The Real Iron Lady: Working with Margaret Thatcher

by Gillian Shephard

Overview

In this remarkable collection, Gillian Shephard—who herself served as a minister under Margaret Thatcher—has brought together a group of contributors with experience of working with Mrs. Thatcher during her time at 10 Downing Street. The result is a revealing record of the way that Britain's only female Prime Minister approached her job—her thoroughness, her extraordinary capacity for hard work, and her rare ability to combine attention to detail with a grasp of strategic issues. This is a unique insight into the working life of the real Iron Lady.

Baroness Gillian Shephard was Secretary of State for Education in John Major's government.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781849544016
Publisher:	Biteback Publishing, Ltd.
Publication date:	07/16/2013
Pages:	288
Product dimensions:	5.40(w) x 8.60(h) x 1.20(d)

About the Author

Baroness Shephard of Northwold was an English Conservative Member of Parliament who served as a Minister in Margaret Thatcher's last Government. She later served in Prime Minister John Major’s cabinet as Secretary of State for Education, and is now a Conservative peer in the House of Lords.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements vii

Prologue 1

1 'Idleness was a sin.' 11

2 'Never forget, dear, that it is the detail which is important.' 27

3 'There was always a little danger about her, apprehension of a damning put-down or memorable eruption.' 58

4 'Maggie had a huge sense of personal loyalty and personal responsibility' 94

5 'I hope that one quality in which I am not lacking is courage.' 111

6 'Once you have been a candidate, everything else palls.' 131

7 'Elle a les yeux de Stalin et la voix de Marilyn Monroe.' 149

8 'She was forced to behave like an outsider for the simple reason that she was one.' 168

9 'With Denis there I was never alone. What a man. What a husband. What a friend.' 206

10 'Women should aim high, in politics not least.' 209

Epilogue: Sic transit gloria mundi 234

Appendix 240

Contributors 256

Bibliography 263

Index 265