In context

Margaret Thatcher was elected MP for Finchley in 1959 and succeeded Edward Heath as leader of the Conservative party in 1975.

She became Britain’s first woman prime minister in 1979, and by the time she was ousted by her own party in 1990 she was the longest serving prime minister of the 20th century.

Mrs Thatcher used her appointment to the House of Lords to continue to make her views heard, particularly on European issues.

Ill health forced her to abandon her regular public speaking engagements in 2002.