Gordon Reece
Encyclopedia
Sir
James Gordon Reece (28 September 1929 — 22 September 2001) was a British
journalist and television producer who worked as a political strategist for Margaret Thatcher
during the 1979 general election
which led to her victory over then prime minister James Callaghan
. Reece studied Law at Downing College, Cambridge, and worked in journalism before moving into television production and joining ITN in 1960.
, a Roman Catholic boarding school in Leicestershire. (A contemporary was Norman St John-Stevas, now Lord St John of Fawsley.) He read Law at Downing College, Cambridge
. and decided on a career in journalism. He then worked for a time with the Liverpool Daily Post
and then the Sunday Express. In 1960 he switched to train as a television producer and went on to work for ITN's News at Ten and produce religious programmes and chat shows.
In the 1970 and 1974 general elections he came into contact with Thatcher and helped when she launched her successful bid for the party leadership in February 1975. It was his idea that she should be filmed doing the washing-up, presenting herself as a housewife. By now he had established a cassette-video company, which was taken over by EMI. He took leave from the company to help her with her television appearances. It was her decision to make him Director of Publicity in February 1978. One of Reece's first decisions was to appoint Saatchi & Saatchi Garland Compton as the party's advertising agency in 1978. He worked to soften Thatcher's public image, hiring a National Theatre coach to teach her to lower and deepen her voice, advised on clothing, accompanied her to her television and radio interviews, and made sure that she avoided combative interviewers who would make her strident.
Reece loved to recount how the 1979 election campaign was the high point in his career. His opposition to a proposed television debate between Thatcher and the Prime Minister, James Callaghan
, in 1979, was crucial. Reece dismissed politicians' interests in television programmes like Newsnight
and in the broadsheets, saying "You have to appeal to ordinary voters, who are not very interested in politics."
Within a year of the election victory Reece had left for Los Angeles and a lucrative post with Armand Hammer
, head of the Occidental Petroleum Corporation. For five years he did his best to improve the image of his mysterious and rich employer. On his return visits he kept in touch with Thatcher and newspaper editors.
During the 1987 election he was appointed Margaret Thatcher's adviser for television. But he kept a low profile because he had also been retained as PR consultant by Guinness in their controversial take-over battle with Distillers. He was a frequent visitor to the Thatchers at Christmas Day dinners and continued to act as a troubleshooter for her with the media and with colleagues. He was part of her team of advisers when she failed to retain the party leadership in November 1990. Unlike many of her entourage, he reportedly maintained good relations with Thatcher's successor as Prime Minister, John Major
.
. Around 1979, they separated; she later divorced him. The couple had six children.
in 1986. He had refused an earlier honour on the grounds it was insufficient to his services.
, which would claim his life six days before his 72nd birthday in London
. He traveled to the United States
for treatment and remained there for a considerable period of time until he returned home to finish his days.
Knight Bachelor
The rank of Knight Bachelor is a part of the British honours system. It is the most basic rank of a man who has been knighted by the monarch but not as a member of one of the organised Orders of Chivalry...
James Gordon Reece (28 September 1929 — 22 September 2001) was a British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
journalist and television producer who worked as a political strategist for Margaret Thatcher
Margaret Thatcher
Margaret Hilda Thatcher, Baroness Thatcher, was Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1979 to 1990...
during the 1979 general election
United Kingdom general election, 1979
The United Kingdom general election of 1979 was held on 3 May 1979 to elect 635 members to the British House of Commons. The Conservative Party, led by Margaret Thatcher ousted the incumbent Labour government of James Callaghan with a parliamentary majority of 43 seats...
which led to her victory over then prime minister James Callaghan
James Callaghan
Leonard James Callaghan, Baron Callaghan of Cardiff, KG, PC , was a British Labour politician, who was Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1976 to 1979 and Leader of the Labour Party from 1976 to 1980...
. Reece studied Law at Downing College, Cambridge, and worked in journalism before moving into television production and joining ITN in 1960.
Education
His father was able to send young Gordon to Ratcliffe CollegeRatcliffe College
Ratcliffe College is an independent Catholic boarding and day school in Leicestershire, England. The College, situated in of parkland on the Fosse Way about six miles north of Leicester, was founded on the instructions of Blessed Father Antonio Rosmini-Serbati in 1845 as a seminary. In 1847, the...
, a Roman Catholic boarding school in Leicestershire. (A contemporary was Norman St John-Stevas, now Lord St John of Fawsley.) He read Law at Downing College, Cambridge
Downing College, Cambridge
Downing College is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge. The college was founded in 1800 and currently has around 650 students.- History :...
. and decided on a career in journalism. He then worked for a time with the Liverpool Daily Post
Liverpool Daily Post
The Liverpool Daily Post is a newspaper published by Trinity Mirror in Liverpool, Merseyside, England. It is published Monday to Friday and is published in Merseyside, Cheshire, and North Wales editions, and is a morning paper...
and then the Sunday Express. In 1960 he switched to train as a television producer and went on to work for ITN's News at Ten and produce religious programmes and chat shows.
In the 1970 and 1974 general elections he came into contact with Thatcher and helped when she launched her successful bid for the party leadership in February 1975. It was his idea that she should be filmed doing the washing-up, presenting herself as a housewife. By now he had established a cassette-video company, which was taken over by EMI. He took leave from the company to help her with her television appearances. It was her decision to make him Director of Publicity in February 1978. One of Reece's first decisions was to appoint Saatchi & Saatchi Garland Compton as the party's advertising agency in 1978. He worked to soften Thatcher's public image, hiring a National Theatre coach to teach her to lower and deepen her voice, advised on clothing, accompanied her to her television and radio interviews, and made sure that she avoided combative interviewers who would make her strident.
Reece loved to recount how the 1979 election campaign was the high point in his career. His opposition to a proposed television debate between Thatcher and the Prime Minister, James Callaghan
James Callaghan
Leonard James Callaghan, Baron Callaghan of Cardiff, KG, PC , was a British Labour politician, who was Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1976 to 1979 and Leader of the Labour Party from 1976 to 1980...
, in 1979, was crucial. Reece dismissed politicians' interests in television programmes like Newsnight
Newsnight
Newsnight is a BBC Television current affairs programme noted for its in-depth analysis and often robust cross-examination of senior politicians. Jeremy Paxman has been its main presenter for over two decades....
and in the broadsheets, saying "You have to appeal to ordinary voters, who are not very interested in politics."
Within a year of the election victory Reece had left for Los Angeles and a lucrative post with Armand Hammer
Armand Hammer
Armand Hammer was an American business tycoon most closely associated with Occidental Petroleum, a company he ran for decades, though he was known as well as for his art collection, his philanthropy, and for his close ties to the Soviet Union.Thanks to business interests around the world and his...
, head of the Occidental Petroleum Corporation. For five years he did his best to improve the image of his mysterious and rich employer. On his return visits he kept in touch with Thatcher and newspaper editors.
During the 1987 election he was appointed Margaret Thatcher's adviser for television. But he kept a low profile because he had also been retained as PR consultant by Guinness in their controversial take-over battle with Distillers. He was a frequent visitor to the Thatchers at Christmas Day dinners and continued to act as a troubleshooter for her with the media and with colleagues. He was part of her team of advisers when she failed to retain the party leadership in November 1990. Unlike many of her entourage, he reportedly maintained good relations with Thatcher's successor as Prime Minister, John Major
John Major
Sir John Major, is a British Conservative politician, who served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and Leader of the Conservative Party from 1990–1997...
.
Family
In 1957 he married Elizabeth M. Johnson in ManchesterManchester
Manchester is a city and metropolitan borough in Greater Manchester, England. According to the Office for National Statistics, the 2010 mid-year population estimate for Manchester was 498,800. Manchester lies within one of the UK's largest metropolitan areas, the metropolitan county of Greater...
. Around 1979, they separated; she later divorced him. The couple had six children.
Knighthood
He was awarded a knighthoodKnight Bachelor
The rank of Knight Bachelor is a part of the British honours system. It is the most basic rank of a man who has been knighted by the monarch but not as a member of one of the organised Orders of Chivalry...
in 1986. He had refused an earlier honour on the grounds it was insufficient to his services.
Death
Reece was diagnosed with cancerCancer
Cancer , known medically as a malignant neoplasm, is a large group of different diseases, all involving unregulated cell growth. In cancer, cells divide and grow uncontrollably, forming malignant tumors, and invade nearby parts of the body. The cancer may also spread to more distant parts of the...
, which would claim his life six days before his 72nd birthday in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
. He traveled to the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
for treatment and remained there for a considerable period of time until he returned home to finish his days.
External links
- "Reece, Sir (James) Gordon" biodata (subscription required)
- Obituary: Sir Gordon Reece, The Independent, 26 September 2001 (accessed 1 January 2009)
- Reece's obituary in The Telegraph (accessed 29 July 2011)