Owners of 140,000 London homes face negative equity. New Art from London at the Walker Art Centre, Minneapolis, features 22 young British artists. Alexander McQueen succeeds John Galliano as designer for Givenchy. Proposed slaughter of 4.6 million cattle over 6 years old in bid to end BSE crisis. Upturn in London property prices begins.
Geneticists announce successful cloning of adult sheep.
Labour wins general election, ending 18 years of Conservative Party rule. A massive rise of women in the House of Commons, form 62 to 120. Drum and bass artist Roni Size wins the Mercury Music Prize. Turner Prize has its first all-female shortlist. Good Friday Agreement between Britain and Ireland aims to end nearly 30 years of violence.