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When and in what context did Margaret Thatcher say that, "A man riding a bus (to work) at age 26 may count himself a failure"?

Question #50815. Asked by bloomsby.
Last updated Aug 24 2016.

Brainyblonde
Answer has 6 votes
Brainyblonde
24 year member
1455 replies

Answer has 6 votes.
'A man who, beyond the age of 26, finds himself on a bus can count himself as a failure' (1986)
cited in Commons debates, 2003-07-02, col 407
link http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Margaret_Thatcher

Response last updated by zorba_scank on Aug 24 2016.
Sep 06 2004, 11:13 AM
zorba_scank
Answer has 7 votes
Currently Best Answer
zorba_scank
Moderator
21 year member
149 replies

Answer has 7 votes.

Currently voted the best answer.
Misattributed to Margaret Thatcher according to the following explanation:

Attributed to her in Commons debates, 2003-07-02, column 407 and Commons debates, 2004-06-15 column 697. According to a letter to the Daily Telegraph by Alistair Cooke on 2 November 2006, this sentiment originated with Loelia Ponsonby, one of the wives of 2nd Duke of Westminster who said "Anybody seen in a bus over the age of 30 has been a failure in life". In a letter published the next day, also in the Daily Telegraph, Hugo Vickers claims Loelia Ponsonby admitted to him that she had borrowed it from Brian Howard. There is no solid evidence that Margaret Thatcher ever quoted this statement with approval, or indeed shared the sentiment.

link https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Margaret_Thatcher#Misattributed

Aug 24 2016, 10:38 AM
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