Description

Thatcher, Margaret (1925 – 2013)

Thatcher at the dawn of her parliamentary career!

An extraordinary one-page autograph letter signed by Margaret Thatcher, 13th October 1959, just a few days after being elected a member of parliament for the first time.

She thanks her correspondent for ‘your kind letter of congratulation’, going on, ‘Denis and I are very relieved that elections only occur once in five years, on average. They are very exhausting for those taking part.’ Slight creasing and age-toning, with a tiny tear to the right edge.

On 8th October 1959, Thatcher was elected MP for Finchley after a hard-fought campaign. Thatcher had stood, and been defeated at the 1950 election. She’d then been defeated again in 1954, in her attempt to be the Conservative Party candidate for the Orpington by-election. After searching for a safe seat she’d settled for Finchley, where she’d been selected as candidate in April 1958. On 8th October 1959, she was elected MP in the general election.