A remarkable piece of political history has emerged from the archives of a Somerset school, revealing that Margaret Thatcher predicted she would become Britain's first female leader when she was just a schoolgirl.
The Prophetic School Assignment
Written in 1942 when the future Prime Minister was a 16-year-old pupil at Kesteven and Grantham Girls' School, the essay was discovered at the former Hunstrete House school near Bath. The document forms part of a collection being sold by a former teacher and offers extraordinary insight into Thatcher's early political ambitions.
"I Should Like to Be a Member of Parliament"
In the carefully preserved essay, the young Margaret Roberts wrote with striking confidence: "I should like to be a Member of Parliament... but there are great disadvantages being a woman... I should like to be the first woman to take a prominent part in running the country."
Her words proved remarkably prescient, coming nearly four decades before she entered 10 Downing Street as Britain's first female Prime Minister in 1979.
Historical Significance
The discovery provides fascinating context to Thatcher's political journey. Written during the Second World War, the essay shows that even as a teenager, she possessed both the ambition and political awareness that would define her career.
Key aspects of the essay include:
- Clear articulation of political ambitions from age 16
- Awareness of gender barriers in politics
- Determination to overcome those barriers
- Confidence in her own capabilities
From School Essay to Political Reality
The document serves as a powerful reminder that great political careers often begin with humble origins. Thatcher's schoolgirl prediction, written in wartime Britain when female political leadership remained rare, demonstrates extraordinary vision and self-belief.
The essay is now expected to attract significant interest from political historians and collectors, offering a unique window into the formative years of one of Britain's most influential postwar leaders.
