Margaret Thatcher was briefed on The Sex Pistols while Prime Minister, private papers show
Aides gave Mrs Thatcher the lowdown on the punk rockers ahead of an interview with teen pop magazine Smash Hits, which they warned her she 'may not enjoy'
MARGARET Thatcher was briefed on The Sex Pistols while PM — for an interview with teen pop magazine Smash Hits, newly released private papers reveal.
Aides fixed up the March 1987 interview in an effort to show Mrs Thatcher was “in touch” with youth trends and warned her: “You may not enjoy this.”
The briefing included a history of punk — described as “a very basic musical style featuring a strange bunch of anti- establishment acts, most famous of which were The Sex Pistols with songs such as God Save The Queen and Anarchy In The UK.”
Mrs Thatcher was urged to show she was “confident and relaxed” when asked questions on music.
The briefing said: "You may not enjoy this interview.
"Mr Hibbert [then deputy editor] may ask superficial questions which betray a lack of understanding.
"The challenge will be to demonstrate that just because you are not part of the pop scene, you are still in touch with youngsters.”
Chris Collins, of the Margaret Thatcher Foundation, said she would have been aware of The Sex Pistols because of their notoriety in the ’70s.
He added: “She would not necessarily have wanted to be reminded about them.”
Her weird cold soup
A STARTER made from cold beef soup, cream cheese and curry powder was one of Mrs Thatcher’s go-to recipes, her papers reveal.
The ingredients were blended together and left to set before being served in ramekins, topped with jellied soup and a black olive.
Other favourites included lamb chops in a parcel and orange and walnut cake.
Thatcher historian Chris Collins said: “I don’t think she was a genius in the kitchen. But she was game.”
No fourth term plea
ONE of Mrs Thatcher’s most trusted advisers urged her not to stand for a fourth term in office.
Private secretary Charles Powell wrote to the PM after she overcame a disastrous campaign to win in 1987.
He said the abuse was “unbelievable” and told her: “I hope that you will not put yourself through it again.”
Lord Powell said: “As far as I remember she did not comment. In the light of subsequent events my advice looks pretty sound.”
