1997 in the United Kingdom

Image:Flag of the United Kingdom.svg 1997 in the United Kingdom: Image:Flag of the United Kingdom.svg
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1997 English cricket season
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1997 in British music

Events from the year 1997 in the United Kingdom.

[edit] Events

February 14- Jurors at the inquest into the death of Stephen Lawrence rule that the black teenager was unlawfully killed "in a completely unprovoked racist attack by five white youths".
May 1- United Kingdom general election, 1997
- The Labour Party under Tony Blair defeat the incumbent Conservative Party under Prime Minister John Major to win the election in a landslide result, winning 418 seats
- Several high profile Conservative MPs, including 7 Cabinet ministers lose their seats, as do all Conservative MPs in Scotland and Wales.
May 2- Tony Blair is appointed Prime Minister of the United Kingdom by The Queen.
May 6 New Chancellor of the Exchequer, Gordon Brown announces that the Bank of England, central bank of the UK, is to assume independent responsibility for UK monetary policy.
June 2- The Halifax Building Society floats on the London Stock Exchange. Over 7.5 million customers of the Society become shareholders of the new bank, the largest extension of shareholders in UK history
June 30- Publication of first Harry Potter novel Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone
July 1- The UK hands sovereignty of Hong Kong, the largest remaining British colony, to the People's Republic of China as the 99 years lease on the territory formally ends.
June 19- McDonalds wins the "McLibel" libel case against two environmental campaigners.
July 19- The IRA declares a ceasefire.

August 31- Diana, Princess of Wales is killed in a car crash in Paris sending the country into a period of national mourning.
September 5- The Queen makes a nationwide broadcast in tribute to Diana, Princess of Wales, following widespread criticism of the Royal Family's response to her death.
September 6- The funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales takes place at Westminster Abbey, London followed by a private burial at the estate of the Earl Spencer in Althorp, Nottinghamshire. The Earl Spencer, brother of Diana, attacks the Royal Family's treatment of Diana in his funeral eulogy.
September 11- Referendum in Scotland on the creation of a national Parliament with devolved powers takes place. Voters back the plans for a national Parliament with limited tax raising powers.
September 18- Referendum in Wales on the creation of a national Assembly takes place. Voters back the plans.
September 19- Southall rail crash- passenger train collides with a freight train at Southall, West London killing six people.
December 19- William Hague marries Ffion Jenkins