Margaret Thatcher: From MP to PM | Mrs Thatcher's journey from Finchley to Downing Street

Talking Politics

Anthony King talks politics, history and poetry with Margaret Thatcher.

CHANNEL | Radio 4

FIRST BROADCAST | 31 August 1974

DURATION | 28 minutes 33 seconds

FIRSTBROADCAST

1974

Synopsis

In this lengthy interview, Margaret Thatcher discusses her interests and home life as well as her political influences. Anthony King probes her relationship with her parents and children, and talks about her working life before the start of her political career. Thatcher reveals some surprising interests, such as collecting porcelain and watching impressionist Mike Yarwood. She also shows how her love of poetry has a practical political application.

Did you know?

This interview was conducted after the Conservative Party had narrowly lost the election in February 1974. At this point, Margaret Thatcher was shadow Secretary of the Environment. Labour Prime Minister Harold Wilson called another general election in November in which he got a three-seat majority.

Contributors

Anthony King
Presenter
Margaret Thatcher
Contributor

Associated subjects

UK Politics | UK Prime Ministers

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Documents

Document - Letter to Margaret Thatcher about the General Election in 1959.

Letter to Margaret Thatcher about the general election, 1959.

WRITTEN 1959
1 Page

A letter asking Margaret Thatcher to take part in a radio programme.

Document - Memorandum about Margaret Thatcher in 1959.

Memorandum about Margaret Thatcher, 1959

WRITTEN 1959
1 Page

A memo to the producer of 'Any Questions?' about Margaret Thatcher.

Production notes about Margaret Thatcher in 1962.

Producer's comments on Margaret Thatcher in 1962.

WRITTEN 1962
2 Pages

Production notes from an interview with Margaret Thatcher on 'Woman's Hour'.

Document - Production notes about Margaret Thatcher in 1966.

Producer's comments on Margaret Thatcher, 1966

WRITTEN 1966
2 Pages

Production notes from a discussion about punishment of offenders with Margaret Thatcher.

Document - The earliest memorandum from the BBC Archives on Margaret Thatcher.

Memo from Joanne Symons on Mrs Thatcher

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1 Page

A memo on the suitability of Margaret Thatcher for television appearances.

Document - Letter about a 'Panorama' profile of Margaret Thatcher.

Letter proposing a television profile of Margaret Thatcher, 1970

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Nicholas Harman outlines plans for a profile of Margaret Thatcher on 'Panorama'.

Document - Memorandum about Margaret Thatcher's interests in broadcasting as Secretary of State for Education.

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The Controller of Educational Broadcasting gives a rundown of Margaret Thatcher's interests in the BBC.

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