CONFIDENTIAL
REPRESENTATIVE THOMAS S FOLEY (DEMOCRAT)
SPEAKER OF THE US HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Foley is widely liked and respected in the House as an intelligent, liberal and fair-minded man. Unlike his predecessors, he has worked hard to establish a good working relationship with the Republicans - notably the President, with whom he gets on well. His only fault (if it is one) is that he is temperamentally rather cautious. Some Democrats would prefer him to lead more aggressively. But he believes
in putting national interest above party politics, and does not seek confrontation for party political reasons. There was a time when he was tipped as a possible future Presidential candidate, but he has always disclaimed convincingly any ambitions in that direction.
Foley is one of the staunchest Congressional friends of Britain, of whose history and literature he is a devotee. He has been a thoroughly helpful influence on the Congressional Friends of Ireland. He likes to maintain contact with British Parliamentarians and Ministers, to whom his door is always open. He has visited the UK (including
Northern Ireland) often.
He was
Foley was born in 1929 of Irish Catholic stock. elected Speaker in May 1989. Foley is married to Heather. They have no children.
North America Department
14 December 1990
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CONFIDENTIAL