Thatcher has died

Enjoyed that tweet, Bags.

I think she was an awful woman, who did nothing good for this country and I agree with all the other Gnetters views who wouldn't shed a tear for her. I think it will be sad for her family, she died in the Ritz Hotel, says it all really!

Thanks ga. I had a feeling it was true but couldn't remember where. Not surprising as that was my wedding anniversary (first husband) and we had something better to do than pay attention to That Woman.m

I think we have gone through a period when too many children and people have been given to understand “I have a problem, it is the Government's job to cope with it!” or “I have a problem, I will go and get a grant to cope with it!” “I am homeless, the Government must house me!” and so they are casting their problems on society and who is society? There is no such thing!.........There is no such thing as society.
Interview by Douglas Keay (for Woman's Own) with Margaret Thatcher Sept 23rd 1987.

If Tony Benn thought she was always pointing the wrong way she must have been pointing in the correct direction an awful lot of the time. After the abject mess of the Seventies she provided a vital corrective, and I say that with hindsight, never having voted for her at the time.

Love that anno!!

Bags I have just seen the tweet.

anno she can rust away as far as I am concerned as well.

Jess you are so lucky can I come to?

I heard this in the car about 12:30ish on my way to the shops.

I am going to be very p*** off by all the chat and garbage there will be on TV about her.

Reading the above I am obviously of the same opinion as many others.

OK She was a strong leader and went for what she thought was right but you could say that about an awful lot of very nasty dictators.

I recently watched the Iron lady film. it did make it clear what despair her cabinet ended up feeling at her total intransigence and inability to listen to others views and advice. Geoffrey Howe's resignation speech was a triumph.

I cannot think of a more hated prime minister and for me a lot of that was due to her total arrogance in not even being able to consider she might not have all the answers.

No tears here! I really hope we don't have to fork out for a big funeral. I think that would get me on train to London to protest.

absent

Goose Strange, given that he had two parents, when you think what a p*****r Mark turned out to be.

It's a sad day for her family and friends but I will never forgive her for how she stigmatized single mothers.

I have read that she never actually said "There is no such thing as society" but have never got round to checking whether that is true. I believe she also said something along the lines of "Anyone over 30 [or some similar age] who travels by bus is a failure" but I haven't checked that one either.

Sadly, I can't pretend it's original Ana. Some of us had tee-shirts printed with that slogan when she was ousted from office.

Very witty, anno!

The Iron Lady: May she rust in peace.

(dives for cover)

And as to her being "brave" in pursuing her principles, most of the time she had the full backing of the rich and powerful - including most of the media. It's easy to be courageous when you have such people behind you.

Yes Eloethan here in the NE there is a tendency to blame her for every bad thing that ever happens from the closing of a large factory to the bad weather. In my opinion she represented nothing but greed and selfishness.

It's sad, of course, for her family and close friends but I will not mourn her.

As for "blaming her for all our [current] ills", I would suggest she damaged so much in our society by her unwavering belief in a free and largely unregulated market, her enthusiasm for privatisation and the underlying belief in "me and mine" as opposed to "us and ours" ("no such thing as society"), that this country is still suffering the repercussions.

Mrs Thatcher destroyed industry in the NE and almost brought many of the mining communities to their knees. Sadly I do not think there will be any mourning for her loss here in Tyneside.

She was also known for taking the free milk from school children and was often referred to as Thatcher the milk snatcher.

I am sad about the dementia, and I agree with you soop A long and productive life. Whatever you think of her politics, she was our only woman prime minister, and although vilified by many, she was popular with many others.

Thankfully, there won`t be a state funeral, but still one with military honours, at St. Paul`s.

So much damage done that it is well nigh impossible to put right, she destroyed the good in society and replaced it with greed.
Watch Ken Loach's 'Spirit of 45' if you have any doubts.
A state funeral is most inappropriate, a dignified farewell allowing her admirers and family to pick up the tab would be better!

Agreed, Mishap.
Most headlines did not refer to 'Mr' Churchill - surely using only her name is a mark of her status, not the contrary.

I agree mishap, especially with your final point: the creation of the me culture and that quote 'There's no such thing as society'