People Like Us: Margaret Thatcher and Me

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The Crisis in British Journalism Byline Times investigates media monopolies, their proximity to politicians, and how the punditocracy doesn’t hold power to account Theresa May does not excite such strong emotions, “but I think that’s because she’s not a powerful woman; she’s in quite a weak position”. I feel it’s a question of getting it out into the open and seeing it for what it is. I think when people see it they start to become much more self-aware. The more we become aware of this stereotype, the more people will recognise it’s wrong.” It seemed Margaret Thatcher had, whether formally or through the vibes she gave off, created a bar on the promotion of women. As Caroline says, “the word had gone out, at least for a period, that she would not work with a woman”.

Caroline began when “you could see these rifts developing on Europe”. The Chancellor and the Foreign Secretary, Nigel Lawson and Geoffrey Howe, were key figures at odds with the PM. The poll tax hadn’t helped, and there was friction over the UK joining the European Exchange Rate Mechanism. Something had to give. She doesn’t use that term. She explained it’s because she’s a mother of a son and she loves her husband, and she loves men, and I think some people feel feminism is a term you use when you’re choosing to battle against men and you don’t like men. I don’t see feminism as meaning that. Caroline set up Civil Exchange in 2011. She is also a founding member of A Better Way, a network hosted by Civil Exchange which is committed to improving services and strengthening communities. She is a co-convenor of the network. Daniel has led numerous initiatives helping government and the public sector to transform policy and bring their services closer to the public. On equalities, international development, democracy, human rights, the arts, the role of civil society, family policy – and in many other areas – Daniel has helped organisations create strategies and communications that deliver real change – winning new resources, improving legislation and shaping the public discourse.

In the wider public service and voluntary sector, she was the Chief Executive of the Equal Opportunities Commission between 2002 and 2007, a statutory body which promoted equal opportunities between men and women; and then moved on to become Chief Executive of Refugee and Migrant Justice, a not for profit organisation providing legal advice to asylum seekers, between 2007 and 2010. Caroline suggests: “There was a particular edge, to the way in which she’d been hated, that I think has to do with her being a woman. I’m not saying it’s as straightforward as saying ‘She was a woman and therefore she was disliked’. She was a powerful woman, and we tend to dislike powerful women. I think we need to confront that prejudice.” Russian Interference Byline Times leads the way in exposing the anti-democratic influence of the Kremlin over the affairs of other nations Like everyone else, I was waiting for this latest series of The Crown with anticipation. I had started watching the drama when it first came out, but I hadn’t been entirely convinced by its merit.

Nevertheless, when names were put forward in 1989 for the private secretary job, she found herself among them – and then going to meet the Prime Minister as the likely successful candidate. Second, it’s not just about money, it’s also about recognising the rich resources that may already exist, many of which may be non-financial, and also giving communities a real say over what happens in their community and about where any new investment goes. He might have qualified as a bus conductor and then rejected the chance of selling soft toys to instead join the civil service, but it was nailed-on that John would become a writer. Eventually. Look at the rich seam of his childhood: Smiles before the storm. Margaret Thatcher meets Norfolk marshman Eric Edwards in 1990. Picture: Adrian Judd (Image: Archant � 2004) People come to our network for a variety of reasons: to gain and share ideas, to pause and reflect, to make new connections and meet people from different sectors, and to work with others to build momentum for wider change.The Better Way is a network of people working together to improve services, build strong communities and bring about a fairer society. Places rich in social infrastructure are naturally preventative, helping to create well-being, generating resourcefulness and resilience and providing social networks that provide support when things get tough. At the Department for Education and Skills, she oversaw expansion of childcare and nursery education Margaret Thatcher and husband Denis on the steps of Ipswich Town Hall during campaigning for the 1979 election. Picture: archant (Image: Archant) Argument Honestly held opinions and provocative argument based on current events or our recent reports.

That said, the show does also capture some essential truths about Mrs Thatcher. The importance of her humble origins are brought home forcefully, and, this as much as her gender, cast her in the role of a natural outsider. The Mrs Thatcher I witnessed, was a living walking challenge to the status quo. I agree that being different was part of her energy and key to her success. However, I don’t believe she ever said the Royal family were “boorish, snobbish and rude, just like those patronising bullies in my Cabinet” – she was in too much awe of the institution. I think there’s this slight phenomenon where you think you have to do everything perfectly. So she always did her ‘homework’; always did her boxes (of papers to read and sign); prepared for every speech really carefully. She put her heart and soul into the job. As someone who worked closely with Mrs Thatcher in the last 18 months of her premiership, I was intrigued at how she would be portrayed. I was the first female private secretary at No 10 – one of five in her private office inner circle – and she let me slip through, despite her alleged ban on giving that role to a woman.She is currently the Chair of Breast Cancer Now, created from the merger of Breakthrough Breast Cancer and Breast Cancer Campaign, Deputy Chair of the Canal and River Trust and Chair of Bwrdd Gland?r Cymru (CRT in Wales); founder of Public Benefit; and until recently a non-executive Director of Cambridge University Hospitals Foundation Trust. She also recentlyacted as Chair of the Commission to the Voluntary Sector and Ageing, She hated it when I told her she must wear “sensible shoes”, but wore them none the less. But it’s true that trips to the bothy at Balmoral were never her idea of fun. I believe the Queen struggled with her strong personality, and Mrs Thatcher in turn did not really know how to behave towards the Queen.