A Tribute to the Iron Lady

The Baroness Thatcher

(13 October 1925 – 8 April 2013)

It is disheartening to hear the passing of one of the titans of the 20th century, former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher of Great Britain, commonly known as the Iron Lady. A trueborn politician, the Iron Lady broke the glass ceiling by being not only the 1st female Prime Minister but also the longest serving (1979-1990). Her legacy is prolific - revamping the socio-politico structure of Great Britain, defeating the pompous Unions by calling their bluff; defending the integrity of Her Majesty through Falklands; establishing a new economy for the nation; and foreshadowing the demise of the European Union. More so, she cemented the Anglo-Saxons alliance through a unifying policy between the United States of America and Her Majesty's empire.

Critics often scorned Thatcher's union busting and privatization policies. The results had proven otherwise with the revitalization of the economy and producing a wave of middle class citizens. She understands the role of the government at that moment, and she fulfill her duty. That is most honorable and remarkable as she puts the nation above her self interests.

Her achievements did not come easy. Aspire politicians can learn much from Thatcher. She was resolute up till the end of her career; "No No No!" in the House of Commons when deciding whether Britain should join the ERM. History has already lay its judgement on this issue. Most important  was her conviction and tenacity. Those two values enabled her to overcome ferocious opposition to her policies.

                "I am not a consensus politician. I am a conviction politician."

And to further showcase her conviction and tenacity of her tactics in defeating the union bosses:-

“the rest of our programme for national recovery would be blocked. . . . Winning the next [1979] election, even by a large majority, would not be enough if the only basis for it was dissatisfaction with Labour’s performance in office since 1974. Therefore, far from avoiding the union issue – as so many of my colleagues wanted – we should seek to open up debate. Moreover, this debate was not something to fear: the unions were an increasing liability to Labour and correspondingly a political asset to us. With intelligence and courage we could turn on its head the inhibiting and often defeatist talk about ‘confrontation."


She picked her battles, and when the moment arises, decisively executed the necessary moves such as during the Winter of Discontent - a once every 16 years phenomenon; and this is when the labor unions decided to have a general strike. Thatcher approached the moment with courage and conviction, and acted to swing public opinion against the unions; delivering the first fatal blow to her political nemesis. A politician must know to act according to circumstances. The Iron Lady knew this crucial law, thus setting the stage for a Conservative victory and the Prime Ministership. I often wonder what's on her mind, when she realizes the inevitability of her premiership to Great Britain.

History has a place for great people - Margaret Thatcher included. Your actions, deeds, and values shall forever be remembered by those passionate about politics and statesmanship. May the Iron Lady rest in peace.

"Thrift was a virtue and profligacy a vice" - Margaret Thatcher 

Interesting must-read. Her legacy can be debated; but her political achievements and tactical intelligence are indisputable.
 http://www.nakedcapitalism.com/2013/04/michael-hudson-thatchers-legacy-of-failed-privatizations.html#kSJe811O4l5xdod3.99