Margaret Thatcher’s career highlights
Former Prime Minister Baroness Thatcher is celebrating her 85th birthday.
The ex-Conservative leader is expected to attend a reception in her honour at No 10 Downing Street on Thursday.
Press reports have suggested that about 150 serving and former ministers will be present at the event.
David Cameron paid tribute to Baroness Thatcher in his recent party conference speech, describing her as the “greatest peacetime” prime minister of the 20th Century.
Baroness Thatcher last visited No 10 in June when Mr Cameron hosted a reception in her honour.
At the end of 2009, during Gordon Brown’s premiership, she was invited to No 10 for the unveiling of a new portrait of her.
Baroness Thatcher, who was prime minister between 1979 and 1990, was advised to give up public speaking in 2005 on health grounds after some minor strokes.
However, she has continued to take part in public engagements – most recently attending an address given by the Pope during his state visit to the UK.
According to The Independent, guests at Thursday’s reception will include former chancellor Lord Howe, former foreign secretary Lord Carrington and Sir Bernard Ingham, Baroness Thatcher’s former press spokesman.
The newspaper reported that Lord Heseltine, whose challenge to Baroness Thatcher’s leadership in 1990 led to her resignation, is not on the list of invitees.
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