Margaret Thatcher unable to attend her 85th birthday party

About 150 ministers, former ministers, MPs, and peers with careers stretching back over the last 40 years attended the reception at No 10 – the largest gathering of Thatcherite ministers in Downing Street since they themselves sat around the cabinet table more than 20 years ago.

Unfortunately, Baroness Thatcher had to pull out of the Downing Street party after she fell ill with flu. Mr Cameron read out a message from Lady Thatcher, in which she said: ‘I am so disappointed not to be with you this evening. I hope that you will appreciate that on this particular occasion I have had to accept that the Lady is not for returning. Please, please enjoy yourselves.’ A spokesman for Mr Cameron said he was ‘obviously disappointed’ at the news, and that another party would be organised once she recovers.

Lord Heseltine, who brought Mrs Thatcher’s premiership to an end when he stood against her for the leadership, was left off the guestlist which was co-ordinated between her office and Downing Street.

Also missing was Sir John Major, who succeeded Baroness Thatcher as Prime Minister. A spokeswoman for Sir John said the date clashed with a previous overseas engagement: “Very sadly he has had to decline as it is the one night this month when he is out of the country."

The media were kept at bay with no photographers or journalists allowed inside. A Conservative spokesman said: “It was an informal affair with just a few words from the Prime Minister."

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