Last Updated on February 2, 2025 by Iain
Brian & Maggie: Oxford’s Unlikely Double Act
Oxford has shaped many of Britain’s greatest minds, but few took such different paths from their time at the university as Brian Walden and Margaret Thatcher.
Celebrated in a TV drama series “Brian And Maggie“, this unlikely duo may have changed history.
One was a sharp-witted, chain-smoking, Labour-supporting Brummie-turned-broadcaster.
The other, a steely-eyed grocer’s daughter who would become Britain’s first female Prime Minister.
Both studied at Oxford.
Walden honed his skills in rhetoric and political theory at The Queen’s College, while Thatcher spent her university years delving into chemistry at Somerville College.
Let’s take a look at how these two very different Oxford alumni made their mark.
Brian Walden: The Eloquent Brummie
- Born: 1932 in West Bromwich, a town famous for heavy industry, football (West Bromwich Albion FC), and its no-nonsense attitude.
- Family: Son of a glassworker, growing up in a working-class environment that shaped his Labour-leaning politics.
- Education: West Bromwich Grammar School, where his sharp intellect stood out.
Oxford Days – The Queen’s College
- Walden won an open scholarship to The Queen’s College, Oxford – an impressive feat for a lad from the Black Country.
- He studied History, which gave him a deep understanding of political movements and the skill to argue his way out of (or into) anything.
- He was elected President of the Oxford Union in 1957, a prestigious role that honed his debating prowess.
- He stayed on at Oxford for postgraduate study, moving to Nuffield College to specialise in political science.
What’s Special About The Queen’s College?
- Founded in 1341, making it one of Oxford’s older colleges.
- Named after Queen Philippa, wife of King Edward III.
- Known for its grand, classical architecture, particularly its beautiful Front Quad and Chapel.
- Has a strong tutorial system, meaning students receive close one-on-one teaching.
- Home to notable alumni, including Tim Berners-Lee (inventor of the World Wide Web).
Brian Walden: The Man with the Silver Tongue
- After Oxford, Walden went into politics, becoming a Labour MP.
- Later, he became one of Britain’s most feared political interviewers, hosting Weekend World.
- His style? Ruthlessly polite but utterly relentless—politicians dreaded facing him.
- A heavy smoker with a Brummie twang, he was known for his witty yet devastating interviews.
- He once famously annihilated Prime Minister Jim Callaghan in an interview, arguably helping Thatcher’s election win in 1979—even though he was a Labour man!
Margaret Thatcher: The Grantham Chemist Turned Iron Lady
- Born: 1925 in Grantham, Lincolnshire—a town known for its biscuits, tractors, and stubborn self-reliance.
- Family: Daughter of Alfred Roberts, a Methodist grocer and local mayor who instilled in her a strong work ethic.
- Education: Attended Kesteven and Grantham Girls’ School, excelling in science.
Oxford Days – Somerville College
- Thatcher won a place at Somerville College, Oxford, in 1943, one of Oxford’s first colleges for women.
- She studied Chemistry, a subject that helped develop her rigorous, analytical mindset.
- She worked under Dorothy Hodgkin, a Nobel Prize-winning scientist, specialising in X-ray crystallography.
- Her political interests grew at Oxford, and she became President of the Oxford University Conservative Association in 1946.
What’s Special About Somerville College?
- Founded in 1879 as a women’s college, when Oxford wasn’t exactly welcoming to female scholars.
- Named after Mary Somerville, a brilliant Scottish mathematician and astronomer.
- Unlike many Oxford colleges, it was non-denominational, allowing students from all backgrounds.
- Became fully coeducational in 1994.
- Has a strong tradition of producing influential women, including Indira Gandhi and, of course, Thatcher.
Margaret Thatcher: The Chemist with a Cause
- Though she studied science, Thatcher was always more drawn to politics.
- She found science too “impersonal” (imagine if she’d stayed in chemistry—Britain might have had a very different history!).
- Her time at Oxford solidified her conservative ideology and determination to break barriers.
- The nickname “Iron Lady” came much later, but her Oxford tutors probably saw it coming!
The Oxford Connection: Brian and Maggie
While they were at Oxford a few years apart, Thatcher and Walden were both involved in Oxford’s political scene.
- Walden, a Labour man, was a master of rhetoric and debate.
- Thatcher, a Conservative, was already displaying the no-nonsense determination that would define her career.
- While they never squared off at the Oxford Union, they later clashed in politics and television.
A Humorous Anecdote: Walden vs Thatcher
When Brian Walden interviewed Thatcher during her time as Prime Minister, it was a battle of wits:
- Walden, ever the smooth, probing journalist, tried to catch her off-guard.
- Thatcher, never one to be intimidated, batted away his questions with her trademark confidence.
- At one point, she cut him off mid-question, delivering one of her famous “No, Brian!” lines.
- Walden later admitted that interviewing her was “like trying to climb a greased pole”—no matter how hard he tried, he just couldn’t knock her off balance!
Oxford’s Legacy: How It Shaped Them Both
Though they took opposite political paths, Oxford gave both Walden and Thatcher:
- A fierce intellect – The university’s tutorial system demanded rigorous thinking.
- A talent for debate – Both were masterful at defending their views.
- Connections – Oxford’s elite circles put them in touch with future movers and shakers.
- Confidence – Whether on TV or in Parliament, neither ever backed down from a fight.
Final Thoughts: Brian & Maggie – Two Sides of the Same Oxford Coin?
On the surface, Brian Walden and Margaret Thatcher couldn’t have been more different:
- He smoked, drank, and charmed his way through life with wit and words.
- She was disciplined, driven, and focused, with an unwavering sense of purpose.
Yet, both were intellectually formidable, fiercely independent, and utterly unshakeable—two true products of Oxford.
One used his sharp mind to hold politicians to account. The other became the most powerful politician in the country.
Would Walden have made a great Prime Minister?
Would Thatcher have been a brilliant interviewer?
We’ll never know. But one thing’s certain: Oxford left its mark on both of them, and in turn, they left their mark on Britain.
Come on one of my Oxford University Tours and find out more about this unlikely double act!
You can watch the original Brian and Maggie interview here:
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