Fans of Margaret Thatcher will celebrate the centenary of her birth next year (Image: BBC)
The Labour Government’s decision not to commemorate the centenary of Lady Thatcher’s birth has been denounced as “small-minded”.
Admirers of Britain’s first woman prime minister will mark what would have been her 100th birthday on October 13 next year but there is disappointment Sir Keir Starmer’s Government will not join in the celebrations.
DON'T MISS
Powered by
Elon Musk tells Keir Starmer ‘leave farmers alone' as new war of words threatens to erupt
797 Comments
Tory leadership LIVE: Badenoch or Jenrick lie in wait as Starmer suffers devastating blow
442 Comments
POLL: Do you think Kemi Badenoch is the right person to lead the Tory Party? Vote now
416 Comments
Keir Starmer urged to kick out Labour's Dawn Butler over Kemi Badenoch 'blackface' post
1171 Comments
Kemi Badenoch blasts Rachel Reeves for boasting about being the first female Chancellor
21 Comments
'I'll let you rant!' BBC QT audience erupts as Labour minister is slapped down
112 Comments
WASPI campaigners issue compensation reminder to Rachel Reeves
35 Comments
Rachel Reeves shamelessly admits she was wrong to promise no Labour tax hikes
218 Comments
I was in the room when Kemi became Tory leader - there's a reason it will rattle Labour
392 Comments
Carol Vorderman sparks backlash with brutal dig at new Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch
56 Comments
Nigel Farage rages Tory brand is 'broken' as he takes bitter swipe at Kemi Badenoch
475 Comments
Fresh nightmare for Starmer as Reform UK wins yet another by-election in Labour heartland
1635 Comments
BBC's Fiona Bruce sparks backlash as Question Time fans rage at 'annoying' habit
8 Comments
Kemi Badenoch crowned new Tory leader after beating rival Robert Jenrick
594 Comments
Rachel Reeves has proven the Labour Party is still vindictive about its targets
187 Comments
Keir Starmer savaged in poll as third of Brits think Kamala Harris would do a better job
57 Comments
Families face a ￡9,700 tax bill over the next five years thanks to Rachel Reeves
32 Comments
We will soon know if Kemi Badenoch's husband was right
23 Comments
Angela Rayner is wearing two poppies and everyone's saying the same thing
104 Comments
Everything we know about Kemi Badenoch - the new Conservative leader
123 Comments
Elon Musk tells Keir Starmer ‘leave farmers alone' as new war of words threatens to erupt
797 Comments
Tory leadership LIVE: Badenoch or Jenrick lie in wait as Starmer suffers devastating blow
442 Comments
POLL: Do you think Kemi Badenoch is the right person to lead the Tory Party? Vote now
416 Comments
Keir Starmer urged to kick out Labour's Dawn Butler over Kemi Badenoch 'blackface' post
1171 Comments
Kemi Badenoch blasts Rachel Reeves for boasting about being the first female Chancellor
21 Comments
'I'll let you rant!' BBC QT audience erupts as Labour minister is slapped down
112 Comments
WASPI campaigners issue compensation reminder to Rachel Reeves
35 Comments
Rachel Reeves shamelessly admits she was wrong to promise no Labour tax hikes
218 Comments
I was in the room when Kemi became Tory leader - there's a reason it will rattle Labour
392 Comments
Carol Vorderman sparks backlash with brutal dig at new Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch
56 Comments
Nigel Farage rages Tory brand is 'broken' as he takes bitter swipe at Kemi Badenoch
475 Comments
Fresh nightmare for Starmer as Reform UK wins yet another by-election in Labour heartland
1635 Comments
BBC's Fiona Bruce sparks backlash as Question Time fans rage at 'annoying' habit
8 Comments
Kemi Badenoch crowned new Tory leader after beating rival Robert Jenrick
594 Comments
Rachel Reeves has proven the Labour Party is still vindictive about its targets
187 Comments
Keir Starmer savaged in poll as third of Brits think Kamala Harris would do a better job
57 Comments
Families face a ￡9,700 tax bill over the next five years thanks to Rachel Reeves
32 Comments
We will soon know if Kemi Badenoch's husband was right
23 Comments
Angela Rayner is wearing two poppies and everyone's saying the same thing
104 Comments
Everything we know about Kemi Badenoch - the new Conservative leader
123 Comments
Elon Musk tells Keir Starmer ‘leave farmers alone' as new war of words threatens to erupt
797 Comments
Tory leadership LIVE: Badenoch or Jenrick lie in wait as Starmer suffers devastating blow
442 Comments
POLL: Do you think Kemi Badenoch is the right person to lead the Tory Party? Vote now
416 Comments
Keir Starmer urged to kick out Labour's Dawn Butler over Kemi Badenoch 'blackface' post
1171 Comments
Kemi Badenoch blasts Rachel Reeves for boasting about being the first female Chancellor
21 Comments
'I'll let you rant!' BBC QT audience erupts as Labour minister is slapped down
112 Comments
WASPI campaigners issue compensation reminder to Rachel Reeves
35 Comments
Robert Colvile, director of the Centre for Policy Studies, which was founded by Lady Thatcher in 1974, said: “Margaret Thatcher was a truly transformational Prime Minister whose premiership left an indelible mark on the history of Britain and the world. It seems quite small-minded of the Government not to mark the 100th birthday of one of Britain’s greatest Prime Ministers.
“Even if Labour is resentful of her successes, they should still by their own lights recognise her achievement in being Britain’s first ever female prime minister.”
Don't miss...
Keir Starmer makes more portrait changes in No10 with Tudor monarchs removed [LATEST]
We need a period of mediocrity to appreciate the likes of Margaret Thatcher [LATEST]
I'm misunderstood like Margaret Thatcher, Kemi Badenoch tells Tory conference [LATEST]
Labour accused of wanting to 'destroy' Margaret Thatcher's key housing policy [LATEST]
Then-PM Gordon Brown welcomed Lady Thatcher to Downing Street (Image: Getty)
Nick Thomas-Symonds, the Government’s paymaster general, ruled out events to mark the centenary, saying: “In line with established precedent, the Government does not formally commemorate the anniversaries of the births of former Prime Ministers.”
This dismayed Andrew Rosindell, whose constituency office is based in Romford’s “Margaret Thatcher House”.
He said: “I think it’s very sad because you’re looking at no ordinary prime minister. You’re looking at a prime minister who transformed our country, who restored pride and greatness to Britain and was our first ever woman prime minister.
“For the Labour party in government to say that it’s not worthy of any type of commemoration or celebration or not even noteworthy, I find quite shocking.”
Former Labour prime ministers Tony Blair and Gordon Brown both invited Lady Thatcher to Downing Street. On Mr Brown’s watch, a painting of the Iron Lady was unveiled at the PM’s residence.
Sir Keir Starmer courted controversy by removing a portrait of Lady Thatcher from the Downing Street study, explaining that he did not like “pictures of people staring down at me”.
DON'T MISS
Powered by
Elon Musk tells Keir Starmer ‘leave farmers alone' as new war of words threatens to erupt
797 Comments
Tory leadership LIVE: Badenoch or Jenrick lie in wait as Starmer suffers devastating blow
442 Comments
POLL: Do you think Kemi Badenoch is the right person to lead the Tory Party? Vote now
416 Comments
Keir Starmer urged to kick out Labour's Dawn Butler over Kemi Badenoch 'blackface' post
1174 Comments
Kemi Badenoch blasts Rachel Reeves for boasting about being the first female Chancellor
22 Comments
'I'll let you rant!' BBC QT audience erupts as Labour minister is slapped down
112 Comments
WASPI campaigners issue compensation reminder to Rachel Reeves
35 Comments
Rachel Reeves shamelessly admits she was wrong to promise no Labour tax hikes
218 Comments
I was in the room when Kemi became Tory leader - there's a reason it will rattle Labour
392 Comments
Carol Vorderman sparks backlash with brutal dig at new Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch
56 Comments
Nigel Farage rages Tory brand is 'broken' as he takes bitter swipe at Kemi Badenoch
475 Comments
Fresh nightmare for Starmer as Reform UK wins yet another by-election in Labour heartland
1635 Comments
BBC's Fiona Bruce sparks backlash as Question Time fans rage at 'annoying' habit
8 Comments
Kemi Badenoch crowned new Tory leader after beating rival Robert Jenrick
594 Comments
Rachel Reeves has proven the Labour Party is still vindictive about its targets
187 Comments
Keir Starmer savaged in poll as third of Brits think Kamala Harris would do a better job
57 Comments
Families face a ￡9,700 tax bill over the next five years thanks to Rachel Reeves
32 Comments
We will soon know if Kemi Badenoch's husband was right
23 Comments
Angela Rayner is wearing two poppies and everyone's saying the same thing
104 Comments
Everything we know about Kemi Badenoch - the new Conservative leader
123 Comments
Elon Musk tells Keir Starmer ‘leave farmers alone' as new war of words threatens to erupt
797 Comments
Tory leadership LIVE: Badenoch or Jenrick lie in wait as Starmer suffers devastating blow
442 Comments
POLL: Do you think Kemi Badenoch is the right person to lead the Tory Party? Vote now
416 Comments
Keir Starmer urged to kick out Labour's Dawn Butler over Kemi Badenoch 'blackface' post
1174 Comments
Kemi Badenoch blasts Rachel Reeves for boasting about being the first female Chancellor
22 Comments
'I'll let you rant!' BBC QT audience erupts as Labour minister is slapped down
112 Comments
WASPI campaigners issue compensation reminder to Rachel Reeves
35 Comments
Rachel Reeves shamelessly admits she was wrong to promise no Labour tax hikes
218 Comments
I was in the room when Kemi became Tory leader - there's a reason it will rattle Labour
392 Comments
Carol Vorderman sparks backlash with brutal dig at new Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch
56 Comments
Nigel Farage rages Tory brand is 'broken' as he takes bitter swipe at Kemi Badenoch
475 Comments
Fresh nightmare for Starmer as Reform UK wins yet another by-election in Labour heartland
1635 Comments
BBC's Fiona Bruce sparks backlash as Question Time fans rage at 'annoying' habit
8 Comments
Kemi Badenoch crowned new Tory leader after beating rival Robert Jenrick
594 Comments
Rachel Reeves has proven the Labour Party is still vindictive about its targets
187 Comments
Keir Starmer savaged in poll as third of Brits think Kamala Harris would do a better job
57 Comments
Families face a ￡9,700 tax bill over the next five years thanks to Rachel Reeves
32 Comments
We will soon know if Kemi Badenoch's husband was right
23 Comments
Angela Rayner is wearing two poppies and everyone's saying the same thing
104 Comments
Everything we know about Kemi Badenoch - the new Conservative leader
123 Comments
Elon Musk tells Keir Starmer ‘leave farmers alone' as new war of words threatens to erupt
797 Comments
Tory leadership LIVE: Badenoch or Jenrick lie in wait as Starmer suffers devastating blow
442 Comments
POLL: Do you think Kemi Badenoch is the right person to lead the Tory Party? Vote now
416 Comments
Keir Starmer urged to kick out Labour's Dawn Butler over Kemi Badenoch 'blackface' post
1174 Comments
Kemi Badenoch blasts Rachel Reeves for boasting about being the first female Chancellor
22 Comments
'I'll let you rant!' BBC QT audience erupts as Labour minister is slapped down
112 Comments
WASPI campaigners issue compensation reminder to Rachel Reeves
35 Comments
Don't miss...
'Britain's social revolution and why our NHS is creaking and strained' [LATEST]
Argentina's leaders should be grateful for Falkland 'crumbs' Britain offers [LATEST]
Art critic savages Starmer over removal of Thatcher portrait [LATEST]
Donald Trump fumes as 'sick' Kamala Harris compared to Margaret Thatcher [LATEST]
Trending
SUBSCRIBE Invalid email
We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our Privacy Policy
Mr Rosindell said: “Tony Blair and Gordon Brown understood the significance of Lady Thatcher’s legacy on this country. They didn’t always agree with her, of course, but they respected her as a great British leader and as someone who significantly changed the direction of our nation.
“For the Government of today to discard that is I think very, very foolish and very wrong. I hope they will reconsider in time for October 13, 2025.”
The 1974 centenary of Winston Churchill’s birth was marked with the issuing of a set of postal stamps. An exhibition featuring his paintings, military uniforms, manuscripts and a Stetson hat was held at London’s Somerset House.