The Leadership of Margaret Thatcher

Margaret Hilda Thatcher

“I just owe almost everything to my Father and it’s passionately interesting for me that the things that I learned in a small town, in a very modest home, are just the things that I believe have won the election.” (5)

Margaret Hilda Thatcher, the Daughter of a grocer, was born on October 13, 1925 to Alfred and Beatrice Roberts of Grantham in Lincolnshire, England. Her over-whelming sense of self-confidence and ambition ruled her life from the time she was a small child, through her Oxford years, and during her early years in politics. Her confidence also helped her through the difficult political years as "Attila the Hun”. (2) She is the second daughter. She was brought up by her parents, who were strict. Her home had been ordinary and modest, but her parents were impassioned about her future, and her sister’s. At the same time, they gave them a good education at home as well as in school. She is a conservative, attended Somerville College, Oxford, and became a Scientist (Chemist) and Lawyer.

“Disciplining yourself to do what you know is right and important, although difficult, is the high road to pride, self-esteem, and personal satisfaction.” (5)

“On December 13, 1951 she married Sir Dennis Thatcher, a successful businessman.” (3) Denis and Margaret had two children together, one boy and one girl. She enjoys reading, listening to music, art, and the opera. (6) “Before Thatcher became an MP, she worked as a research chemist for British Xylonite and then Lyons & Company, where she helped develop methods for preserving ice-cream.” (6)

“You don’t tell deliberate lies, but sometimes you have to be evasive.” (5)

Margaret Thatcher became a Member of Parliament for Finchley from October 8, 1959 to April 9, 1992. “Two years later she joined the government of Harold Macmillan as joint parliamentary secretary for Pensions and National Insurance.” (3) In 1964, Edward Heath, the new leader of the Conservatives, appointed her as Opposition Spokesman on Pensions and National Insurance. She later held opposition posts on Housing (Oct. 1965), Treasury (April 1966), Fuel and Power (Oct. 1967), Transport (Nov. 1968), and Education (Oct. 1969).” (3) Later she became Secretary of State for Education and Science and was in office from June 20, 1970 to March 4, 1974. “In October 1970 she created great controversy by bringing an end to free school milk for children over seven and increasing school meal charges.