"When I first looked through the papers the hairs went up on the back of my neck because they are of huge importance, they led to our first female prime minister." Hanover Forbes "It wasn't until 1928 until women had equal voting rights with the men in this country," Mr Schwinge added. "I think things do turn up but these are really very special. I have to say they are the most exciting political papers I have dealt with."
"The found document is headed: 'Election of a leader of the Conservative Party' and is dated 11 February 1975. It carries the signatures of the scrutineers and that of Margaret Thatcher. She won with 146 votes. Thatcher wrote underneath 'I consent to be nominated' and she signed it 'Margaret H [Hilda] Thatcher' on 27 January 1975. The documents will be sold at auction at Duke's of Dorchester on 29 January 2026."
A nomination paper signed by Margaret H [Hilda] Thatcher that led to her election as Conservative Party leader was discovered in a cardboard box in a Somerset garage. The archive belonged to Sir Edward du Cann, former MP for Taunton and ex-chairman of the Conservative Party, whose decision to step aside facilitated Thatcher's nomination. The document is headed 'Election of a leader of the Conservative Party', dated 11 February 1975, shows scrutineer signatures and Thatcher's signature, and notes she won with 146 votes. The archive will be auctioned at Duke's of Dorchester on 29 January 2026 with a £100,000 estimate, which watchers expect may be exceeded.
Read at www.bbc.com
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