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Remind you of anyone? Comparing the gendered heroic leadership of Margaret Thatcher and Theresa May

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Abstract

Women leaders must still negotiate the boundaries and limitations of a highly masculine office. This article compares the strategies and approaches of two UK Prime Ministers who sought to do so: Margaret Thatcher and Theresa May. This article asks whether, and how, their positioning helped them to navigate the significant gendered barriers to women operating in executive institutions. A close comparison reveals the two leaders adopted a similar approach, styling themselves as ‘heroic’ and radical outsiders to govern within the masculine office of Prime Minister. In office, the two leaders adopted a comparable style, pursued a strong vision, and sought to closely control their inner courts. However, their performance and governing context made for very different outcomes. In their performance, Thatcher proved an adept communicator and operator, while May showed poor skills and communicative abilities. Moreover, while Thatcher navigated entrenched gender norms in an increasingly favourable context, May governed during the brittle politics of Brexit, over a far more deeply divided Cabinet and party.

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  1. Birkbeck College, University of London, London, WC1E 7HX, UK

    Ben Worthy & Laura Richards-Gray

  2. University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland

    Jessica C. Smith

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Worthy, B., Smith, J. & Richards-Gray, L. Remind you of anyone? Comparing the gendered heroic leadership of Margaret Thatcher and Theresa May. Br Polit 19, 288–306 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1057/s41293-023-00245-y

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