The
"Iron Lady" who dominated British politics for two decades was 87.
Britain's
only woman prime minister, the tough, outspoken leader led the Conservatives to
three election victories, governing from 1979 to 1990 - which was the longest continuous
period in office on the part of a British prime minister since the early 19th
century.
It is
with great sadness that Mark and Carol Thatcher announced that their mother
Baroness Thatcher died peacefully following a stroke this morning.
A
grocer's (Shop Keeper’s) daughter with a
steely resolve, she became loved and loathed in equal measure as she crushed
the unions, adopted a hard line against republicanism in Northern Ireland and
privatised vast swathes of British industry. A great lady she changed the face
of British politics, created opportunity for anyone to succeed in the UK. Baroness
Thatcher in the 80s kick-started the entrepreneurial revolution, that allowed
chirpy chappies to succeed and not just the elite. Ms Thatcher earned a place
in history as the first female British prime minister when she entered Downing
Street in 1979. Over the next 11 years even her critics admitted that she
changed the face of the country.
In recent
years her health deteriorated, and she stopped making public appearances. Mrs
Thatcher had suffered several small strokes in 2002, and received medical
advice against accepting any more public speaking engagements. Her increasingly
frail condition when she was seen - especially after the death of husband Denis
in 2003 - led to frequent bouts of speculation about her health. Ms
Thatcher coped with her final, difficult years with dignity and courage. A
fantastic leader who will never be forgotten.