Thatcher returning to Chequers

Gordon Brown and Margaret Thatcher at Chequers tomorrow
Margaret Thatcher will return to Chequers for only the second time since leaving power tomorrow, Downing Street has confirmed.A No 10 spokesperson said the "longstanding invitation" had been accepted by Baroness Thatcher and that it would involve a private lunch with current prime minister Gordon Brown. The behind-closed-doors meeting will evoke memories of Ms Thatcher's trip to Downing Street one year ago, when Mr Brown stood on the steps of No 10 for a photocall with his political rival. That move outraged diehard Labour supporters for being seen with the enemy, while Conservatives were appalled by the apparent exploitation of the Iron Lady. Analysts attribute Mr Brown's enthusiasm to be seen with his ideological adversary because of his desire to be seen as a 'conviction' politician in Baroness Thatcher's ilk. Her daughter, Carol Thatcher, recently revealed the former prime minister was suffering from dementia. She is believed to have enthusiastically accepted the invitation, having not returned to Chequers since 1995.