"The news of her death and the reaction to it reminds us that Margaret
Thatcher was a huge political figure. Much of what people enjoy and take
for granted today we owe to Mrs Thatcher. She will always be revered as a
woman of principle with iron determination, even by those who disagree with
her. People forget that everyone thought Britain was finished in the 1970s,
until she became prime minister. Her premiership was about far more than
defeating General Galtieri and the old trade unions. It was about restoring
national self-belief. We forget how highly respected she is in other
countries, particularly in those which have now become democracies. And as
time has gone by, she has been proved right about so many things.
Bernard and I got to know her quite well in later years. She liked to
come to dinner at our London home to meet younger MPs, candidates and
supporters. I used to drop in to Chester Square for a cup of coffee and a
chat. My younger self would have been astonished at that, and sometimes I
had to pinch myself. I remember going with her to the Women of the Year
lunch when she was given the Lifetime Achievement award. Woman after woman
came up to thank her for leading the way, for showing that it was possible
and to say that without her inspiration they would not have had the
aspiration to reach the top of their chosen profession.
She was a great supporter of Women2Win's work to bring more women into
Conservative politics, and supported and encouraged the organisation and
individual candidates - many of whom are now MPs. Of course, she was a
controversial prime minister, but you could not take her anywhere without
people wanting to meet her, to express their admiration and thanks for what
she did for our country. She was surprisingly humble. She was always very
embarrassed by too much praise. She always said she could never have
achieved anything on her own. She became, and will remain, a British icon
for future generations, both at home and abroad. We were lucky to have had
her leading our country and I feel very privileged to have known her. What a
woman!"
If you wish to record your memories of the late Lady Thatcher, or leave a message of condolence to her family, you may do so using the party's online condolence book- www.conservatives.com/yourtributes