Read Margaret Thatcher: Power and Personality Online
Authors: Jonathan Aitken
Kesteven and Grantham Girls’ School
31–8
mother, relations with
9
,
12–13
,
26
,
104
religious faith
see
Methodism; religious faith of MT
Second World War, memories of
27–31
shortcomings of official accounts
24–6
sister, correspondence and discussions with
29
,
46
,
60–1
,
67
,
119
,
127
upbringing at Grantham
9–10
,
14–18
,
21–2
,
195
character, and personal characteristics
appearance, femininity and clothing
3
,
34
,
42
,
45–6
,
54
,
64
,
66
,
81
,
94
,
96
,
111–12
,
187
,
241
,
278
,
374
,
479
,
498
argumentativeness
126–7
,
129–30
,
197
,
236
,
264
,
278
,
501
caution
145
,
223
,
244
,
309
,
377
,
380
,
535
,
546
contradictions and paradoxes
2
,
201
,
205
,
228
,
239
directness/forthrightness of expression
2
,
9
,
86
,
197
,
480–1
,
659
downfall, part in
7
,
516–19
,
538
,
554
,
587
,
591
,
596
grudges, bearing of
26
,
37
,
393–4
humour, lack of
96
,
122
,
139–41
,
187
,
196
,
230
,
244
,
257
,
588
insecurity/lack of confidence
2
,
9
,
26
,
40–1
,
140
,
183–4
,
277–8
,
328
,
525
‘Iron Lady’ sobriquet
24
,
184
,
188
,
202
,
240
,
290
,
330
,
475
,
563
leisure activities
375
loyalty to friends
660
on and off duty
277–9
overbearing nature
84–5
Oxford, effect on
52
paradoxes
see
contradictions and paradoxes above
personality shifts
2–3
polarising impact of personality
1–2
,
500
as preacher and attitude to preachers
35
,
43
,
681
reluctance to apologise
218
,
232
,
241
,
502
,
659
strength of personality
6
,
54
,
281
temper
99
,
130
,
218
,
232
,
241–2
,
316
,
490
,
519
,
551
unpredictability
671–2
voice
see
accent/voice above
vulnerability
5
,
183–4
,
187–8
,
196
,
350
,
688
willingness to learn from mistakes
659
work ethic
26
,
42
,
195
,
208
,
263–4
,
279
see also
man-management shortcomings of MT
death (8 April 2013)
689
downfall and resignation
108
,
504
Community Charge (Poll Tax)
154
,
400
,
537
,
591
,
602–4
complacency of Peter Morrison
625–8
coup against MT, staging of
624
,
630
,
632
,
649
,
667
election of new leader
645–9
exit of Howe
608–14
exit of MT
633–52
farewell performance
642–4
Heseltine, part played in
7
,
590
,
621–3
period following
653–67
personality as contributing factor
7
,
516–19
,
538
,
554
,
587
,
591
,
596
,
650
see also
character, and personal characteristics above; man-management shortcomings of MT
reactions of MT to
653–6
resignation speech of Howe (November 1990)
7
,
394–5
,
617–21
Weatherill Speakership misjudgement
394–5
Westland crisis in relation to
see
Westland crisis (1986)
early adulthood and career
bar, being called to
76
as Dartford Parliamentary Candidate
3–4
,
57–61
,
65
,
111
engagement and marriage to Denis (1951)
57
,
68–74
Finchley nomination
see
Finchley, London
General Election of 1950
63–5
as junior minister
98–101
Maidstone rejection
77–9
mentoring by Alfred Bossom
55–8
,
66
,
71
,
78
,
97
political frustration
65
,
67
,
77–8
,
108
respect for MT in Conservative Party
65–6
tax barrister
76–7
vote of thanks to Winston Churchill, seconding (1950)
66–7
early parliamentary career
13
,
51
,
85
,
89
,
97
constituency duties
101–3
Criminal Justice Bill (1960)
95–6
lucky events
87–94
at Ministry of Pensions and National Insurance
99–100
,
155
Private Members’ Bills
87–9
,
93
,
97
support in House
94–9
U-turns
89–91
Education Secretary and Cabinet Minister (1970–74)
appointment (1970)
109
discussions with Edward Heath (1972)
134–7
first actions
126–30
grammar schools, preservation
126–9
and issues other than education
137–40
nursery education, expansion
136–7
relations with officials and ministers
98
school leaving age
128–9
school reorganisation schemes
128–9
family life
culinary abilities of MT
75
,
187
,
261
engagement to Denis
68–70
Highlands holiday
675–8
marriage to Denis
57
,
68–74
,
189–90
maternal tactility and intimacy, lack of
17
,
75
,
190
see also
Thatcher, Carol
Thatcher, (Sir) Mark
nervous breakdown of Denis
106
suffering at expense of political career
75
,
86
,
103–8
,
123
,
133
,
190
theatre visits
230–1
wedding and honeymoon
71–2
foreign policy
see
foreign policy
funeral (17 April 2013)
1
,
112
,
690–1
health problems
in final years
684–8
during finals at Oxford
43
pneumonia
107–8
varicose veins surgery
374
as Leader of the Opposition (1975–79)
BBC debates (1978)
217–18
difficult start
178–86
evaluation of years in
192–3
,
209–10
exchanges with James Callaghan
5
,
198
,
211–12
exchanges with Dennis Healey
201
,
212
Finance Bills, MT’s speeches on
77
‘laughing boys,’ support from
211
,
213–14
,
216
,
222
leadership contest (1975)
156–78
new policies and philosophies
201–9
no confidence debate (March 1979)
224–9
parliamentary speeches
50
party conferences and foreign visits
194–8
privatisation policies
380
televised debates, invitation to participate in
217–18
‘winter of discontent’ (1978–79)
5
,
201
,
208–9
,
211–22
,
282
in Opposition (1964–70)
120
,
124
entering opposition
109–13
Environment, MT as Shadow Minister for
144
,
154–5
Fuel and Power, MT as Shadow Minister for
116–18
as junior minister
4
,
109–11
,
113–18
Iain Macleod, working with
113–15
preparation for government
120–5
Shadow Cabinet
109–10
,
112
,
116–18
,
155
Treasury and Economic Affairs spokeswoman (number two Opposition), MT as
113–15
,
156
US visits (1967 and 1968)
119–20
political beliefs
accuracy of, as factor in downfall
597
anti-communism/anti-socialism
60
,
120
,
197
,
202
,
207
,
389
capital punishment
396–7
civil service
see
civil service
defence cuts
324
economy and taxation
see
under
economic issues