Policy Exchange invites you to

The launch of The Thatcher Centenary Project: The 50th Anniversary of her election as Conservative Party Leader

4th February 2025 is the 50th anniversary of the first ballot of the Conservative Party Leadership Contest that deposed Edward Heath – and which vaulted Margaret Thatcher into the top job.

This is the opening event in Policy Exchange’s Thatcher Centenary Project – led here by her authorised biographer, Lord Moore of Etchingham.

The event is divided into two parts. The first focuses on the actual events of the dramatic dethroning of a Conservative leader – with many of the key witnesses on all sides of that event offering their reflections.

After an interval where drinks and canapés will be served, a second panel will focus on the lessons of the 1975 Conservative Leadership contest for the Future of the Right.

Event 1:

The 1975 Conservative Party Leadership Contest: Memories and Reflections

with

John O’Sullivan CBE 
Assistant Editor of The Daily Telegraph
Later Speechwriter for Margaret Thatcher

Lord Vinson LVO 
Early supporter of Margaret Thatcher 

Lady Wakeham
Secretary to Margaret Thatcher as
Leader of the Opposition

Rt Hon Lord Waldegrave of North Hill  
Head of Rt Hon Edward Heath MP’s Private Office

Chaired by

Lord Moore of Etchingham 
Senior Fellow, Policy Exchange
Authorised biographer of Margaret Thatcher

Drinks and canapés
18:30 – 19:00

Event 2:

Looking Forward: Lessons of the 1975 Leadership Contest

with 

Lord Kempsell 
Former Director Conservative Research Department

Katie Lam MP 
Member of Parliament for Weald of Kent

Lord Moore of Etchingham 
Senior Fellow, Policy Exchange
Authorised biographer of Margaret Thatcher

Baroness Moyo 
Global economist

Chaired by

Lord Goodman of Wycombe 
Senior Fellow and Head of the Future of
the Right Project, Policy Exchange

Time and Date 

Tuesday 4th February 2025

Registration from 17:15

Event 1:
17:30 pm – Event start 
18:30 pm – Event close 

Drinks and canapés
18:30 – 19:00pm

Event 2:
19:00 pm – Event start 
20:00 pm – Event close 

Venue: Central London Location To Be Confirmed