Baroness Thatcher is starting her life away from the political stage, one day after the announcement that she can never make another public speech because of failing health.

After her office revealed that doctors had ordered her to "take things easy" following a series of small strokes, Britain's only woman prime minister cancelled all future speaking engagements "with great regret".

Anyone who believes nothing more will be heard from Margaret Thatcher may well be in for a shock or two Norman Tebbit

Former colleagues paid tribute to her fighting spirit and Conservative Party leader Iain Duncan Smith said he was "saddened" by the news.

But Lord Tebbit insisted a lot more was still to be heard from the Iron Lady.

The former Tory chairman said: "She's still very alive, she's not lost her mind, she's not lost the ability to write and I think anyone who believes that nothing more will be heard from Margaret Thatcher may well be in for a shock or two."

'Undue strains'

A statement released by Lady Thatcher's office on Friday said: "Over recent months, Lady Thatcher has suffered a number of small strokes.

	Thatcher's soundbites "You turn if you want to. The lady's not for turning." To hear more: Click here To read more: Click here

"After thorough investigation, involving a number of tests, her doctors have told her that these can neither be predicted nor prevented.

"They have therefore told her to cut back her programme at once and in particular to avoid the undue strains that public speaking place on her."

Lady Thatcher's office said the move was a "precautionary measure" and that her speech had not been affected by the strokes, nor had she suffered paralysis or any other visible effects.

'Time to let go'

Following the announcement Lady Thatcher's former press secretary Sir Bernard Ingham told BBC News Online of her tirelessness.

He said: "I have never seen anybody take such enormous pains with a speech - to get the theme right, to get the subject right, the tone right and the words right."

Senior Conservative MP Ann Widdecombe praised Lady Thatcher's huge success and said the news was sad.

"At the same time, no matter how strong you are, no matter how significant your achievements there comes a time for everybody when you have to let go and hand over to new people," Miss Widdecombe told BBC News.

'Delighted and enraged'

Former Conservative vice-chairman Michael Dobbs suggested the move could help Lady Thatcher, because it would allow a fairer assessment of her place in history.

Mrs Thatcher's audiences may not have always liked her message but she always delivered it clearly and with firm conviction Scott, USA To read more of your comments, click here

Others suggested that it would help the current Tory leadership escape the problems of having a vocal and widely respected former leader constantly in the background.

But Lord Tebbit said she had "both delighted and enraged people" and would continue to do so.

His prediction follows the publication of Lady Thatcher's new book Statecraft earlier this week.

In it, she argues the UK should renegotiate its terms of EU membership.

Falklands anniversary

Michael Ancram, party deputy leader and shadow foreign secretary, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "I myself said in a lecture recently that we shouldn't be afraid of re-opening the treaties and revisiting those areas that are not working.

"I think we have to look very closely now at how Europe is working. I think there is a strong case for repatriation for large parts of agricultural policy, we know that the fishing policy simply hasn't worked."

Late last year, while on holiday in Madeira to celebrate her golden wedding anniversary with husband Sir Denis, Lady Thatcher suffered a minor stroke.

The peer, who was prime minister for 11 years, recently turned down an invitation to go to the Falklands to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Falklands War.

She made the decision because she did not think 86-year-old Sir Denis was fit for the long trip.