Thoughts of Denis revealed

Denis Thatcher: Not a fan of John Major

11 April 2012

He was there at his wife Margaret's side throughout her long political career and her 11 years in Downing Street.

But, although he was careful to keep his political opinions private, Sir Denis Thatcher had some forthright views of his own.

He believed, for instance, that John Major was a 'ghastly' premier and that the Tory Party has yet to recover from his time in office.

His thoughts have finally emerged in the only TV interview he ever gave, to his daughter Carol a few months before his death from cancer in June at the age of 88.

Sir Denis reveals in the programme that he told his wife in 1990 that it was time to leave No 10. The bitterness he felt at her subsequent 'appalling and treacherous' ousting is clear.

The film, which will be shown on Channel 4 on Sunday, also suggests he enjoyed playing up to his image as a gin-soaked buffoon.

Below are some of Sir Denis's words of wisdom from the programme.

Meeting Maggie

I bowled up for dinner, and there she was. Nice-looking young woman, always has been.

I said: 'How are you going to get back to London?' And she said: 'I go on the train.' I said: 'Well, you can come in my car.' So I drove her back. It wasn't very long before we were taking her to dinner and that sort of thing.

Entering politics

If she wanted to be in politics, she could be in politics. I'd seen what politics was like and I didn't find it a particularly attractive way of life, dashing about from meeting to meeting, meeting and greeting, canvassing. I was not a particularly political body, I was far too busy earning a living.

James Callaghan

The then-socialist government was a disaster, and it was pretty clear that we were going to win. Didn't know by how much, but well, they were very unpopular throughout the country. I got hold of that by the tours we did from time to time.

His father's advice

He said to me: 'If you take my advice you'll never make speeches, and if you do, just remember one thing - that it is better to keep your mouth shut and be thought a fool than open it and remove all doubt.'

Maggie's speeches

I never commented on what she said. I merely said it was a jolly good speech, and most of the time it was.

Start of Falklands war

When I arrived back in Downing Street, I won't say it was panic stations, but everybody was running around, you know.

And I wasn't absolutely too sure where the Falklands was, and I didn't want to make a bloody fool of myself and say 'Where?'. But I soon discovered, nor did anybody else.

Marriage

What it meant to me? A happy life. Companionship. Common objectives. (I am) not a deep believer in the Christian ethic, but notwithstanding, we both have a belief in the Christian ethic. It comes easy for two of you. And you know, we've got two children.

The Brighton bomb

I had just got into bed . . . and Bob Kingston (Mrs Thatcher's armed Special Branch bodyguard) came in fully dressed, and said, You've got to get out of here, sir. 'I'm in my pyjamas,' I said. 'I'm not going out like this.' 'Well, you'll have to be quick,' (he said). I said: 'I'll be as quick as I can. I think I thought to myself, thank you God. But that was it.

John Major

It would have been a very good thing if the next election after Margaret had went, we lost. If Major had lost, we wouldn't have the disaster we've got now. He was a ghastly Prime Minister. More people deserted our party and we have never recovered.

10 years in power

I don't know whether I was thinking of myself. But I certainly was saying, 'We're coming to the end. Time for you to go.'

And she took me seriously. I think she was ready to go. Not to be kicked out. To say, 'I've had enough'. And go at the top. Undefeated.

Margaret's demise

(IT) appalled millions of people all over the country. Treachery. They said: 'How could they do it?' The whole of the situation of the Conservative Party today springs from that night when they dismissed the best prime minister the country had since Churchill.

Former Commonwealth chief Sonny Ramphal

Yes. He and I didn't get on. He was so Left-wing. He organised the Commonwealth things, but anti-South Africa all the time.

I used to say: 'Sonny Ramphal. You really are a terrible man.' ' Oh,' ( he) roars with laughter. ' Oh,' I said. ' No joking. You do more harm than good.'

He came back after the election and I said: 'You've got us for another four years, Sonny. I hope to Christ we're not going to have you.'

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