Margaret Thatcher

[dextrous63]

She was indeed, and as you say she was from a normal working-class background.

When you hear the ex-miners complaining about her, I think they should have another look at the figures.  Harold Wilson closed more pits than Maggie, but they seem to forget about him for some reason.

If you're particularly at a loose end, feel free to read this..

http://www.healeyhero.co.uk/rescue/individual/Bob_Bradley/PM-Closures.html

[JBR]

If you're particularly at a loose end, feel free to read this..

http://www.healeyhero.co.uk/rescue/individual/Bob_Bradley/PM-Closures.html

Yes, in short:
Wilson = 253 pits closed
Thatcher = 115 pits closed
yet they always complain about Thatcher.  I think that shows some political bias!

March 19, 2024, 10:32:20 AM

There's something in that. How did this man ever purport to represent Stoke on Trent as a labour MP? There are two things wrong with our present system, career politicians and safe seats. Term limits may be the answer, but that would inhibit the few worthy politicians.

Margaret Thatcher working class? I would say middle class. Her father was a successful shopkeeper at a time when shopkeepers were respectable. A graduate, far less common then, her careers included industrial chemist, teacher, and lawyer, before she entered politics. Middle class. 

My dad had an off-licence shop.  So we were middle class?
I'm also a graduate.
Nevertheless, I've always felt myself to be working class.

[Ashy]

We probably won't agree on what constitutes working class. In my definition of working class the person does not own the means of production or distribution and has to live by the sale of his labour. Over time, grey areas have developed.

[JBR]

We probably won't agree on what constitutes working class. In my definition of working class the person does not own the means of production or distribution and has to live by the sale of his labour. Over time, grey areas have developed.

So that makes all lorry drivers middle class!

[Scrumpy]

'The working classes' !!
People who only get paid when they do the work .
People who can not shoot off on holiday whenever they feel like it..

[JBR]

'The working classes' !!
People who only get paid when they do the work .
People who can not shoot off on holiday whenever they feel like it..

Quite apart from one-upmanship, I'm sure that most people are working class.
I certainly am.

[Diasi]

Quite apart from one-upmanship, I'm sure that most people are working class.
I certainly am.

Me too, & so was Hyacinth Bucket. Lol

[ansu]

What interesting discussion. 
Thatcher - the iron lady - really saved the miserable UK economy at that time, however, don't forget that it was due to the support of the EU (special conditions and discounts granted) that the British economy recovered and flourished. 
One of my pupils dealt intensively with Margret Thatcher, her life, her achievements etc. and i am not sure whether she would have been so happy about your Brexit. 

[JBR]

What interesting discussion.
Thatcher - the iron lady - really saved the miserable UK economy at that time, however, don't forget that it was due to the support of the EU (special conditions and discounts granted) that the British economy recovered and flourished.
One of my pupils dealt intensively with Margret Thatcher, her life, her achievements etc. and i am not sure whether she would have been so happy about your Brexit.

I don't know how Maggie would have felt personally about Brexit, but it was a democratic decision and I'm sure she would have accepted that.
My personal opinion is that she was our best PM in modern times and this is reflected in how the country progressed throughout her time as PM.

[Alex]

What interesting discussion.

 don't forget that it was due to the support of the EU (special conditions and discounts granted) that the British economy recovered and flourished.
 

We had support of course we did, but don't forget we joined the EEC not the EU and as you know what the EEC became was totally different from what we joined.  Thatcher would not have been happy with the Brexit we got, hopeless negotiations, but she would have been happy with the fact we left.

[JBR]

We had support of course we did, but don't forget we joined the EEC not the EU and as you know what the EEC became was totally different from what we joined.  Thatcher would not have been happy with the Brexit we got, hopeless negotiations, but she would have been happy with the fact we left.

Exactly.  The EU was formed by stealth.
The EEC was an organisation to do with trade and business.  It was a benefit to us because it eased free trade between member countries.
The EU is an organisation of political control, and was formed in 1993 three years after Maggie was stabbed in the back and John Major took over.
Four years later, the infamous B Liar took over and sold the country down the Swanee.

[klondike]

however, don't forget that it was due to the support of the EU (special conditions and discounts granted)

If we'd left then or hadn't joined we'd have had a 100% discount.

[Cassandra]

The soporific socialist pit that is the EU encourages dumbed down wet politicians. Huge pay and no responsibility. I blame this approach totally for the spongers we have in the UK Parliament now. Over the decades since the camp organ grinder conned us into joining, the standard of MP's has declined to the objects of disdain that we now have. Most of the faceless 'one nation' Tories and geening prats like Labours Jonathan Ashworth et al, don't know what it is to make a decision. Their avuncular controller look alikes in Brussels have been telling them what to do and say for so long that it amazes me they even know what to do on the toilet pan without an EU directive ...

[klondike]

it amazes me they even know what to do on the toilet pan without an EU directive ...

On form as always Cass   

[Alex]

The soporific socialist pit that is the EU encourages dumbed down wet politicians. Huge pay and no responsibility. I blame this approach totally for the spongers we have in the UK Parliament now. Over the decades since the camp organ grinder conned us into joining, the standard of MP's has declined to the objects of disdain that we now have. Most of the faceless 'one nation' Tories and geening prats like Labours Jonathan Ashworth et al, don't know what it is to make a decision. Their avuncular controller look alikes in Brussels have been telling them what to do and say for so long that it amazes me they even know what to do on the toilet pan without an EU directive ...