The political portraits worth £250,000 - in pictures

Margaret Thatcher stands in front of a bronze statue of herself, inside the Palace of Westminster in 2007 Photograph: Johnny Green/PA

A portrait of Tony Blair by artist Phil Hale goes on show at Portcullis House in Westminster in 2008 Photograph: Stefan Rousseau/PA Archive/Press Association Images

Kenneth Clarke by James Lloyd Photograph: James Lloyd

Diane Abbott by artist Stuart Pearson Wright, on display in Portcullis House Photograph: Stuart Pearson Wright

Speaker Michael J Martin and John Major at the unveiling of a bronze bust of the former Prime Minister, at the Member's Lobby in the House of Commons, 2007 Photograph: Houses of Parliament/PA Archive/Press Association Images

A portrait of Tony Benn, by artist Humphrey Ocean, at the National Portrait Gallery in London Photograph: PA Archive/Press Association Images

Betty Boothroyd attends the unveiling of her portrait by artist Jane Bond in 2000 Photograph: Peter Jordan/PA

John and Norma Major pose in front of a painting of themselves by John Wonnacott at the National Portrait Gallery in London Photograph: David Cheskin/PA Archive/Press Association Images

Iain Duncan Smith unveils his portrait by Paul Benney at Portcullis House in 2005 Photograph: Graham Turner for The Guardian

John Major and Tony Benn share a joke at the National Portrait Gallery, where new paintings of the two were unveiled in 1997 Photograph: David Cheskin/PA Archive/Press Association Images