Over a decade before
Margaret Thatcher swept to power, another woman was running Britain from 10
Downing Street: Marcia Williams was the first ever female political adviser to
a 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 election
victories. But misogyny, jealousy, a shocking private life and accusations of
money-grubbing and bribery all contributed to her reputation as a public nuisance.
There is no doubt Marcia
was outspoken, forthright and, by contemporary standards, deeply
unconventional. But her critics failed to understand her unbreakable
partnership with Wilson - they were politically wedded to each other and equal
contributors to his success.
In this fascinating
biography, updated with new insight regarding Wilson's Downing Street affair
with Janet Hewlett-Davies, Linda McDougall seeks to rescue Marcia from
previously dismissive verdicts, suggesting a more nuanced perspective and
restoring this trailblazing pioneer to her rightful place in British political
history.
Paperback / softback | 320 pages | Published July 2024
