(George Edward) Peter Thorneycroft, Baron Thorneycroft

1 portrait of (George Edward) Peter Thorneycroft, Baron Thorneycroft

© estate of Sir Sidney Robert Nolan

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(George Edward) Peter Thorneycroft, Baron Thorneycroft

by Sir Sidney Robert Nolan
oil on board, 1979
48 in. x 36 in. (1220 mm x 914 mm)
Purchased, 1999
Primary Collection
NPG 6495

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Painted towards the end of the distinguished Australian artist's career, the portrait makes reference to the Blue Streak intercontinental ballistic missile, developed by British scientists during the 1950s. Cancellation of the missile's testing programme in Australia caused dismay at the loss of investment, and it fell to Thorneycroft as the incoming Minister of Aviation, to broker civilian use of the missile as a satellite launcher.

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Current affairs

Margaret Thatcher becomes the first woman Prime Minster. She came to power with the electoral slogan, 'Labour isn't working', and set about her aim to reverse Britain's economic decline by reducing the role of the state in the economy and championing entrepreneurship and the free market.

Art and science

Monty Python's Life Of Brian, is released causing controversy, but gaining box-office success and classic status. The film is in many ways a classic farce, with much of its humour deriving from the mistaken identity of the protagonist, Brian Cohen. But, as his mother tells us: 'He's not the messiah, he's a very naughty boy.'

International

Mother Teresa is awarded the Nobel Peace Prize 'for work undertaken in the struggle to overcome poverty and distress, which also constitute a threat to peace.' Mother Theresa established the Missionaries of Charity in Calcutta, India; an organisation that pledged to give 'Wholehearted and Free service to the poorest of the poor.'
Soviet troops invade Afghanistan and begin a 10-year occupation, resisted by Mujaheddin Afghan guerrilla fighters.

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