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To celebrate the release of the new ´óÏó´«Ã½ drama Thatcher, starring Lindsay Duncan, ´óÏó´«Ã½ Archive is giving audiences a unique opportunity to view programmes from the archive in an online collection that shows how Margaret Thatcher went from being one of only 30 female MPs to becoming the first female and longest-serving Prime Minister of the 20th century.

The collection, made up of both previously broadcast programmes and never before released documents that date back to 1954, gives audiences a rare opportunity to see how an MP from Finchley became one of the most iconic and controversial leaders in British history.

The documents reveal Thatcher's popularity with programme producers at the time. One describes her as: "Excellent feminine voice, first class broadcasting manner. Extremely cooperative – a gift to any producer", while another goes on to say: "Mrs Thatcher is thirty-ish I suspect tho' she could pass for much younger, very pretty and dresses most attractively."

Of the broadcast programmes that are being re-released, the ´óÏó´«Ã½ Radio 4 programme The World This Weekend from 1971 describes Margaret Thatcher as "perhaps the epitome of the Tory Lady".

It goes on to say that she is "considerate, charming, well groomed and well mannered, with a nice line in hats" in a piece about women in the Conservative party.

Julie Rowbotham, Executive Producer for ´óÏó´«Ã½ Archive, said: "With a political career spanning more than 30 years, it was a challenge to narrow our collection down to her early highlights selected, but we hope that people will enjoy this collection which charts her journey from being an MP for Finchley to becoming Britain's first female Prime Minister."

The site goes live today, 23 February, and you can view the collection by going online to bbc.co.uk/archive/thatcher.

Notes to Editors

Explore over 80 years of UK and ´óÏó´«Ã½ history with the ´óÏó´«Ã½ Archive website. Programmes, documents and images bring the past to life and reveal forgotten stories. The Margaret Thatcher: From MP To PM collection will now form a part of this permanent resource which the ´óÏó´«Ã½ has made available to UK audiences.

For more information, visit bbc.co.uk/archive.

Margaret – Thursday 26 February, 9.00pm, ´óÏó´«Ã½ Two

Margaret is a compelling drama about power and betrayal. Starring Lindsay Duncan in the title role, it is an intimate portrayal of a woman on the brink of ruin; a very human story about the private Margaret behind the public persona as she loses her grip on the power she has strived so hard to achieve.

´óÏó´«Ã½ Archive Margaret Thatcher: From MP To PM collection includes:

Programmes

Any Questions? – an early and witty performance by Margaret Thatcher on this political panel show

Synopsis – the panellists are asked what they discussed at the pre-programme dinner. Woodrow Wyatt gives a long disquisition, followed by a sharp retort from Margaret Thatcher that gets the audience's approval. Thatcher had been elected MP for Finchley for the first time three months earlier.

Panorama: Mrs Thatcher – the first profile of Margaret Thatcher as Minister for Education.

Synopsis – amid the controversy over new policies for comprehensive schools, Panorama follows Margaret Thatcher during an average day as Minister of State for Education. The programme includes footage of Thatcher at her homes in Kent and Chelsea, a visit to Highbury Grove Comprehensive School in Islington and an extensive interview.

Panorama: Free School Milk – why Margaret Thatcher was dubbed "Thatcher, Thatcher Milk Snatcher".

Synopsis – a report from Panorama exploring the Conservative plan to withdraw free milk for children over seven years old and increase the price of school dinners. Mothers and teachers voice their concerns, but Margaret Thatcher defends her cuts and promises to plough the money that is saved back into school buildings.

The World This Weekend: Women In The Conservative Party – Nice hats, the truth behind the "Tory lady" stereotype.

Synopsis – Margaret Howard reports on the history of women in the Conservative Party now that it has 15 female MPs. Some of these are interviewed in this report, including Joan Hall, Dame Irene Ward and Margaret Thatcher. Thatcher comments that there should be more opportunities for women in the future, though she doesn't think there will be a female Prime Minister in her lifetime.

Analysis – how important are cosmetics to women in public life?

Synopsis – in this surviving excerpt from an edition of the documentary series Analysis, Sue MacGregor investigates why women feel they have to use cosmetics. Margaret Thatcher is interviewed about the details of her skin-care regime and reveals the problems she has finding the right powder and the pressure she feels to ensure that her make-up always looks fresh.

Women In Politics – an exploration of the experiences of women in domestic politics.

Synopsis – Anthony King attempts to discover what it "feels like" to be a female politician. Prominent women MPs, including Margaret Thatcher, talk about the cross-party camaraderie that exists among female politicians. They also discuss having to battle against the prevailing sexism of both male MPs and civil servants. Thatcher herself highlights the need for more women in Parliament and repeats her belief that there will be no female Prime Minister in her lifetime.

Val Meets The VIPs: Rt Hon Mrs Margaret Thatcher – School children interrogate Margaret Thatcher.

Synopsis – Valerie Singleton hosts a discussion between the Minister for Education, Margaret Thatcher, and an audience of children. Mrs Thatcher puts forward her own theories about why so few women enter politics and expresses doubt that she will see a female Prime Minister in her lifetime. A short film documents Thatcher's day, beginning with breakfast with her children and continuing with cabinet meetings at 10 Downing Street and a visit to a school.

Talking Politics – Anthony King talks politics, history and poetry with Margaret Thatcher.

Synopsis – in this lengthy interview, Margaret Thatcher discusses her interests and home life as well as her political influences. Anthony King probes her relationship with her parents and children, and talks about her working life before the start of her political career. Thatcher reveals some surprising interests, such as collecting porcelain and watching impressionist Mike Yarwood. She also shows how her love of poetry has a practical political application.

News: Tory Leadership Vote – "Do you think the country is ready for a woman Prime Minister?"

Synopsis – in this short interview with Margaret Thatcher before the first ballot in the Conservative leadership contest, she expresses confidence in the amount of support she will receive.

Panorama: Tory Leadership Contest – the battle for leadership intensifies as the party prepares for a second ballot.

Synopsis – the Conservative Party comes under scrutiny in this investigation of the processes and the policies behind the leadership contest. The programmes also takes a look at the electioneering of Margaret Thatcher and the media crowd following her campaign. According to an article in The Times on the day following the broadcast, Mrs Thatcher withdrew from the programme at the last minute because she felt that she would not have had the right of reply.

News: Thatcher Offered Membership Of Carlton Club – Margaret Thatcher is offered membership of a male-only club.

Synopsis – Angela Rippon reports on the decision of Lord Tweedsmuir, chairman of the male-only Carlton Club, to offer Margaret Thatcher honorary membership. The Carlton was traditionally the club for the Conservative Party and membership is automatic for every Conservative leader.

The Jimmy Young Show – Margaret Thatcher's first interview after becoming Conservative Party leader.

Synopsis – Margaret Thatcher talks to Jimmy Young and responds to listeners' questions on air. A day after appointing her shadow cabinet, Thatcher says she is still "surprised" when she is announced as the Leader of the Opposition. Among other things, Young asks Thatcher about being a woman in politics (does she still cook her husband's breakfast?) and elicits some frank opinions from her, such as "men are very limited in their views about women".

Panorama: The Alternative Prime Minister – Margaret Thatcher outlines her policies for running the country.

Synopsis – joined by representatives of the press, David Dimbleby chairs a discussion in which Conservative leader Margaret Thatcher outlines the policies she hopes will win her party the next election. She expresses her belief that trade unionism is a "minority interest" and voices support for those individuals who have "run the gauntlet" to cross picket lines. She also stresses the need to preserve the freedom of the individual and the generation of wealth through freer enterprise and less taxation.

News: Thatcher Begins Conservative Party Campaign – the launch of the Conservative manifesto for the 1979 general election.

Synopsis – Margaret Thatcher opens the Conservative Party campaign at a press conference with the launch of a manifesto centring on monetary policy. The election campaign is the subject of much curiosity among foreign journalists, mainly due to the prospect of Britain having a female Prime Minister.

News: Election – who will win? The eve of the general election in 1979.

Synopsis – the final walkabouts, photo opportunities and speeches are made by the party leaders on the last day of campaigning before the election. With polls putting the Conservative Party ahead, Margaret Thatcher says it is "time for change" and that she has "considerable grounds for cautious optimism".

General Election '79 Results: Thatcher Wins Seat At Finchley – the results come in from Margaret Thatcher's constituency.

Synopsis – Margaret Thatcher increases her majority and is re-elected as MP for Finchley. By the time the results are declared, she knows it is likely that her party has won, making her the first female Prime Minister of Britain, and she thanks the people of Finchley for giving her courage for the future.

General Election '79 Results: Official Announcement Of Win – Margaret Thatcher has an overall majority in Parliament.

Synopsis – this excerpt from the ´óÏó´«Ã½'s coverage of the 1979 general election shows the moment that Margaret Thatcher's victory was confirmed. It comes while Robin Day interviews Conservative MP Norman St John-Stevas about the likelihood of his serving in the new cabinet. Lady Marcia Falkender provides an unusual insight into some of the less obvious issues facing the new Prime Minister, such as whether she or her husband will get the biggest bed at 10 Downing Street.

News: Thatcher Arrives At Downing Street – "Where there is discord, may we bring harmony": Margaret Thatcher becomes Prime Minister.

Synopsis – Margaret Thatcher becomes the first female Prime Minister in Britain and enters 10 Downing Street. Amid cheers and jeers from the assembled crowd, Thatcher famously quotes St Francis of Assisi and recalls Airey Neave with the words "there is work to be done". This is an extended version of the original news broadcast and provides an insight into the coverage of the event and the reactions of the crowd to the new Prime Minister.

Documents

Memorandum from Joanne Symons about Margaret Thatcher, 1957

A memo on the suitability of Margaret Thatcher for television appearances.

Synopsis – this memo, written two years before Margaret Thatcher became an MP, recommends her as a suitable professional woman to appear on television. Her skills as a speaker and attractive appearance are both considered appropriate for such a venture.

Letter to Margaret Thatcher about the general election, 1959

A letter asking Margaret Thatcher to take part in a radio programme.

Synopsis – Margaret Thatcher stood as Conservative candidate for Finchley in the 1959 general election. This letter asks, in the event of her winning, if she would be prepared to participate in a radio programme about becoming an MP.

Memorandum about Margaret Thatcher, 1959

A memo to the producer of Any Questions? about Margaret Thatcher.

Synopsis – this memo recommends Margaret Thatcher as a panellist on the political discussion show Any Questions? Archie Gordon was then Head of Current Affairs for radio and recalls meeting Thatcher when she was standing for election as MP for Dartford in Kent.

Producer's comments on Margaret Thatcher, 1962

Production notes from an interview with Margaret Thatcher on Woman's Hour.

Synopsis – After an interview on Woman's Hour early in Margaret Thatcher's career, the producer remarks on her excellent broadcasting skills. Production notes were always kept in order to retain a record of the programme and the people who performed well on air.

Producer's comments on Margaret Thatcher, 1966

Production notes from a discussion about punishment of offenders with Margaret Thatcher.

Synopsis – the producer of Judge For Yourself records details about Margaret Thatcher's ability as a panellist in the production notes. He comments that she is more attractive in person than she appears on air.

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