Photograph courtesy of Robert Huffstutter
As the news of the death of former British Prime Minister Baroness Thatcher spreads around the world, today’s release of the declassified Kissinger Cables by Wikileaks shows how a US diplomat described her rise to power in the Conservative Party power in 1975.
The document dated 12th February 1975 and titled “Tories Rally Behind New Leader” begins with a summary which said
Margaret Thatcher has won a remarkable personal victory, and the Conservative Party is quickly closing its ranks behind its new leader. Aggressive and able, she is expected to revitalize the party organisation, bring fresh younger blood into the shadow cabinet and mount a vigorous assault on the government in the commons. If she is ever to become Britain’s first woman however, she will have to humanize her personal image and broaden her ideological base.
It goes on to describe the “excitement” of the Conservative Party after she took power from Ted Heath, saying:
As the Conservative Party now begins to take stock, its mood is a curious mixture of relief, excitement, guilt, and misgivings. Relief that the prolonged and complicated electoral process with all its attendant hijinks is finally over. Excitement at the prospect of a new, dynamic brand of leadership. Residual guilt over the ungrateful dispatch of Ted Heath. And misgivings that the candidate most popular with the true-blue Tories may not prove all that popular with the electorate.
It goes on to describe her strengths as a politician
There are few who would disparage Margaret Thatcher’s remarkable personal triumph. The first woman to lead a political party in Britain, she is able, intelligent, articulate, hard-working, and clearly ready to take charge. She will bring badly needed fresh blood into the shadow cabinet, and revitalize a demoralized party. A formidable debater, she will rally her backbenchers and harry the government with vigor
