YOU MAY NOT ENJOY THIS, MRS THATCHER
How Iron Lady was briefed on the Sex Pistols before Smash Hits interview
MARGARET Thatcher’s knowledge of punk rock was Pretty Vacant – so aides had to brief her on the Sex Pistols before a pop magazine interview.
A Downing Street memo for her meeting with Smash Hits journalist Tom Hibbert warned “you may not enjoy this”, private papers reveal.
A history of punk was attached, which read: “The 1976-1978 era was a very basic musical style featuring a strange bunch of anti-establishment acts.
“Most famous were the Sex Pistols with God Save The Queen and Anarchy In The UK. Other punk acts such as The Clash and The Damned were popular for a while.
“But when the Sex Pistols split up in 1978, the style died out, to be replaced by the current technological musical era featuring computers, synthesizers and videos.”
Preparations for the PM’s encounter in March 1987 with the Smash Hits deputy editor, surfaced in the latest release of personal files.
She was warned: “Mr Hibbert may ask superficial questions which betray a lack of understanding.
“The challenge will be for you to demonstrate that just because you are not part of the pop scene, you are still in touch with youngsters and understand their needs.”
Referencing Lady Thatcher’s earlier appearance on children’s TV show Saturday Superstore, it went on: “The important thing is to show you are confident and relaxed.
“The way you handled the Superstore appearance is still the subject of praise from youngsters.”
Margaret Thatcher Foundation historian Chris Collins said the PM must have known about the Pistols.
He added: “But No10 probably prudently estimated her knowledge of these things as zero, and they wouldn’t get it wrong.”
Mrs T was also briefed on Bob Marley for a 1987 Jamaica visit, say the files released by The Margaret Thatcher Archive Trust. Private Secretary Charles Powell told her he referenced local reggae and poetry in a draft speech. He said: “The Jamaicans are very proud of them and a reference could go down well.”
And he pinned the lyrics to Marley’s rousing protest song Get Up, Stand Up to the speech.