It is a century this year since the Iron Lady’s birth – and conservatives are determined to mark it in style. Amid a whole host of dinners and seminars, the Margaret Thatcher Centre held a symposium on Monday to debate the legacy of the former Prime Minister. Among the likes of Lord Lilley, Sir Anthony Seldon and David Starkey was a writer from the New Statesman who duly filed a predictably snippy piece about the day. Quelle surprise…
Yet it seems that the piece has backfired somewhat. For Donal Blaney, the conference organiser, has penned a letter in response. It thanks the journalist in question and says:
We have shared the article online and to our supporters, and this has yielded us a six-figure donation from one supporter who said that if the New Statesman is decrying our work, we must be doing something right. I am only sad for you that you ended up paying us your hard-earned money to attend our event. Had you shared with us that you were a journalist, you would have been very welcome to cover the event and we would have given you a media pass for free (as we did for Allison Pearson of the Daily Telegraph). Should you wish to attend another of our events, please do let me know. I should be delighted to welcome you again, provided you write a similarly helpful piece afterwards.
Those so decried by the New Statesman who might wish to celebrate Margaret Thatcher’s life, values and achievements can enjoy the eponymous centre’s centennial gala dinner at Guildhall on 13 October. Given the way their last article backfired, let’s hope the Staggers is in attendance eh?
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