She is not campaigning for Howard, and British papers quote a close friend of the baroness as saying, "She wants to see a Conservative government again. She is frustrated that is not going to happen, despite the Labour Government's serious shortcomings and all Tony Blair’s lies."

The Iron Lady is in Venice, Italy, for a few days, but reportedly will return before the vote on May 5.

The Times of London quotes Thatcher's friend as adding, "She is frustrated that we [the Tories] are not winning."

A succession of slight heart episodes has forced the former prime minister to curtail her regular public speaking engagements, and although she has attended a few fund-raisers for the Tory Party in general, her friend is quoted as saying that Lady Thatcher will not comment on Tory leader Michael Howard's strategy, and had decided not to take part in this campaign because of her frailty.

"She is 80 this year, she knows that she has had her day and that it is for other people to fight the fight," the friend said.

Thatcher has been active in politics for 70 years, first participating by stuffing envelopes for her father in 1935, the Times reported.

Editor's note:
If you love Winston Churchill – you’ll love NewsMax’s "Churchill Collection" – Check it out – Click Here Now
Get the USS Ronald Reagan Cap FREE – Click Here Now
Your Success Depends on How You Speak – Find out the power of "Success Talk" – Click Here Now