Bringing the MG thread back from the dead.
I find it funny that myself as an Irish person am coming to her defence. Perhaps it is because of our perceived collective animosity towards her and also perhaps out of some respect. I don’t love her, don’t agree with a lot of what she has done and I wouldn’t describe her as cuddly. I think there has been too much myth-making concerning Thatcher.
I understand her being a love / hate figure but I think there are too many people ‘jumping on the bandwagon’ and attributing everything that is wrong to her.
Everyone has their own memory of Thatcher. I grew up in the 80’s and used to love the Spitting Image satire- Thanks Brendan 😉 I certainly agree with some but not all of your views from that time. But I do respect your views based on your experience, as we all have different experiences and perspectives.
So, I didn’t grow up in the 70’s but would agree with Ben’s view of the time from my more limited knowledge of the time.
Big quote- Thanks Ben
Prime ministers are voted in because of the needs of the time. At the time Britain needed a strong leader. It was the informed electorate of that generation who elected such a leader breaking taboos and making new history. Their choice, their responsibility.
In my (limited) view of the period, previous (and forgettable) leaders bended to trade unions who grew too rapidly and became corrupt and too influential. So, I can understand how the privatisation of state assets was seen as a solution to bloated, self-important & unaffordable public institutions. Besides privatisation was not a new concept, pretty ancient in fact. I don’t agree with it but equally not against it in certain sectors. Like a lot of things, it has it’s merits.
(side unrelated note: annoyed at privatisation of certain Irish state assets due to debt)
I believe you have to try to understand the decisions of that time through the context and the chain reaction of events leading to it. And who back then could have foreseen future consequences.
So today we say privatisation is wrong, but there wouldn’t have been so much sustainable growth during the following period which our generations benefited from. Britain’s position on the world’s stage is perhaps assured through having voted a strong leader for a decade. The special relationship between the UK and US changed the world.
Now events are happening all around us due to the economic crisis, some mirroring the 80’s with the exception of the Cold War. Bailout countries like Ireland are privatising their state assets due to debt. Unfortunately most of the assets for sale are the wrong ones which most of us know are mistakes for the future.
Can I blame Thatcher for being the cause? No.
The deregulation of the banks was again I believe just a chain of events that started in the pre-Thatcher world. Now, it’s seen as wrong in Europe yet America and Britain are advising the EU to end austerity and reduce the regulation to get the economies moving. So, it’s an old debate.
I definitely wouldn’t be pro-Thatcher despite my defence. There are plenty of people in Ireland who, to put it mildly, have the complete opposite view to mine. But it’s a cynical world and I think we have to be equally cynical about other players at that time and since then.
As I mentioned in my previous post, she perhaps has done more than many other ‘smiling, friendly’ politicians for Ireland and British relations. I found one article from Ireland from a columnist with a similar view but more knowledge (that is if anyone is interested, this post of mine is rather long and meandering)
Thatcher did more for Ireland than other UK leaders: http://www.irishtimes.com/news/world/uk/thatcher-did-more-for-ireland-than-other-uk-leaders-1.1353244%5B/url%5D
I think that her direct manner, ‘iron’-will and seemingly non-maternal presence (reinforced by ‘Spitting Image’ and like) made her into more of a myth. Myths are easy to love or hate.
That is Thatcher. Some people have valid reason to disregard her. Love her or hate her at least hate her for the right reasons, not out of prejudice based on pop culture which a certain percentage do. I am sceptical of the praise she was won from Bloomberg etc but you there are notable examples such as from Mikael Gorbachav and other leaders.
But most of all, have some respect for her. You cannot say she was not a patriot who loved and gave everything to her country. She and her family are now paying the price.
Sorry for length of post. Anyone who finished, congratulations, I would buy you a pint if I could afford it;)
Ray & Poison Idea
Agree but is not always the case. Personally I think it is sad if we let politics come in between friendship. I think it is healthy to disagree but respect each others opinion. I hope I don’t offend and am not easily offended.
But, your quote is true in many cases, and respect that.
Sorry for any typos etc