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30 Years On, Thatcher Still Divides

Britain's first female PM polarized during her rule, and after

By Jason Farago,  Newser Staff

Posted May 4, 2009 8:47 AM CDT
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(Newser) – Thirty years ago today British voters elected Margaret Thatcher in a landmark election, ushering in 18 years of Conservative rule. She remains a polarizing figure: her enemies still regard her as nearly diabolical, while her admirers speak of her as a saint. The Telegraph looks back on her tumultuous 11-year premiership, from her surprise decision to invade the Falklands to her ignominious fall.

Britain went from the "sick man of Europe" to a major economic power under Thatcher, who liberalized markets and crushed the power of trade unions. A close friend of Ronald Reagan and a pragmatist with Mikhail Gorbachev, Thatcher ruled unrivaled until 1990, when her own ministers engineered her downfall while she was away in Paris. Britain's first female PM never appointed a single woman MP to her cabinet, and feminists loathed her—only one of many contradictions of a leader who still divides Britain today.

4th May 1979: Margaret Thatcher, with her husband Denis, outside 10 Downing Street after she had been elected Britain's first woman prime minister, succeeding James Callaghan, on May 4, 1979.
4th May 1979: Margaret Thatcher, with her husband Denis, outside 10 Downing Street after she had been elected Britain's first woman prime minister, succeeding James Callaghan, on May 4, 1979.   (Getty Images)
Britain's former prime ministers Margaret Thatcher and Tony Blair after a service to commemorate the efforts of more than 300,000 troops who served in Northern Ireland.
Britain's former prime ministers Margaret Thatcher and Tony Blair after a service to commemorate the efforts of more than 300,000 troops who served in Northern Ireland.   (AP Photo/Matt Dunham)
Gordon Brown, right, seen with former prime minister Margaret Thatcher in the background, during the annual Remembrance Sunday ceremony at the Cenotaph in London, Sunday, Nov. 9, 2008.
Gordon Brown, right, seen with former prime minister Margaret Thatcher in the background, during the annual Remembrance Sunday ceremony at the Cenotaph in London, Sunday, Nov. 9, 2008.   (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
Margaret Thatcher, left, is seen off by Gordon Brown as she leaves 10 Downing Street after a private meeting, London, Thursday, Sept. 13, 2007.
Margaret Thatcher, left, is seen off by Gordon Brown as she leaves 10 Downing Street after a private meeting, London, Thursday, Sept. 13, 2007.   (AP Photo/Sang Tan)
Former British prime minister Margaret Thatcher now Baroness Thatcher at a wreath laying ceremony in London, Friday, Nov. 9, 2007.
Former British prime minister Margaret Thatcher now Baroness Thatcher at a wreath laying ceremony in London, Friday, Nov. 9, 2007.   (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
Leader of the Conservative Party, Margaret Thatcher, addressing the Tories at the start of the 1979 general election campaign. To her right is William Whitelaw.
Leader of the Conservative Party, Margaret Thatcher, addressing the Tories at the start of the 1979 general election campaign. To her right is William Whitelaw.   (Getty Images)
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COMMENTS
Showing 2 of 2 comments
Mad
May 4, 2009 5:11 AM CDT
Did you know, Thatcher claims she convinced Bush Sr to kick Saddam out of Kuwait? Her highness claims Bush asked her advice on what to do, and SHE suggested the collation and further, she says Bush was weakening in his resolve at one point and she had to tell him "This is not a time to go all wobbly". I shit you not
Vostok
May 4, 2009 4:22 AM CDT
Thatcher was a bitch.

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United Kingdom • British Parliament • Conservative Party • Tory Party • Margaret Thatcher • conservatism

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