The Australian-born artist June Mendoza began her artistic career at a young age. Among her many commissions, Mendoza has painted Baroness Margaret Thatcher and the group portrait set within the House of Commons Chamber in 1986 (WOA 3232).

'Portrait painting is a fascinating profession. You work with so many different people from every walk of life and in so many different parts of the world… its an exciting, enriching business.'

John Major became MP for Huntingdon at the 1979 election. He later joined the cabinet as Chief Secretary to the Treasury and later Secretary of State to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office then Chancellor of the Exchequer and HM Treasury. In 1990 he was elected as Leader of the Conservative Party and became Prime Minister, the youngest for a century, in November 1990 remaining in post until May 1997.