British Politian Margaret Thatcher’s Handbag

Politian Margaret Thatcher’s handbag firmly in fist. Leaving her Chelsea home to attend the first ballot in the election for the leadership of the Conservative party in February 1975.

Her speeches were printed on paper cut to fit into her bag. At cabinet meetings she would draw out crumpled notes of advice or instruction. “Whenever this happened, the cabinet secretary would pale, and the minister would raise his eyes to the ceiling. Many are the ministers who have cursed the contents of that wretched blue handbag,” recalled former education secretary Kenneth Baker. Its placement on the table in front of her was seen as a statement of intent – Edwina Currie, who served in Thatcher’s government, referred to it as “her weapon”.