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Biteback Publishing Paperback English
Marcia Williams
The Life and Times of Baroness Falkender
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Over a decade beforeMargaret Thatcher swept to power, another woman was running Britain from 10Downing Street: Marcia Williams was the first ever female political adviser toa Prime Minister and was said to have a powerful grip on her boss. A brilliant tactician,Marcia masterminded Labour Prime Minister Harold Wilson's multiple electionvictories. But misogyny, jealousy, a shocking private life and accusations ofmoney-grubbing and bribery all contributed to her reputation as a public nuisance. There is no doubt Marciawas outspoken, forthright and, by contemporary standards, deeplyunconventional. But her critics failed to understand her unbreakablepartnership with Wilson - they were politically wedded to each other and equalcontributors to his success. In this fascinatingbiography, updated with new insight regarding Wilson's Downing Street affairwith Janet Hewlett-Davies, Linda McDougall seeks to rescue Marcia frompreviously dismissive verdicts, suggesting a more nuanced perspective andrestoring this trailblazing pioneer to her rightful place in British politicalhistory.
Over a decade beforeMargaret Thatcher swept to power, another woman was running Britain from 10Downing Street: Marcia Williams was the first ever female political adviser toa Prime Minister and was said to have a powerful grip on her boss. A brilliant tactician,Marcia masterminded Labour Prime Minister Harold Wilson's multiple electionvictories. But misogyny, jealousy, a shocking private life and accusations ofmoney-grubbing and bribery all contributed to her reputation as a public nuisance. There is no doubt Marciawas outspoken, forthright and, by contemporary standards, deeplyunconventional. But her critics failed to understand her unbreakablepartnership with Wilson - they were politically wedded to each other and equalcontributors to his success. In this fascinatingbiography, updated with new insight regarding Wilson's Downing Street affairwith Janet Hewlett-Davies, Linda McDougall seeks to rescue Marcia frompreviously dismissive verdicts, suggesting a more nuanced perspective andrestoring this trailblazing pioneer to her rightful place in British politicalhistory.