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 off...