Sixteen people have been Chancellor of the Exchequer since May 1979
The Chancellor of the Exchequer is the minister who runs the Treasury and presents the Budget. Since Margaret Thatcher's first government took office in May 1979, sixteen people have held the job. Tenures vary widely: one Chancellor served for ten years, while in 2022 four people held the office within a single year. Three of the sixteen went on to become Prime Minister. The steps after the full list group the sixteen by the Prime Minister they served.
A precise answer names the Chancellor and the date
When you use a fiscal event as evidence, name the Chancellor and date it: the mini-budget of 23 September 2022, presented by the Chancellor of the day, not simply "a government announcement". A named, dated example is precise evidence, and precision is what analysis marks reward. Check the current holder before the exam: the office last changed hands on 20 July 2026.
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Can you name every Chancellor of the Exchequer since May 1979?
Sixteen Chancellors from Geoffrey Howe, appointed in May 1979, to John Healey, appointed on 20 July 2026. Nigel Lawson, Gordon Brown and George Osborne each held the office for six years or more. In 2022 four people held it within a single year.
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Can you name Margaret Thatcher's three Chancellors?
Three Chancellors served Margaret Thatcher. The third, John Major, succeeded her as Prime Minister in 1990.
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Can you name the two Chancellors appointed between 1990 and 1997?
John Major's two Chancellors: Norman Lamont from 1990, then Kenneth Clarke from 1993.
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Can you name the two Labour Chancellors between 1997 and 2010?
Gordon Brown served Tony Blair for ten years. Alistair Darling served Brown once Brown became Prime Minister in 2007.
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Can you name the two Conservative Chancellors between 2010 and 2019?
George Osborne served David Cameron throughout, through the coalition and the majority government after it. Philip Hammond was Theresa May's only Chancellor.
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Can you name the five Chancellors between 2019 and 2024?
Five Chancellors in under five years under three Prime Ministers. Two of the five, Nadhim Zahawi and Kwasi Kwarteng, each held the office for less than three months in 2022.
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Can you name the two Chancellors since the 2024 election, including the current one?
Rachel Reeves was Keir Starmer's only Chancellor. John Healey became Chancellor on 20 July 2026, when Andy Burnham became Prime Minister.