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What is the fundamental difference between Margaret Thatcher's Tories and Gordon Brown's Labour government?

Margaret Thatcher won HER war.

So Lady T invited Gordy along all those years ago, guess she could now claim "I taught him everything he knows!"

Or possibly she could re-work the old Brian Clough acclaimation "Well Done young man!"

Hard to feel sorry for Old Labour though, the cliche "What goes around comes around", must give me a full house that even you would be proud of Nick.

Why aren't Labour MPs, members and sympathetic members from the Press saying this is evidence that 'Brown in lurching to the right'. This phrase an insult when used for Cameron, but it seems perfectly acceptable for Labour to lurch to the opposite end of the political spectrum they're supposed to represent?

I wonder what a lot of die hard Labour members think of Comrade Brown dining with Thatcher.

Much of the reporting on this has been on how uncomfortable it will make the Tories, but I think there will be large swathes of the Labour Party - many of whom actually have a deep hatred of Thatcher - who are less than pleased to see their new leader posing with her on the doorstep of Downing Street.

They take us for mugs every day.
Thats another few votes lost I'll wager!

I don't think you can analyse this to death, Nick. It was a tea party.

I'm not surprised to see Baroness Thatcher at No.10. I hear she has been offered the post of Advisor on the Trade Unions

Nick, why has Brown invited Mrs. Thatcher you ask!
Well, for a start Brown is the other half of Tony Blair, both of whom eradicated and cleansed the old Labour from the Unions (extreme left).
Besides, Thatcher was a politician of conviction just like Brown. That does not in any way indicate that they agree with each others policies, but Cameron is surely and definately NOT a politician of conviction. He is -- eh -- let's --- see -- more like a polictician that would try to please the poor and the rich, please the environmentalists and the rich, please the unions and the CBI, in short fit for opposition!
Oh Nick, and another thing, the Tories nearly killed Mrs. Thatcher when they literally kicked her out of No:10.
We require a PM that sticks to his guns!
Nick, have you managed to find out what the union's bosses earn?

I can't help but notice she is wearing a red dress. Perhaps the biggest defection of all is on the cards, poor Cameron!

This is extraordinary. I remember the lengths to which Tony Blair went to make sure that Michael Howard was prevented from using the front door at 10 Downing Street when attending a reception not long before the last election. (At the time I thought the image would have made an excellent poster for Labour's campaign!) Posing with your predecessors' nemesis? Whatever next? Cucumber sarnies with Boris Johnson? I hope she took the opportunity to remind him what trouble the economy landed in after the credit boom of the eighties.

As usual the question is asked: How will David Cameron react to this?

Why don't you ask some Labour MP's or Union Chiefs how they feel about Browns apparent worship of Lady Thatcher?

I think you would then reveal the real splits

Nick

Who is advising Lady T ? Exploit the Aged ?

You got it in one - shameless. Brown has no shame and no scruples.

Still, at least he has the moral compass bequeathed by his reverend father who must now be engaging in the latest form of spin. The "in his grave" variety.

A cynical photo-op, nothing more, nothing less.

So that's Labour's paymaster - the unions, utterly furious that their nemesis has the ear of the PM more than they do. And Labour's core vote livid that the PM that caused them so much pain is shaking hands with their Gordon, champion of the Left.

Bearing in mind where the funds and votes are going to come from at the next election.

As for Brown and Cameron, one is a child of Thatcher, the other was a child that didn't believe in Thatcher.

I have a feeling in an attempt to wind up the Tories, this one will really backfire.

Perhaps Baronness Thatcher she will be the next cross-party adviser to Gordon Brown. "Now then, Margaret, I'm having a bit of trouble with the unions..."

Lets hope he showed his deference at being in the presence of someone whose political greatness came so naturally but which after 40 years of striving as an employee of the taxpayer,Gordon himself is still nowhere near reaching. I feel genuinely sorry for him being in the presence of someone who 'was' knowing he will 'never be'

I was hoping never to see that woman again. The day an ally of Augusto Pinochet is welcomed into No. 10 by a Labour prime minister is...err...just another day, these days.

Where is the comment on the TUC vote for a referendum on the EU constitution, oops. sorry "treaty"?
Have we finally reached the stage where no critisism of the government is allowed on the Â鶹¹ÙÍøÊ×Ò³Èë¿Ú?

I hear a rumour that Thatcher's going to defect to Labour in the next few days! No wonder she was wearing red!

When Maggie shook hands with Gordon, they were both simply sticking two fingers up at Cameron. Never mind Dave!

Six words! I will never vote labour again!

Campbell's diaries indicated Blair met Thatcher often for advice on foreign affairs. Brown is presumably going to do the same.

The red colour balance on that photo has been intensified - you can see an unnatural the pinkness in the masonry, additionally the other photos of this occassion show more of a pink dress hue than red dress. Perhaps you are manipulating photos to try to make a story where there is none.

No big deal, they were just having a friendly little chat about the RMT...
Maggie is to be given the job of taking Bob Crow out of action

It is absolutley fatal to let that woman anywhere near No.10.

Just look at the damage she did last time she was there - she visited Blair and afterwards he starts banging on about wanting to start wars all over the shop.

Don't really see why anyone should find this at all surprising. It's been apparent for some years now that Labour are no longer a left-wing party, and indeed didn't Tony Blair once make a speech in which he claimed he was the natural heir to Thatcherism?

Yes, this would have been unthinkable for the Labour pary of 20 years ago, but times change. It's one of the reasons why I, as a former lifelong labour voter of many years, don't vote Labour any more.

A photo opportunity for Brown and Thatcher becomes a sneering opportunity for the know-it-alls. The 6th-form common-room approach to politics which passes for informed opinion is never more trivial than when practised by Robinson and his followers as above.

As a life long Labour supporter and Thatcher hater I love this, Brown is so good, he messes with the Tory mind so well. Keep it up Gordon.

Nick,

I think this most amusing and clearly designed to overshadow the Tory Environmental agenda.

I would wonder if drinking Tea with an ex-PM, that even Labour MP’s still detest is a good use of time when FMD has reappeared and people are being told that their Mortgages are going to cost more.

I think Brown must be living in a different world as focusing on the distant past is neither going to stoke up good feeling for his electoral prospects or his natural base. It plays directly into the Tories hands as it shows that Brown is yesterday’s man and Cameron could be tomorrow’s man.

It could paradoxically create an odd electoral dynamic as well, why would a Labour supporter who hated Thatcher be inspired to vote Labour in a Northern seat next time if Brown has flip – flopped away from condemning Thatcher to offering her tea and biscuits?

I wonder when all of this ‘Strategic Manoeuvring’ will backfire on Brown as Brown is actually doing Cameron’s work for him.

Interested in the line you took in this post and on the news i.e. that Gordon Brown managed to upstage David Cameron again. In whose view? The Â鶹¹ÙÍøÊ×Ò³Èë¿Ú's? I notice the Â鶹¹ÙÍøÊ×Ò³Èë¿Ú had Lady Thatcher meeting Gordon Brown before Cameron on the environment - why? Is this the Â鶹¹ÙÍøÊ×Ò³Èë¿Ú's view or yours on what is more important? Brown only upstaged Cameron because you decided that you would make him do so.

Gordon Brown wants to present himself as the more serious politician, and the Â鶹¹ÙÍøÊ×Ò³Èë¿Ú seems happy to parrot the line. But he is constantly staging PR events, like today's, in place of substantive politics. Why is that not your line?

"On a day that the Prime Minister decided to stage yet another PR stunt, David Cameron was seeking to deal with what many regard to be as the most pressing issue of today. " An equally valid line to take - why did you not take it?

She wasn't for turning and now he's got her spinning; never mind, or maybe Gordon ought to catch up on his reading: "oh what a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive..."

You can over-analyse these things. I'm sure every type of '-ology' can be derived & ascribed to the meeting & it's excellent fodder for journalists wanting to fill a diary column. It's a picture though that will hardly register with most voters - an ex-PM with a current one - seen quite often at memorials, state occasions & the like - no big deal. Lady Thatcher also served her country through a difficult transitional period. Though old die-hards of every hue probably still harbour their resentments, she's now a old lady having a nice day out, relax.

Hardly a significant event Nick. If anything it surely shows how Labour have
completely discarded their socialist ideals.

The last ten years has been like a real life enactment of Animal Farm.

No complaints from me because at least I'll sleep well knowing a centre right party will be governing this country for the foreseeable future.

Gordon Brown does not care who he upsets or who he appeases!

He has a 2.5 million Parliamentary pension due to him and as a bonus, a 4.5 million pound Prime Minister's pension for just a few months in the job. This from the man who raided pensions to line his and other MP's pockets.

Now what WOULD impress me, is if he committed to giving the proceeds of his PM's pension to charity after the General Election.

Now that WOULD be conviction politics!

The Lady in red is dancing with me, cheek to cheek.
There's nobody here, it's just you and me, It's where I wanna be
But I hardly know this beauty by my side
I'll never for get, the way you look tonight.....

I'll never look at Chris De Burgh in the same way again :)

What a day of contrasts on the steps of 10 downing Street.

Britains greatest Prime Minister standing next to Britains Worst Prime Minister.

... And for those of you who might actually wonder which I'm refering to as 'best', let me just say that Gordon Brown certainly doesn't qualify as anything like 'best'.

So most people are claiming a foul by Brown, would they say that if it was Dim Dave ? I think not.
I for one find this whole thing very funny and might just buy the Daily Gloom ( Opp's Mail ) just to see how they start to panic.
There is one thing about all this its made the political elite and press sit up for a change so enjoy it while you all can, not long before conference season and that's very dull.

The Â鶹¹ÙÍøÊ×Ò³Èë¿Ú will find This very difficult to handle in veiw of its open bias towards the Labour party. The fact remains that Margaret Thatcher has done more for this country than any polititian since Churchill and Gordon Brown knows a winner when he sees one, its nice to see Labour turning to the Tories for help,after Blair, he needs it, even if it does embarass the Â鶹¹ÙÍøÊ×Ò³Èë¿Ú/Labour party.

Earlier this week, we saw Mr Brown telling the unions that they could not have the pay rises they wanted. Now we see him welcoming Mrs Thatcher in Downing Street. Perhaps he was seeking her advice on how to deal with the unions? Has anyone in the Labour party noticed how Mr Brown always prefers Conservative advisers?

I saw Mr. Robinson today! He was outside the Houses of Parliament, on his mobile taking about having a "Tory talking about her." Presently watching the 10 o'clock news, I realise he was talking about Mrs. Thatcher! But where was the Tory? Oh, on topic: Mr. Brown is pathetic, Mr. Cameron worse, and Sir Campbell is 66. Enough said.

Whatever next?

Saatchi and Saatchi doing Labour's advertising?!?!

Funny all these great little distractions suddenly appearing in the news. This one being a newsworthy front page bit of fun. The other being a disaster for farmers Many will lose their farms. And labour will be able to build houses on them. How convenient it was a government lab that caused the damage. YES it seems wall to wall burying of bad news?

THE EU Referendum? Coverage? What coverage? It aint happening. Seems kind of ironic that lady T who was opposed to the EU is used to bury the referendum from public scrutiny.

I was outraged by your parting commentary about Margaret Thatcher, after she visisted No.10 today. How insensitive, patronising and small-minded to refer to her as a lonely old lady. I bet you wouldn't refer to a male ex-prime minister as a lonely old man. How do you think she felt if she watched that report? Pleased to see herself still making a mark, but culmnating in what emotion I wonder, that you chose to cast this iconic leader as a lonely old lady, simply because it was an easy line for you.Perhaps you thought she would probably be tucked up in bed by 10 o'clock and so wouldn't see it. Shame on you.

Well, courtesy as they say, costs nothing. Compare the behaviour of (most) British politicians with, say, Musharraf's treatment of Sharif. Which do you prefer?

Mark wrote: "I wonder what a lot of die hard Labour members think of Comrade Brown dining with Thatcher."

Absolutely normal behaviour for socialist leaders. If you doubt this then read the last page of "Animal Farm" (C) 1945 G Orwell

flush gordon using and abusing the elderly again.

If the mere sight of Mr Brown refusing to shun Mrs Thatcher means 'losing Labour's core voters', then the latter will simply have to learn to grow up.

Lest Mr Brown decide it is more cost-effective--politically and financially--to stop relying on them.

Or is that what he is already doing? Ah, how the realities of government responsibility--and the need to hold on to power--open one's eyes to the absurdity of hardcore-Socialist, LibDem and Utopian ideas.

Thanks Mr Brown.

You have , with one picture , turned the rest of Scotland into a Nationalist stronghold.

A modern day Menteith , with a modern day Longshanks.

I am so pleased he has shown his true colours.

You are effectively wiping out your core support in Scotland with this picture. Which advisor told you this would be a good idea....Alex Salmond...lol..

I for one am over the moon this is front page, I hope every labour voter sees this and recoils in disgust, and votes you out .

ALBA GU BRATH

Well done Gordon - what a coup ! You can now prove you are a conviction politician by looking after the majority . Unlike Thatcher .

Yet more confirmation that we no longer have a true Labour Party.

No real Labour person would allow Mrs Thatcher into their home. Gordon Brown and "New Labour" are a disgrace to what LABOUR stands for.

Presumably Brown was asking her advice on how to win wars... I don't suppose Tony Blair is next on his tea party invite list.

The reason why Gordon Brown invited Mrs Thatcher is that he wants tips on how to deal with the Unions in the coming winter of discontent he is facing. As she defeated the Miners then with her advice Gordon Brown can defeat the TUC. I am deafened by the silence of the back bench Labour MPs to his latest right wing stance. They are like lambs going to the slaughter.

Brown = Heavyweight
Thatcher = Heavyweight
Cameron = Lightweight

Bring back Thatcher! She will have a better chance of convincing the public she has leadership qualities than Cameron.

Would you want Cameron the Indecisive deciding whether to launch nuclear weapons if we were under attack? He is a Neville Chamberlain in disguise.

I am a tory supporter but I won't be voting him in to office I'd rather stick with Brown!

Blair always was somewhat of a political chameleon but I never expected this from Gordon.

The Red Baroness and Comrade Brown.

The Unions are going to be so happy.

The real reason behind this is that Brown knows that the voters that matter /aren't/ conviction based. This demonstrates that, like them, he is a pragmatist that will do what is right for the country rather than being locked into any ideology. Smart move, I'd say.

People can be clever with policy ideas and smart with people but "psychological warfare" doesn't punch my buttons. Modern marketing offers nothing that's new. It's just one perspective among many that have been endlessly cycling since before the start of recorded history. "Warfare", and all the short-termism, selfishness, and ignorance that goes with it are killing society, and if the strategist is to step beyond being a mere technician they must reshape their mind.

Knowing when to put on a show and keep your mouth shut is part of developing a more correct response. The organism which opposes itself wastes time conquering itself. One mind. One heart. One body. Some people call this "total war" but it's the negative side of effort. Where people are useful, compatible, and pulling in the same direction to a better end one might call this "total peace". Discipline, cooperation, truth, and integrity are useful means to this end.

Doubtless, the backroom is full of well qualified people with plenty of team spirit but this sort of mistake leads to rigid and insensitive minds if it is allowed to develop unchecked. Disruption and negativity are an empire built on sand. If the boom and bust economy and society are to be reformed into something better, where better than to change the heart, mind, and body of government at the centre? So, less focus on winning and losing. More on quality and cooperation.

Just another step closer to keeping control of the people.

The dress was fushia pink.

A lot of discourtesy for the PM who simply showed good manners to someone who is, after all, simply a very old lady.

Whilst, like many others, I loathed the politics for former PM Thatcher, she has "dropped" out of political life, and has not really engaged since.

Well done for someone who has treated a former leader of this country with some respect for their hard work regardless of whether you agree with with their policies.

Perhaps one thing the Americans do have better than us is the natural respect all Americans have for former Presidents once they stand down (other than the obvious one - Nixon).

Gordon again showing himself to be the little kid playing tricks in the playground - and then he claims to be the serious politician. Like most socialists he has never grown up.

The decision to welcome Mrs Thatcher into No. 10 is rooted in two areas, the first being the aforementioned theme of 'psychological warfare', and the second being the merging together of many political ideologies - and indeed political parties - in the United Kingdom.

Quite rightly, Mrs Thatcher's invitation is an example of psychological warfare prior to a much suspected election campaign. If Team Brown can create suspicious, fearful whisperings within the Conservative Party, regarding the defection and ideological transformation of Conservative politicians and supporters - and we have seen a good number of such cases in the press over the last few weeks - then the Tories will have to change their tactics in order to remain competitive. And if that means a change back to the old, now less popular classical conservatism, the Tory party will have lost the game.

The second area is the ideological merging of the main political ideologies in the United Kingdom. Clearly, the Blair and Brown governments share very broad similarities with those policies of the Thatcherite governments. "Tough on crime, tough on the causes of crime", surely is a reflection on the tough approach that many Conservative governments have implemented? "Fairness but firmness" towards trade unions surely hints a slight verge towards the tough behaviour in the era of strikes that Mrs T used? "Low inflation" is another emphasis in Brown's government, quoted in his reaction towards the threat of an autumn of discontent which is shared with thatcher.

Comment 22. At 05:23 PM on 13 Sep 2007,
S James wrote:
Six words! I will never vote labour again!
--------
I've voted Tory for years, and when Lady T was in charge I did it with real enthusiasm, but now that you are changing allegiance let me add my own six words:

Seriously considering voting for Newest Labour!!

Why all the fuss?

Surely its normal for the current and past PMs to meet - after all there arn't that many of them around (only maggie, john m and tony - even if its just for a chat and a cuppa.

Oh Nick, Nick! What have you done to the British (politically stupid) public. In reading some of the contributors, I cannot stop laughing my head off.
They have confirmed and gave us another reason as to why some people are so against all that happens in Europe.
We are such STUPID and IGNORANT society, not to metion INTOLLERANT, that sometimes I wonder whether terrorism is coming from abroad or bred in U.K. with our behaviour!
NO MATTER HOW MUCH AGAINST THATCHER ONE COULD BE, SHE WAS ONE OF OUR PMs OF THIS NATION, AND THANKS TO HER WE HAVE MANAGED TO DESTROY THE DIE HARD LEFTIES (come communists)! Yes Nick, thanks to her New Labour is in office, with so far 3 consecutive election victories. Thanks Maggie. Have a nice day Nick.

Has anyone with a moderate outlook commented on this blog?

I haven't noticed that many...

I think those of you who have identified that the vast, vast majority of voters don't buy in to these left wing/right win rants over what is a respectful gesture by PM Brown are correct. In one day this blog has received 71 comments. In two days the Â鶹¹ÙÍøÊ×Ò³Èë¿Ú sport blog 'Farrell facing ultimate test' has received 211.

If the British public were genuinely bothered about Brown meeting Thatcher, we'd have probably attached more importance to it than we have to England's third choice fly half and his RWC prospects.

I was seriously considering rejoining the Labour Party (I left when I moved out of the country in 1996, but have since moved back), but I find this a cynical and shameful act. Margaret Thatcher's convictions dragged this country down into a divided society with a huge resentful underclass with no jobs and no prospect of getting one, no home and no prospect of getting one (council housing all sold off). She attempted to start the re-criminalisation of homosexuality via clause (section) 28. Privatisation has been a disaster. I could go on...

I am surprised Gordon Brown can even bear to speak to the woman, let alone invite her into his home.

What have you done to the British (politically stupid) public. In reading some of the contributors, I cannot stop laughing my head off.

Nicks topic is a hoot and predictable worms crawled out of predictable holes but a good amount of discussion over the past few days has been informed and in-touch. Margaret Thatcher made many mistakes and is understandably hated for it but I would agree that some of her legacy has had a lasting and positive impact.

Some people may be unused to seeing political opponents be respectful and polite in public. I'm grateful for their leadership example of calm, reasoned, polite, and positive unity. As surely as reconciliation has been useful in countries experiencing greater difficulties, so reconciliation can be useful in building a better Britain.

The Japanese tea ceremony is much more formal than this affair but amounts to the same thing. The symbolic bowing of the body to enter the tea house, careful preparation, hundreds of precise movements, and the final sharing of tea stills the mind and allows understanding to unfold. It's a momentary idealism but a beautiful thing.

Margaret Thatcher has considerable experience of THE OFFICE of PM. She has provided advice to every one of her successors. And if David Cameron wins an election, she'll doubtless do the same.

MT eradicated the worst excesses of socialism. No-one is more grateful to her for that than New Labour.

David Cameron should think on it before disclaiming her legacy.

Bit of an odd one this given how loathed Margaret Thatcher was & still is by traditional Labour, and how loathed Gordon Brown appears to be by traditional Tories? I don't think the "floating" voter will be that impressed at what they will see as more spin by Gordon Brown, and Margaret Thatcher publicity seeking/trying to look important.

Just heard the Tories accusing Brown of "exploiting" Thatcher. Rubbish. Noone would be able to exploit Mrs Thatcher....she was well aware of the political consequences her visit would give. Having said that; it is complete nonsense to describe this as political engineering. In the US, A President wouldn't be chastised for inviting a former president; democrat or republican to the White House. We should not be criticising the Prime Minister for inviting one of his predecessors back to Downing Street.

Joining Julia Richardson in berrating the reports of the "lonely old lady".
So very rude and disrespectful. How about some respect for the trial we all go through that is aging? How about showing some respect for a women...a women that came from a working class family believing in herself and her ideas and ran our country for 11 years. Maybe its easier to mock people later in life that have achieved so much more than you could have the ability to?

hmmm. a lot of fuss about nothing really methinks. the returning of a long remembered courtesy is never really a bad thing. i feel that paul kenny's response is a tad overblown, labour 'lost' it's core voters at the moment of re-branding, unfortunately for them they had nowhere to go [other than the BNP and the other un-electable extremist parties] so still and always will vote labour leaving kenny's point as moot.

oh, and why is there a link to this page in the headline? bizarre.

I think its a shame that the PM has exploited a vulnerable old woman for his own selfish political ends..Why are the labour party not up in arms over this disgusting image?Are they all useless sheep?

Margaret Thatcher has considerable experience of THE OFFICE of PM. She has provided advice to every one of her successors. And if David Cameron wins an election, she'll doubtless do the same.

I've been slow to comment on Prime Minister Brown or Baroness Thatcher. I tend to think people are reading too much into this meeting but a few thoughts about Thatcher have sprung to mind. Her policies may have cause for regret but as narrow minded and insensitive as she could be, she seems sincere and in as much need of friendship as anyone. I think, her tactful disapproval of the Conservatives suggests she can't endorse their current windsock policies and knows when people want her for what they can get out of her. Remember, she is a woman and Brown's strength and kindness with reciprocating her earlier honour would mean something to her.

I don’t have many kind words to say about Baroness Thatcher but I'm wary of being unreasonable and brutish. She is an old lady with many accomplishments and regrets behind her. I've made enough mistakes and trod on enough toes, and I'm only half her age and barely sipped from the glass of power. It gives me some pause for thought to wonder how things could have turned out if I was twice as old and had drunk from the firehose. And that's something union barons, company fat cats, and mere commentators like ourselves could soberly profit from reflecting on. Certainly, a better Britain isn't just a challenge for others, it's a sack we must carry as well.

It may be an unrealistic optimism but if Baroness Thatcher could gather her experience and find time to educate, entertain, and inform poor communities, business start-ups, and struggling families, perhaps she might find some of the respect and kindness she's lacking in her twilight years. I'm a big fan of the idea that retired masters of their craft use their time to teach. Indeed, in Japan during the reign of the Samurai, many esteemed Samurai didn't just end their service with seppuku, they became teachers or priests. Instead of their knowledge, skill, and experience being lost, they invested in the bottom and helped bring on another generation.

Do people really believe than an old pro like Lady Thatcher would be exploited. She has a whole staff advising her and her own political instincts. 81 she may be, a little frail she may also be, but anybody's fool she is not. Lady T knew exactly what she was doing and good on her for shaming the wet lettuce occupying the leadership of a party Margaret Thatcher devoted the best part of her life to. For what thanks??!!

The Tory response to this has been nothing short of ridiculous. The 'criticism' they have levelled at Thatcher (in saying she is unable to make sound judgement) just exposes them as being properly ticked-off. They should have just played it down...

Come on Nick, you are lacking behind in fabulous news. Cameron has opened his mouth about Northern Rock. Let's be having you Nick.

I truly believe that due to the lack of democracy in this country. People should shun voting. We where promised a vote on EEC now denied. We are denied the opportunity for our politicians to discuss the majority of issues in the house because they are put out to review boards etc where by cronies of the so call elite can sponge of the good people. We where told that immigation would be controlled. Why has it not?. We are the joke of the so called community. We even allow media issues on how to sponge off of us to be printed. Why should a vote now count. DON'T VOTE maybe then they would realise that a dictatorship which is what they are creating is going down the crooked path

No it can't be?

Brown is borrowing Maggies Crystal Balls to guess the outcome of the General Election. Does being a Politician of conviction require balls?

Ed thinks so!

I would like to refer to the comment written by 'Albert', which lightly and stereotypically brands the British public 'politically stupid'. How ironic that in writing this, the commentator also simultaneously claims that Thatcher managed to "destroy the die hard lefties". If the commentator thinks that this is at all the case, or that Mrs Thatcher is in some way a major actor in "destroying" socialists, may I inform him that he may well be a member of that very group of people known as the "politically stupid".

It is more likely to be the case that Mrs Thatcher pursued a number of objectives that aimed to further the New Right conservative cause, and not the democratic socialist causes campaigned for by such PMs as Callaghan and Wilson. She was tough on the trade unions - the vast majority of whom were members of the left - and she focussed on inflation and not unemployment, again, a New Right policy, which would be greeted with antagonism by the "die hard" lefties.

However, I would like to applaud Albert in his inability to "stop laughing" at other contributors' comments. Without humour and light heartedness, politics would be perhaps a dreary and depressing business.

Regards

Do people really believe than an old pro like Lady Thatcher would be exploited. She has a whole staff advising her and her own political instincts. 81 she may be, a little frail she may also be, but anybody's fool she is not. Lady T knew exactly what she was doing and good on her for shaming the wet lettuce occupying the leadership of a party Margaret Thatcher devoted the best part of her life to. For what thanks??!!

Baroness Thatcher is old, a woman, and a figure of loathing for many. Picking on her is an easy target but there is no honour in this. Steel jawed masters of the universe might be more respected and deploy their efforts more wisely if they considered things more carefully before drawing their sword. Acting in anger tends to miss the target and lead to more ruin. There is some merit in respect and kindness as the Prime Minister so ably demonstrates.