This is a list of 1987 British incumbents.

Government

  • Monarch
  • Head of State – Elizabeth II, Queen of the United Kingdom (1952–2022)
  • Prime Minister
  • Head of Government – Margaret Thatcher, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom (1979–1990)
  • First Lord of the Treasury
  • Margaret Thatcher, First Lord of the Treasury (1979–1990)
  • Chancellor of the Exchequer
  • Nigel Lawson, Chancellor of the Exchequer (1983–1989)
  • Second Lord of the Treasury
  • Nigel Lawson, Second Lord of the Treasury (1983–1989)
  • Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs
  • Sir Geoffrey Howe, Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1983–1989)
  • Secretary of State for the Home Department
  • Douglas Hurd, Secretary of State for the Home Department (1985–1989)
  • Secretary of State for Transport
  • John Moore, Secretary of State for Transport (1986–1987)
  • Paul Channon, Secretary of State for Transport (1987–1989)
  • Secretary of State for Scotland
  • Malcolm Rifkind, Secretary of State for Scotland (1986–1990)
  • Secretary of State for Social Services
  • Norman Fowler, Secretary of State for Social Services (1981–1987)
  • John Moore, Secretary of State for Social Services (1987–1988)
  • Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
  • Tom King, Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1985–1989)
  • Secretary of State for Defence
  • George Younger, Secretary of State for Defence (1986–1989)
  • Secretary of State for Trade and Industry
  • Paul Channon, Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1986–1987)
  • David Young, Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1987–1989)
  • Secretary of State for Education and Science
  • Kenneth Baker, Secretary of State for Education and Science (1986–1989)
  • Secretary of State for Wales
  • Nicholas Edwards, Secretary of State for Wales (1979–1987)
  • Peter Walker, Secretary of State for Wales (1987–1990)
  • Lord Privy Seal
  • John Biffen, Lord Privy Seal (1983–1987)
  • John Wakeham, Lord Privy Seal (1987–1988)
  • Leader of the House of Commons
  • John Biffen, Leader of the House of Commons (1982–1987)
  • John Wakeham, Leader of the House of Commons (1987–1989)
  • Lord President of the Council
  • William Whitelaw, 1st Viscount Whitelaw, Lord President of the Council (1983–1988)
  • Lord Chancellor
  • Quintin Hogg, Baron Hailsham of St Marylebone, Lord Chancellor (1979–1987)
  • Michael Havers, Baron Havers, Lord Chancellor (1987)
  • James Mackay, Baron Mackay of Clashfern, Lord Chancellor (1987–1997)
  • Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster
  • Norman Beresford Tebbit, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (1985–1987)
  • Tony Newton, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (1988–1989)

Religion

  • Archbishop of Canterbury
  • Robert Runcie, Archbishop of Canterbury (1980–1991)
  • Archbishop of York
  • John Habgood, Archbishop of York (1983–1995)