The Margaret Thatcher Centre

44 years ago today on 17 June, 1982

At the outset of the Falklands War, Enoch Powell remarked that Britain, Parliament, and Margaret Thatcher herself would soon discover "of what metal she is made."

Ten weeks later, with victory secured, Powell returned to the subject during Prime Minister's Questions:

"Is the right hon. Lady aware that the report has now been received from the public analyst on a certain substance recently subjected to analysis and that I have obtained a copy of the report? The substance under test consisted of ferrous matter of the highest quality, that it is of exceptional tensile strength, is highly resistant to wear and tear and to stress, and may be used with advantage for all national purposes."

Thatcher's reply was characteristically brief:

"Mr. Speaker, I think that I am very grateful indeed to the right hon. Gentleman. I agree with every word that he said."

Though often a fierce critic of Thatcher's policies, Powell did not hesitate to acknowledge the leadership and resolve she had displayed during the Falklands conflict. Powell's comment was, above all, a parliamentary compliment of the highest order—witty, elegant, and unusually generous. The exchange meant so much to Thatcher that her Parliamentary Private Secretary, Ian Gow, later had Powell's April and June remarks framed and presented to her as a Christmas gift—signed by Powell himself.

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🇪🇺 Second Margaret Thatcher Centre Annual Academic Symposium Friday 10 July 2026 | 9:30am – 6:00pm
Moller Institute, Churchill College, Cambridge.

Exploring Margaret Thatcher’s legacy & the Single European Act of 1986 — the Trojan Horse that surrendered British sovereignty to unelected bureaucrats.

With: Jonathan Aitken, Sir Malcolm Rifkind, Sir Gerald Howarth, Lord Norton, Peter Just, & many more.

Refreshments, lunch & drinks reception included. £50 (students free) 🎟️Limited tickets! https://www.tickettailor.com/events/margaretthatchercentre/2103359

See you in Cambridge!

We're getting excited for our 2nd Annual Symposium on Friday, 10 July, from 9:30 AM - 6:00 PM. We hope to see you there as we look back at the 40 years since the passing of the Single European Act of 1986, an event Margaret Thatcher later saw as her greatest political “mistake” — a Trojan Horse that surrendered British sovereignty to unelected bureaucrats. Come and hear The Revd Jonathan Aitken, Peter Just, Professor The Lord Norton of Louth, The Rt Hon Sir Malcolm Rifkind KCMG KC,
Dr. Lee Rotherham, Lee Evans and Sir Gerald Howarth, Former Private Secretary to The Rt. Hon Baroness Thatcher of Kesteven
The symposium is a one-day event with breakfast pastries, buffet lunch and a networking drinks reception when the conference ends. Special price £50.

https://www.tickettailor.com/events/margaretthatchercentre/2103359

22 years ago today on 5 June, 2004

Close friend and political soulmate of Margaret Thatcher, President Ronald Reagan dies of complications related to Alzheimers Disease. Margaret releases this statement:

"President Reagan was one of my closest political and dearest personal friends.

He will be missed not only by those who knew him and not only by the nation that he served so proudly and loved so deeply, but also by millions of men and women who live in freedom today because of the policies he pursued

Ronald Reagan had a higher claim than any other leader to have won the Cold War for liberty and he did it without a shot being fired.

To have achieved so much against so many odds and with such humour and humanity made Ronald Reagan a truly great American hero."

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42 years ago today on 30 May, 1984

While visiting the Banbury Cattle Market in Oxfordshire, Margaret Thatcher delivers her famous and fiery speech about the picketing at Orgreave. Always an enormous proponent of supporting the police and following the rule of law, Margaret's speech is notable for its vehement delivery. She tells the crowd, "I must tell you that what we have got is an attempt to substitute the rule of the mob for the rule of law, and it must not succeed!"

You can read the entire speech here:

Remarks on Orgreave picketing ("attempt to substitute the rule of the mob for the rule of law") | Margaret Thatcher Foundation https://share.google/Pel0wI3eXhdpRCPoz

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61 years ago today on 20 May, 1965

Speaking at Albert Hall, Margaret Thatcher makes her famous statement: "In politics, if you want anything said ask a man, if you want anything done ask a woman."

She was speaking for the National Union of Townswomen's Guilds Conference on the development of women's rights and how most legal disabilities had fallen away. The title of her talk was: "Woman--no longer a Satellite." She discussed the advancements women have made and addressed some of the challenges still to go.

You can read the full article here:
Speech to National Union of Townswomen's Guilds Conference ("In politics, if you want anything said ask a man, if you want anything done ask a woman") | Margaret Thatcher Foundation https://share.google/3mZmsYdnwtV0KFsZh

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Gutted you missed a great event celebrating Margaret Thatcher's principles today? Don't miss our Academic Symposium in Cambridge next month! Its focus is the Single European Act 1986 and all that it entailed! Get your tickets here:

Select tickets – The Second Margaret Thatcher Centre Annual Academic Symposium – Moller Institute, Churchill College, Storey's Way, Cambridge The Second Margaret Thatcher Centre Annual Academic Symposium – Moller Institute, Churchill College, Storey's Way, Cambridge, Fri 10 Jul 2026 - Under the chairmanship of the Academic Director of the Margaret Thatcher Centre, Dr Tim Aker, and building on the tremendous success of our inaugural eve...

Our last speaker came out of the gate fast! Adam King of QEB Hollis Whiteman, 'The decision to remand Lucy in custody was wrong.' 'Don't go after individual judges in borderline cases; what has to happen is to fix the two-tier system.'
He's our last keynote speaker before the attendees withdraw for a well-earned sponsored drinks reception. Thank you to everyone who spoke, attended or supported us today. Cheers 🍷

'What we want are simplified rules we can actually understand,' says Steve Barrett, barrister, in our fourth keynote of the day, 'Simplifying the Law.' As usual, he's on a roll! 'The thing that causes state collapse is the inconsistent implementation of the law.' 'Without clear, simple laws, society collapses...We are infantilised by this complex system...This idea that you should draft your laws with subjective outcomes...'
You really should be here to get the full effect. Next year, maybe?🧑‍⚖️