Cherie Blair pens book

2004-01-17 18:31

London - Cherie Blair, 49, wife of British Prime Minister Tony Blair, is writing a book about her experiences as a politician's wife in Downing Street, she told The Times newspaper in an interview published on Saturday.

The work entitled "The Goldfish Bowl" is almost finished, she said, and will be published under her maiden name Cherie Booth on September 23.

Blair, who is a leading barrister and mother of four children, writes not only about her own experiences, but deals with those of her predecessors, including Denis Thatcher, husband of Margaret Thatcher.

Cherie Blair is co-writing the book with Cate Haste, a social historian, and bases her work on interviews and discussions with the spouses of former prime ministers.

Not only did she interview Denis Thatcher before his death in 2003, but also Norma Major, wife of former prime minister John Major, the wives of Harold Wilson and Anthony Eden, Winston Churchill's children plus Alec Douglas-Hume and one of Harold Macmillan's grandchildren.

She told The Times: "I was fascinated by what they told me about what had changed and what had stayed the same, and about what life had been like in Downing Street for the spouse of the prime minister."

The idea for the book stemmed "from some wonderful conversations I had at a dinner to celebrate the Queen's Golden Jubilee in 2002", Cherie Blair added.

In the past six years as a politician's wife in Downing Street, Cherie Blair has placed great emphasis on her professional independence and protecting her privacy. - Sapa-dpa

- SAPA