I am not
a particularly political person – as in all things I do not have extreme views
one way or the other, and am prepared to weigh up the pros and cons of a policy,
irrespective of whether it originates from the right or the left or the centre
(whatever that all means!), or any other political standpoint. I am sure that
even extremist political parties can have sensible policy ideas that really
would benefit everyone, and so are worth giving serious consideration. However,
I digress a little.
In 1978
it was General Election year, I was recently returned to England and it was the
first time I could legally vote in an election – having lived abroad since
before turning 18 – so I followed the campaigning quite closely, determined to
try and make an educated opinion about which party to support. I even sat up on
election night and followed the results coming in until a decision was reached.
Victory to the Conservatives and the first female Prime Minister, Margaret
Thatcher!
There was
much excitement about this landmark, and much sexist speculation about how
badly she would fare, but she proved the sceptics wrong and was, in my opinion,
a very strong leader, who stood by her principles, but who also, unlike many of
her successors and predecessors, actually did the job because she wanted to
make a difference, and not for any power trip. Men are, by nature, very
competitive, so having the top job, Prime Minister, is a huge ego boost – and I
am sure that many aim for that position because of the kudos it carries with
it, not because they feel that from that position they can do most good for
their country. I truly believe that Margaret Thatcher was trying to do her best
for Great Britain, and not just trying to appease everyone to stay in the top
job.
I am not
going to get too heavily into politics here, I am no expert in that field, and
whatever I think politically is irrelevant to this post. Margaret Thatcher was
Conservative, so anything she stood for the other parties would object to, even
though subsequently many of the old Tory policies of those days have crept into
the mainstream Labour and LibDem manifestos! What is important is that she was
prepared to lead the party into making much needed tough decisions, decisions
that have had a profound effect (and I think for the good) on how Great Britain
is today, decisions that were divisive, and which many of her contemporaries
would have not had the courage to push through, but which she knew were
necessary at the time.
She
earned international respect, both for herself and for Great Britain, and also
across the political divide. People may have hated her politics, but they could
not help but admire the lady behind them, who had the courage of her
convictions, and her determination for Great Britain to once more become a
force to be reckoned with.
I have
never quite understood why the Conservatives ousted her in the manner they did,
after all she had done for the party, and since her departure I think that they
(in fact all political parties!) have struggled to find a replacement anywhere
near as good as she was, and have lost their way politically. We need strong
leaders, in all the parties, but we also need people who believe in what they
are doing, and believe in the country first – they should choose to serve the
country, not themselves.
So it is
with great sadness that we mourn the passing of a great leader, who, to coin a
cliché, did put the “Great” back into Britain, changed the face of British
politics, and the way of life in Britain forever. May she rest in peace.
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