People Like Us: Margaret Thatcher and Me

Having lived through the social and economic devastation of the Thatcher era - the legacy of which we still endure - this account of its last phase by a Left-wing feminist civil servant, is compelling reading. The author Caroline Slocock was the first women Private Secretary at No10 and went on to be a hugely effective Chief Executive of the Equal Opportunities Commission. Very much not ‘one of us’, and ultimately let down badly by Mrs Thatcher, Slocock’s story is that of an outsider invited to the party, who just can’t quite believe their luck. This comes to the fore in her exciting account of Thatcher’s resignation Cabinet, where Slocock has no real reason to be present, but sneaks in because she knows history is about to be made. While nobody but a fool or the ex-Mayor of London would drag the Third Reich into this, the description of the final days in Downing Street is straight out of the film ‘Downfall’ where Bruno Ganz as Hitler sentimentally thanks the assembled staff of the Fürherbunker, while the chaos and devastation he has engineered reign outside. No matter how much you may despise Thatcher’s politics - and I do viscerally - it is hard not to be moved by the account of her ignominious defeat and Slocock herself is reluctantly moved to tears, while very conscious that her mistresses departure is long overdue. Beyond the excellent journalism, fed from the authors detailed diaries, there is a strong feminist narrative of clear importance to all of us on the Left, that we must take on our opponents for their politics only, and scorn facile misogynistic (and/or racist/anti-Semitic) tropes no matter how convenient and clever they seem at the time. As someone who sang ‘Hey Ho The Witch is Dead’ with enthusiasm on 8th April 2013, I am chastened and a little ashamed, and will greet the impending collapse of Teresa May’s shambolic Tory government without recourse to sexism.

This really did give a unique insight into what went on behind the closed doors of No. 10. I didn’t always agree with Mrs T but I certainly felt I knew more about her after reading this book. She came across as a very misunderstood woman fighting against all sections, including her own parliamentary members. Talk about watching your backs! I’m surprised she lasted as long as she did.

I have long suspected Margaret Thatcher would be much more respected and much less hated had she been a man. This book is as much about the impact of gender as it is an intimate portrait of Thatcher in the twilight of her leadership. Thatcher managed to negotiate her way to the top in a man's world and the book gives us some clues as to just what it took to get (and stay) there. It gives a fascinating insight into her world and the world as she saw it. The author points out that Thatcher was fairly dismissive and unsupportive of women's rights. Personally I think she was actually rather clever in playing down her gender. She never wanted to emphasise her femininity - maybe she thought it would undermine her - this was 1980s Britain. She was already moving mountains on the equality front, and she probably sensed that to go further to actively promote women's issues may have alienated the other 50% of the electorate. Regardless of your politics you can't help but be impressed by this extraordinary woman; her dedication, her decisiveness, her work ethic, her ambition, her belief in her country, her vulnerability and her loyalty to her staff which she regarded as family. It's time that powerful women are celebrated and respected, not just by men, but by women too.

Interesting insight into her life

I valued reading this. The author (Caroline Slocock) gives a personal account of their time as young female civil servant working in Downing Street in the last couple of years of Thatcher's reign as UK Prime Minister. Although the insider perspective of the last days of Thatcher is fascinating, the book has a broader theme since Slocock as a feminist shares her perspective and challenges as a professional woman working in that era. She weaves her experience into her perspective of Margaret Thatcher and how others (including feminists) might view older powerful women negatively. I believe the author makes clear that Thatcher never saw her as 'One of Us', and that feeling is reciprocated, however Slocock gives a empathic and balanced perspective of Thatcher as a politician, wife and mother.

The author gives a clear picture of how life revolved around the former Prime Minister within 10 Downing Street and she reveals some of the hitherto little known softer side of the Iron Lady’s personality. She also explains some of the inner workings of number 10. By her own admittance, the author is a feminist, and this comes over a little too strongly at times in my opinion. Nevertheless, if you are interested in politics, particularly during the Thatcher years, this should not deter you from reading this book.