Austin Mitchell's widow writes candid biography of controversial confidant of former prime minister

 

UNSURPRISINGLY not much has been heard of Linda McDougall since her husband, former Grimsby MP Austin Mitchell, died in August 2021. 

Now living in London, she has kept busy writing a book about Marcia Williams, Baroness Falkender, who was a political adviser and romantic 'flame' of former Labour prime minister Harold Wilson. 

Historians have described the relationship between Williams and Labour Prime Minister Harold Wilson as one of the most famous but mysterious partnerships in modern political history. 

A brilliant tactician, she masterminded Wilson’s multiple election victories. Indeed, he said that, but for her ingenuity, he would never have become Prime Minister.

But misogyny, jealousy, a shocking private life and accusations of money-grubbing and bribery all contributed to her reputation as a public nuisance. 

There is little doubt Williams was outspoken, forthright and, by contemporary standards, deeply unconventional. 

In this biography, Linda McDougall seeks to rescue Marcia from previously dismissive verdicts, suggesting a more nuanced context in which to assess her actions as a trailblazing pioneer in British politics.

The book is published at £19.99 by Biteback Publishing.