New political award in memory of Lady Thatcher administered by the Centre for Policy Studies. Tim Knox states that Britain needed a Thatcherism for the 21st Century, new awards will honour ‘those who do the most to achieve this’. Sunday 21 April 2013.
To view the article, vist the Mail Online website
“They look set to take pride of place on the mantelpieces of devoted Thatcherites everywhere.
A new set of political awards is to be set up to keep the spirit of Baroness Thatcher alive – and there is already fevered speculation about who will be taking home the first prizes.
Appropriately named ‘The Maggies’, the honours will be bestowed on politicians judged to have done the most to build on the achievements of the former Prime Minister.
Tory peer Maurice Saatchi – the advertising guru whose ‘Labour Isn’t Working’ posters helped propel Lady Thatcher to power in 1979 – made clear the top accolade would be reserved for politicians who have shaken British politics to its core.
The 66-year-old, who is the brainchild behind the awards, said: ‘The centre ground of politics is dull, flat and arid.
‘That’s why the top Maggie will be for “moving the centre ground”.’
The first ceremony is due to take place in London on April 8 next year – the first anniversary of her death – and will be administered by the Centre for Policy Studies, the think-tank Lady Thatcher co-founded in 1974.
The names of the judges, along with details of the award categories and prizes, will be announced at a later date.
The organisers said the aim of the awards was to make Thatcherism a vital voice in contemporary politics.
CPS director Tim Knox said: ‘The lesson to be learned in the week of her funeral is Thatcherism is as relevant today as it was in the Eighties.’
He added Britain needed a Thatcherism for the 21st Century, saying the new awards will honour ‘those who do the most to achieve this’.
Last night, there was speculation among MPs as to who would win the first prizes – with some Eurosceptic Tories mischievously suggesting UKIP leader Nigel Farage, not David Cameron, should get the top award.”
To view the article, vist the Mail Online website
Date Added: Sunday 21st April 2013