Margaret Thatcher: From MP to PM | Mrs Thatcher's journey from Finchley to Downing Street
CHANNEL | Radio 4
FIRST BROADCAST | 16 May 1971
DURATION | 5 minutes 51 seconds
FIRSTBROADCAST
1971
Margaret Howard reports on the history of women in the Conservative Party now that it has 15 female MPs. Some of these are interviewed in this report, including Joan Hall, Dame Irene Ward and Margaret Thatcher. Thatcher comments that there should be more opportunities for women in the future, though she doesn't think there will be a female Prime Minister in her lifetime.
Dame Irene Ward was MP for Wallsend from 1931 to 1945, then returned to Parliament in 1950 as MP for Tynemouth and served until 1974, becoming the longest-serving female MP at the time. Ward was a forceful character who campaigned for women's economic rights in the 1950s and 1960s.
An early and witty performance by Margaret Thatcher on this political panel show.
The first profile of Margaret Thatcher as Minister for Education.
Why Margaret Thatcher was dubbed 'Thatcher, Thatcher Milk Snatcher'.

Nice hats - the truth behind the 'Tory lady' stereotype.
An exploration of the experiences of women in domestic politics.
School children interrogate Margaret Thatcher.
Anthony King talks politics, history and poetry with Margaret Thatcher.
'Do you think the country is ready for a woman Prime Minister?'
The battle for leadership intensifies as the party prepares for a second ballot.
Margaret Thatcher's first interview after becoming Conservative Party leader.
Margaret Thatcher outlines her policies for running the country.
The launch of the Conservative manifesto for the 1979 general election.
Margaret Thatcher has an overall majority in Parliament.
The results come in from Margaret Thatcher's Finchley constituency.
'Where there is discord, may we bring harmony': Margaret Thatcher becomes Prime Minister.
A letter asking Margaret Thatcher to take part in a radio programme.
A memo to the producer of 'Any Questions?' about Margaret Thatcher.
Production notes from an interview with Margaret Thatcher on 'Woman's Hour'.
Production notes from a discussion about punishment of offenders with Margaret Thatcher.
A memo on the suitability of Margaret Thatcher for television appearances.
Nicholas Harman outlines plans for a profile of Margaret Thatcher on 'Panorama'.
The Controller of Educational Broadcasting gives a rundown of Margaret Thatcher's interests in the BBC.
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