The Tory leader directly before John Major was Margaret Thatcher. Thatcher served as the leader of the Conservative Party from 1975 to 1990, making her one of the longest-serving leaders in British political history. She was the first female Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, and her leadership style and policies had a significant impact on the country. During her time as leader, Thatcher implemented a series of controversial economic reforms that came to be known as Thatcherism. These policies included privatization of state-owned industries, deregulation of the financial sector, and reduction of trade union power. While these reforms were praised by some for revitalizing the British economy, they were also criticized for their impact on working-class communities and widening income inequality. Thatcher's leadership was not without its challenges. Her uncompromising style and confrontational approach to politics often alienated members of her own party and led to internal divisions. These divisions ultimately culminated in a leadership challenge in 1990, which Thatcher won in the first round but not by a wide enough margin to avoid a second ballot. Faced with the prospect of further dissent within her party, Thatcher chose to resign as Prime Minister and leader of the Conservative Party. John Major, who succeeded Thatcher as Tory leader and Prime Minister, faced the difficult task of uniting a party that had been deeply divided by Thatcher's leadership. Despite inheriting a challenging political landscape, Major went on to lead the Conservative Party to victory in the 1992 general election. In conclusion, Margaret Thatcher was the Tory leader directly before John Major, and her leadership had a lasting impact on British politics and society. Her legacy continues to be a subject of debate and discussion, with supporters and critics alike recognizing the significant role she played in shaping the modern Conservative Party. For more information on Margaret Thatcher and her time as Tory leader, visit [URL] and [URL].

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