Thatcher's dead.

[Seanl]

Well being in the Forces, I have much respect for the Lady. I was born whilst the Falklands was going on, (started 31 years ago last week for those that don't know) and my Uncle was in the Navy also. Family had much respect for the fact the she realised our Armed Forces were on the brink of collapse, (much the same as they are now actually) and took necessary action to ensure we are still on the global power map, being only one of seven recognised states with a Nuclear capability. Without this bargaining chip, we would probably be thought of in terms of Economic power, something akin to Spain/Portugal/Greece.
We moved with the times ffs, is mining for coal really big business now, No! We would have been left behind and not progressed. It would have happened a few years down the line regardless, but those that were affected are still bitter and were in that mindset where they wouldn't look at the bigger picture.

[Len]

Those on here, that are old enough to remember just how dismal the seventies were, will know just how bad it was, first hand!
Raging inflation, Power cuts, the 3 day working week (because the Trade Unions were controlling Coal supply! and efforts had to be made to conserve fuel!... imagine that today!) Mountains of refuge dumped in the streets, Industry completely crippled by Trade Unions, and a complete lack of foreign manufacturing companies definitely not wanting to invest... why would they! This list, that is a British disgrace goes on and on. Decades later. we have no Car manufacturing to speak of, Car production is now pretty much all Foreign owned, companies are now happy to do business, now the Trade Unions are out the way! The rest have gone, Austin, Morris, Rover, Triumph, Daimler, again the list goes on, and on.
Nationalised Industries, Coal, Steel, Rail etc etc were literally hemorrhaging money, for many different reasons, and not forgetting our beloved "Welfare State" was now in full swing
Britain was a sh!thole, in a big mess, being run by overpowered Trade Unions

Yep, this country was just fantastic before Thatcher came along!

Thom

Yes you are correct to a point.
The Unions definitely needed sorting but she went too far.
Yes the Mining industry was costing us a fortune but what did it cost to have all those men out of work?
Plus not earning so not spending!
Rail - yes it was costing a lot. But she sold it off to a private company that then did no maintenance on the infrastructure. Then it had to be brought back and only now are we catching up on those missed years!
Yes she was a great politician I give her that and she did good with the Falklands, but the bad she did outweighs that for me.
She is held up as a champion for women but she didnt have many women in her Cabinet!

[Thom89]

Len, I only mentioned what the country was like before she was in power! Not after she was elected, you tell me, what the hell was the alternative! The country was dead, the general public were sick to death of the nation on strike, it needed sorting! If it was a bloke that was elected, i doubt most people wouldn't be able to even remember his name!
Thatcher made mistakes, but don't they all...

Thom

[golf-sib]

What I don't get is, if she was so great, why do the majority population despise her? You talk to a British person abroad or in the UK then 70% will say something negative. Surely that's not a great sign of a supposed great leader?

I can't comment on her because I wasn't around, but basing things I've heard regarding Thatcher over many years growing up and the present, the things said were majority of the time negative

[Kerrse]

Len, I only mentioned what the country was like before she was in power! Not after she was elected, you tell me, what the hell was the alternative! The country was dead, the general public were sick to death of the nation on strike, it needed sorting! If it was a bloke that was elected, i doubt most people wouldn't be able to even remember his name!
Thatcher made mistakes, but don't they all...

Thom

Is the country not still dead ?  It matters nothing who is in power they all f**k us in the end 

[Len]

Thom

I dunno mate but she is famous for some very bad things in my opinion. As I have listed.
I mean she was famous for saying this lady is not for turning. What about the Pole Tax?

[mac7]

What I don't get is, if she was so great, why do the majority population despise her? You talk to a British person abroad or in the UK then 70% will say something negative.

Do the majority really despise her, or is it just a vocal minority who are heard?

[AudiA8Quattro]

What I don't get is, if she was so great, why do the majority population despise her? You talk to a British person abroad or in the UK then 70% will say something negative.

Do the majority really despise her, or is it just a vocal minority who are heard?

I would say it's the vocal minority,the press, praising her.

[Bellend]

Didn't read whole thread but I'm pretty happy I know pretty much next to nothing about her when I hear about things like this. People call me stupid but I just simply couldn't care any less.

Life's a b!tch and so are people in power. Get over it.

[Diamond Hell]

You should care because, as outlined by the current PM today, she drew lines on a political map which are still being followed today.

That's not a good thing.

Let's talk about quantitative easing, which is currently screwing things up.

Let's talk about 'free market economy' which is still syphoning wealth out of the country.

Let's talk about Conservative councils who are still selling off our publicly owned assets on her model.

I could go on, but apparently you're thick and won't read things, so educating you would be a job too tough for me.

It's her legacy which is poisonous, which is why it needs discussing, to help people understand why we're still on a dangerous trajectory.