JOHN & EDWINA: A LOVE TORY: PM's SHY, SAD WIFE

NORMA Major was the household name who simply hated being in the limelight.

When her husband lost the 1997 General election, she already had her suitcases packed ready at Downing Street the day before. And in the run-up to the 1992 election, which he won, Norma was said to be hoping he would lose.

Keen needlewoman Norma was the opposite of the glamorous political wife, favouring high-street labels such as Windsmoor and Marks & Spencer - and kitting John out in them too.

She hated living in London and much preferred their Huntingdon constituency home.

On the surface, their marriage was happy - but friends say she felt often felt lonely. And they insist she hated his older brother Terry.

Norma said her proudest achievement was being a mum to Elizabeth, 30, and James, 27.

Similarly, while Edwina Currie revelled in the spotlight, her first husband Ray, 57, always preferred life in the shadows.

They married in 1970 but he was the mainstay of family life with their two daughters Debbie, 27, and Susie, 25, as she rose to high office. In September 1997, shortly after Edwina lost her South Derbyshire seat in the General Election, Edwina and Ray announced they had separated after 27 years of marriage.

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