On what would have been Margaret Thatcher's 100th birthday, the Conservative Party's fixation with the former prime minister has intensified, with memorabilia ranging from branded Toby jugs to whisky, and even displays of her old clothes at party conference. The reverence, however, has taken on a tone that some observers describe as more cultish than nostalgic.
Journalist Zoe Williams, writing in The Guardian, notes a stark divide between the public's view of Thatcher and that of Tory members. At the recent Conservative conference, Thatcher references had evolved from simple memorabilia to a near-shrine, with cardboard cutouts, photo mosaics, and glass cases displaying her actual outfits. Williams describes the scene as 'eerie', comparing it to Miss Havisham rather than a museum exhibit.
The obsession was also evident during the 2022 leadership contest, where candidates like Kemi Badenoch, Penny Mordaunt, and Liz Truss each invoked Thatcher in different ways. Truss notably dressed in Thatcher's signature style, a move Williams likens to Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos's campaign tactics in the Philippines, using nostalgia to evoke past glories.
Williams argues that the current Tory fixation feels more devotional than nostalgic, and questions whether the pragmatic Thatcher would have approved. 'I cannot believe this is what she would have wanted,' she writes, highlighting the disconnect between the party's reverence and the former leader's known character.
