People Like Us: Margaret Thatcher and Me

(Hardback)

Available Formats

Publishing Details

Classifications

Physical Properties

Description

As a young civil servant, Caroline Slocock became the first everfemale private secretary to any British Prime Minister, and was at MargaretThatcher's side for the final eighteen months of her premiership. A left-wingfeminist, Slocock was no natural ally and yet she became fascinated by thewoman behind the 'Iron Lady' faade and by how she dealt with a world dominatedby men.

As events inexorably led to Margaret Thatcher's downfall, Slocock observed the vulnerabilities and contradictions of the woman considered by many to be the ultimate anti-feminist. When Thatcher eventually resigned, brought down by her closest political allies, Slocock was the only woman present to witness the astonishing scenes in the Cabinet Room. Had Thatcher been a man, it would have ended very differently, Slocock feels.

Now, in this vivid first-hand account, based on her diaries from the time and interviews with other key Downing Street personnel, Slocock paints a nuanced portrait of a woman who to this day is routinely demonised in sexist ways. Reflecting on the challenges women still face in public life, Slocock concludes it's time to rewrite how we portray powerful women and for women to set aside politics and accept that Margaret Thatcher was 'one of us'.

A remarkable political and personal memoir,People Like Uscharts life inside Thatcher's No. 10 during its dying days and reflects on women and power then and now.

Reviews

...[in] this special and important book... Slocock has done her former boss and women in general a great service in painting such a vivid, sympathetic picture of what it means to be powerful and female. The Sunday Telegraph five star review
News
The most striking part of I thought of the book is the description of the day she resigned...which is very hard to read almost, it s very emotional...very worth reading. Andrew Marr, BBC Start the Week

Author Bio

Caroline Slocock was the first woman Private Secretary at No. 10 and was Private Secretary (Home Affairs) between 1989 to 1991 to Margaret Thatcher and John Major. After leaving No. 10, she worked to change the culture and working practices of the Treasury, which many women saw as a barrier to their advancement, and went on to reform the public expenditure system and public services. At the Department for Education and Skills, she oversaw a national expansion of childcare and nursery education. Between 2002 and 2007, she was the chief executive of the Equal Opportunities Commission, the statutory body that promoted equal opportunities for women and men, and helped achieve significant advances, though many challenges remain. She currently runs a think tank and a leadership network dedicated to improving services and strengthening communities. She is the author of many publications on this theme and is a regular commentator in the media. She lives in London and Suffolk and is married to the crime writer John Nightingale, with two daughters.