MP Nigel Evans swapped drinks and conversation with Sir Dennis Thatcher during a recent Commons lunch for small businessmen.
Sir Dennis, famous for his liking of the odd G and T, heard the Ribble Valley Tory call for less red tape.
Mr Evans, who hosted the lunch, said: "We need to do more to get red tape and needless bureaucracy off the backs of small businesses.
"My own constituency is vibrant due to the dedication and skill of hundreds of small businessmen. It's thanks to them that we have one of the lowest levels of unemployment in the UK.
"We must ensure that policies and regulations are interpreted fairly and flexibly so that our small businesses can flourish. They are the backbone of the UK.
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