Thatcher has died

Thoroughly enjoyed the blog from this intelligent young man. Wish I could write so.

I didn't like Mrs Thatcher, I never voted for her. I thought her effect on this country was divisive and deleterious.

But I respect her. She was a conviction politician with a clear set of principles which she stood by and defended. Since then we have had a set of devious and shifty Prime Ministers of both parties who wouldn't recognise a principle if it climbed into bed with them smoking a pipe.

David Cameron's mealy mouthed tribute to her was drawn up with one eye on the opinion polls and the other on the many Thatcherites still active in his party. She was a woman who succeeded where no other woman has succeeded before, who was Prime Minister longer than any other Prime Minister in her century. She trod the international stage like a Colossus and was widely respected by political leaders through out the world. Respect where respect is due.

Her son doesn't seem to have much time for Britain. What a little, snivelling twerp - apparently she adored him. Carole has always been rather ambivalent about her childhood.

Tony Blair had many failings but coming up with a good soundbite wasn't one of them. However, David Cameron really doesn't have the knack. She was the "patriotic prime minister' just doesn't match up to the "people's princess" and makes one think that even he considers all the others to have been self-seeking b******s.

Good article here.

Her mind died some years ago. Her body yesterday. But her legacy of a more selfish Britain, an intolerance of the weak and vulnerable lives on.

Undoubtedly, she was a powerful and effective PM and succeeded in transforming this country so that the centre ground has moved inexorably to the right.

However, I have to say that in many ways my anger is greater towards James Callaghan and some TU leaders who destroyed Barbara Castles's In Place of Strife. If that had been put in place with the rule of law regulating the unions, we might have had cooperation instead of confrontation. And a much kinder country.

The BBC this morning was describing how the news of Baroness Thatcher's death has been received in America. I was astonished to hear a newreader/anchorman say that she came to power after 30 years of socialism in Britain.

I would not dream of behaving in that fashion, Ceesnan.
I am puzzled to keep reading that she 'saved' Britain. If she did, why are things so bad now?

Like gracesmum and harrigran I find this display of unpleasantness disturbing. Will someone admit that they have been dancing around singing "hurray the witch is dead" ?

Greatnan you asked how the news is being taken here - ambivalent I suppose. Here's our Queensland daily newspaper:

www.couriermail.com.au/news/world/margaret-thatcher-dies-some-pay-tribute-while-others-party-in-the-streets/story-fnd12peo-1226615333516

I knew she was a bad 'un from the start, but I left the UK the year she got elected, and watched her deeds with horror from afar. Her father used to be on the boards for poor relief, and when the starving poor went to claim a few shillings, they just went home if he was there, rather than be humiliated. She loved an admired him. Nuff said.

Thanks greatnan. I know very little about politics. I think John smith would have been a good Prime Minister too. I did admire Margaret Thatcher but certainly not towards the end of her "reign".

There is an impressive degree of arrogance in making it clear that she didn't want a state funeral. I have to say that I think cremation is wise – a marked grave would be a magnet for fools, bores and loonies of all political colours and none.

I do object to roads being closed for Margaret Thatcher's funeral. Anybody with a taxed and insured vehicle is entitled to drive on those roads at any time.
Also I hope the tax payers will not be funding expenses like extra police for the funeral.

Frank

Her coffin will be carried on a gun carriage. Hmm...........

Joan - how is the news being treated over there?

She was not a friend or relative of mine - I thought that meaning was obvious.

34 years too late.

It's interesting to see that in previous discussions re welfare, large families, etc., those who have previously implied that they are "broadminded" and politically neutral (as opposed to those expressing "narrow" or "closed" views ruled by political ideology), seem to have taken up a distinctly political position in this thread.

You do not know that Greatnan

But she was not a friend or relative.

I was saddened to read the comments. When anyone announces a death of friend or relative you are so supportive and say the right thing and yet today I am hearing people saying they are cheering on the death of an elderly lady, shame on you

And we're now dependant [and have been for many years] on getting our energy from other countries. And have no manufacturing industries to speak of. I understand that China are opening up coal mines all the time. I don't agree with the taxpayer having to subsidise people that actually 'want' to work. And anyone that lived/worked north of Watford in those days counted for nothing.

bluebell yes, on form as Ana says but not very impressive form sadly.

Does no one remember what Britian was like in the 70s pre Thatcher? The sick man of Europe? Ruled by the Trades Unions? I can quite understand that if you lived and worked in an industrial area of the country and those industries ceased to exist then Margaret Thatcher is evil incarnate but I don't believe that inefficient, unprofitable industries should be subsidised by the tax payer. I guess that's the difference. Does anyone believe that without the Thatcher years, we'd be the industrial country of days of yore? Nationalised car production, railways, telephones etc?

I was quite surprised that the coverage on Radio 4 Pm was quite balanced and didn't just make fawning noises about her. There was a great deal of discussion about how how much she was disliked and even a Tory MP admitted she had become over bearing and had lost touch with the public and her cabinet. Delusions of grandure and immortality! a number of PMs seem to get like that.

Geoffrey Howes resignation speech says a lot. I still remember it it was what finally did for her as PM. When a respected colleague has a go at her like he did, you don't stand a chance.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=kvyAMjGSoKQ