“The Real Margaret Thatcher” talk by Sir John Coles Wed 7th May 2025 

 

Sixty two people attended this talk by Sir John Coles, (the Prime Minister’s Private Secretary for Foreign & Defence Affairs 1981-84) and there was a real buzz afterwards as people made their way out. We now have a much better insight into Margaret Thatcher, not the Iron Lady, as the press named her, but very much a hard-working, caring, sometimes openly emotional lady who gave her all for her country. We learned how those around her, including Sir John, also worked the long hours that she did, 7 days a week in times of crisis. We heard more about the Falklands War and how Margaret (only ever “Maggie” in the Press) travelled there, strapped in a Lancaster with everyone else, to visit and talk to all the people in residence. We heard how she cried when hearing of the crash of 2 helicopters and the probable loss of life.

We learned of her visit to Beijing during the Hong Kong discussions, a huge 
issue which took years to resolve but she did it. She was the first Prime Minister to visit many countries including, surprisingly, Australia where she was apprecia tively received. Margaret was invited to too many countries to list and was real ly popular but her favourite place was America which she visited many times and where, of course, she had regular meetings with Ronald Reagan. 

An enlightening evening and we thank Sir John for his time with us. There will be another talk in the autumn, details to be announced.

Pamela Mugliston.
Photos by Tony Downing