Margaret Thatcher is taking tea with Gordon Brown, Ben Brogan has the scoop. This is just about the last thing that David Cameron needs today as he tries to defuse the Gummer Goldsmith report. He’s now bound to get questions about whether he feels snubbed and if he’ll be inviting her round for a cuppa at CCHQ and if not why not. (Regulars at Lady Thatcher’s parties have long noted Cameron’s conspicuous absence and those close to her are amazed at his failure to court her.)
The invitation shows how far Brown is prepared to go to establish himself as a national, not party, figure. He is so confident in his support among Labour voters and members that he doesn’t worry about the internal party consequences of inviting Lib Dems into his cabinet or Thatcher across the threshold of Number 10.
It would, though, be classic if Thatcher walked out of Number 10 and promptly told the press everything that Brown is doing wrong.
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