Margaret Thatcher is one of the towering politicians of the twentieth century. In terms of influence and recognition, she ranks with Winston Churchill and remains probably the most important British leader for fifty years.

IAIN DALE – AUTHOR

Iain is the author of one of the most seminal biographies on the late Prime Minister, draws on his own personal anecdotes of meeting and recording her memorable life and those who experienced a close encounter with the Iron Lady, among them: -• Ronald Reagan, Mikhail Gorbachev, Bob Hawke, Boris Johnson, Michael Howard, William Hague, Ann Widdecombe, Edwina Currie, Alan Clark, Norman Tebbit and Geoffrey Howe, whose resignation speech in Parliament can be said to have brought to a dramatic end the Thatcher Era.

IAIN DALE IS A FORMIDABLE SPEAKER AND AMONGST HIS MANY PASSIONS IS THE NHS:

50 things which could make the NHS better

The NHS is an institution close to the hearts of most Britons. People even profess to ‘love it’. But it is now of pensionable age and, some would say, no longer fit for purpose.

It isn’t possible to reform the NHS until we accept that it cannot meet every demand made of it. We need to embrace the private sector rather than belittle or restrict it.

This speech does not seek to denigrate or dismantle the NHS, but to identify the issues that need to be addressed head-on, whichever party is in power. It will make uncomfortable reading for some.