Margaret Thatcher

The story of Margaret Thatcher's life after Downing Street is a tale of high drama and low farce, with, at its heart, one extraordinary woman. No longer in office but never really out of power, Margaret Thatcher enjoyed perhaps the most consequential ex-premiership of any Prime Minister in British history. British politics today largely reflects and is a consequence not only of Thatcher's time in No. 10 but also of her later life and how people reacted and still react to it. It is as much our story as it is hers.

In her centenary year, this book provides a radical reassessment of how Thatcher's post-prime ministership has been viewed to date. Covering the four main areas of her work after Downing Street philosophy, party, policy and performance and analysing her continued and continuing influence on the Conservative leaders and Prime Ministers of all parties who followed her, it demonstrates why, however small the politics may or may not have got since 1990, Margaret Thatcher is still big.

The little-told story of what Margaret Thatcher did next. Every Prime Minister has an afterlife. Thatcher's has not been much discussed but was among the most interesting and impactful. This fascinating book considers the Iron Lady's post-prime ministerial career for the first time.

'This very well researched, well written and fascinating book explodes a large number of myths about the post-Downing Street life of Britain's greatest peacetime premier of the twentieth century. A joy to read.' Andrew Roberts

'This fascinating and entertaining study of Margaret Thatcher's life after Downing Street shines a revelatory spotlight on the character, conduct and consequence of Lady Thatcher as a former Prime Minister and illustrates why she remained and remains an unrivalled political force.' Iain Dale

'Margaret Thatcher spent twice as long as a post-premier as she did in Downing Street. No one since Churchill has commanded so much presence on the world stage after they retired or been such a presence in British politics. This lively and stimulating book is long overdue.' Anthony Seldon

'There were always two Thatchers: Margaret, and the idea of Margaret. She herself was apt to confuse them. With great thoughtfulness and much research, Peter Just pursues both through the years that as he shows were not the twilight we had supposed.' Matthew Parris