Margaret Thatcher

Margaret Thatcher was Britain's first female prime minister (1979-1990). She was known for her tough uncompromising, conservative political views, and became dubbed as ‘The Iron Lady’. On the UK domestic front she instituted many free market reforms, implemented the controversial poll tax and reduced the power of trades unions. She was active also on the foreign front as she cultivated a close relationship with American President Donald Regan.

Early life

Margaret was born 13 October 1925 in Grantham. Her father owned a grocery store and was active in the local Methodist Church and Liberal politics. Margaret won a scholarship to the local Kesteven and Grantham Girls’ School, where she became head-girl. She graduated in 1947 with second-class honours in chemistry. After graduating, she moved to Colchester, where she worked as a research chemist and long after in 1951 she was invited to stand as the Conservative candidate in the safe Labour seat of Dartford. Although she lost, she impressed many in the party with her strong, articulate views.

Prime Minister 1979-90

Mrs Thatcher was elected Prime Minister in the Conservative landslide of 1979. She wasted no time in introducing controversial economic policies. She believed that a strict implementation of Monetarism was necessary to overcome the economic ills of inflation. However, deflationary monetary policies caused a serious economic recession, in which unemployment rose to 3 million. Opinion was strongly against many of her policies. In a famous letter to the Times newspaper, 360 economists wrote a letter arguing the government should change its policies immediately. However, in true Thatcher style, she refused. In the midst of the recession, the Falklands islands were invaded by the Argentinean army. Mrs Thatcher sent a British expeditionary force to reclaim the islands. With relatively light casualties the islands were retaken. This military victory brought a fillip in support for Thatcher, but his popularity was falling and she was forced out as leader of the party and PM in 1990. Although she was bitter about her perceived betrayal, she left an unprecedented mark on the UK economic and political landscape. For good or ill, she changed the British economic and political situation.
Thatcher died on 8 April 2013 at the age of 87 after suffering a stroke.

Important quote
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If you want something said, ask a man; if you want something done, ask a woman.
Read more at: https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/margaret_thatcher_127088

If you want something said, ask a man; if you want something done, ask a woman.
Read more at: https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/margaret_thatcher_127088

If you want something said, ask a man; if you want something done, ask a woman.
Read more at: https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/margaret_thatcher_127088