BY AQUASCUTUM, 1989

It was this suit which Mrs. Thatcher wore for her famed ‘NO NO NO’ speech in the House of Commons on 30 October 1990, which has come to characterise her no nonsense style of politics. The speech was on the subject of increased European economic and monetary union, which she considered to represent an erosion of British sovereignty. This speech came shortly before Sir Geoffrey Howe’s resignation on 1 November, largely brought about by their differing stances on Europe. It was his resignation speech which opened the door for the leadership challenge, which would ultimately lead to Mrs. Thatcher’s own resignation and departure from office before the month was out.

This suit was a firm favourite amongst Mrs. Thatcher’s wardrobe from the moment she was photographed choosing it with her stylist, Margaret King, in 1989. In addition to the occasion of the ‘NO NO NO’ speech Mrs. Thatcher had also worn it at her final Conservative Party Conference as well as on numerous other occasions throughout 1989 and into the early 1990s, including when giving a candid interview on the subject of her last days in power. The sapphire blue suit was long a staple amongst Mrs. Thatcher’s wardrobe and it was one such suit that she wore when entering number 10 Downing Street as Prime Minister for the first time on 4 May 1979 and it was another in which she chose to give her last speech as Prime Minister in the House of Commons on 22 November 1990. However, the whereabouts of these suits is not known.