One more view on Margaret Thatcher
In my time, I’ve met four British Prime Ministers. Given my politics, they were all Labour: Harold Wilson, Jim Callaghan, Tony Blair and Gordon Brown. I never wanted to meet Margaret Thatcher.
This was not just a matter of ideology, but also an issue of personality. While I accept that she modernised Britain in some important respects, she increased economic inequality and excessively empowered the forces of raw capitalism. While I acknowledge her prodigious work rate, formidable memory and fierce will. I believe that she lacked understanding for or empathy with those who were less advantaged or strong-willed as herself.
The woman, who stood on the steps of 10 Downing Street after her first General Election victory and stated “Where there is discord, may we bring harmony”, was a deeply divisive figure who actively promoted conflict at both home and abroad. She had a confrontational, even bullying, style of leadership that is not one I respect or practice.
April 9th, 2013 at 12:32 pm
Her support for Pinochet says it all. Listening to Blair saying she had a deep respect for democracy when she also condemned Mandela was truly sickening.
Phil