doi:10.2307/2622686
Conservative General Election Manifesto 1979. (n.d.). Retrieved 14 August 2017, from http://www.margaretthatcher.org/document/110858
Dunton, M. (2016, June 02). Harold Wilson's resignation, 16 March 1976. Retrieved 7 August 2017, from http://blog.nationalarchives.gov.uk/blog/harold-wilsons-resignation-16-march-1976/
Eder, R. (1973, November 16). 8 Get Life Terms In London Blasts. Retrieved 2 August 2017, from http://www.nytimes.com/1973/11/16/archives/8-get-life-terms-in-london-blasts-ira-members-convicted- in-bombings.html
English, R., & Townsend, C. (1998). The State: historical and political dimensions. London: Routledge.
Falklands: "Transfer of Falklands sovereignty proposed" (Nick Ridley visit & leaseback). (n.d.). Retrieved 5 August 2017, from http://www.margaretthatcher.org/document/112603
Fenton, B. (2008, April 12). Secret Falklands task force revealed. Retrieved 1 August 2017, from http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1491073/Secret-Falklands-task-force-revealed.html
United Kingdom. (n.d.). Government of Ireland Act, 1920.
History of the United Nations. (n.d.). Retrieved August 8, 2017, from http://www.un.org/en/sections/history/history-united-nations/
United Kingdom, Bank of England. (n.d.). Inflation Report (February 2009).
Vancouver Model United Nations 2018 17 Laver, R. C. (2001). The Falklands/Malvinas case: breaking the deadlock in the Anglo-Argentine sovereignty dispute. The Hague: Martinus Nijhoff .
Looking Back on the Three Day Week. (2014, December 12). Retrieved 2 August 2017, from http://www.newhistorian.com/looking-back-three-day-week/2405/
Martin, L. L. (1992). Institutions and Cooperation: Sanctions during the Falkland Islands Conflict. International Security,16(4), 143. doi:10.2307/2539190
Media, T. (n.d.). Inflation Great Britain 1975. Retrieved 8 August 2017, from http://www.inflation.eu/inflation- rates/great-britain/historic-inflation/cpi-inflation-great-britain-1975.aspx
MT's official files as Prime Minister, 1979-90. (n.d.). Retrieved 13 August 2017, from http://www.margaretthatcher.org/archive/PREM19_list7984.asp
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