Original whips' office notice of Margaret Thatcher's election as leader of the Conservative Party. de THATCHER, Margaret - 1975

[London:] 11 February, 1975. A pivotal moment in British history A most significant document in British political history: the announcement of Margaret Thatcher's election as leader of the Conservative Party, signed by Edward Du Cann, who presided over the election as chairman of the 1922 Committee, and by ten other members of the committee. This was one of a small number of copies, all signed by hand, which were distributed to announce the leader; this is the only example which can be traced on the market. Following the first ballot, where she defeated the former prime minister Edward Heath, Thatcher was here elected on the second ballot with well over half the votes, defeating her future ministers Willie Whitelaw, Geoffrey Howe, and James Prior. The document announces their relevant vote count, and with the confirmation of the chairman and the scrutineers declares that "The conditions of the procedure having been fulfilled Margaret Thatcher is elected". 1 page octavo, mimeographed text, signatures by hand in various pens. The document has unfortunately been affected by flood damage, leading to noticeable running of the ink. Slight crease from where it has been sometime folded. Overall in acceptable condition.