It's What Everybody Is Talking About. One Might As Well Join In

[poliphilo]

Most British Prime Ministers leave behind a legacy of indifference. Who today feels strongly about John Major or even Gordon Brown? The two exceptions of recent times are Tony Blair and Margaret Thatcher. Blair unites the country in contempt; Thatcher divides it.  She's been out of office for nearly a quarter of a century and still commands adoration and hatred.  Dividing a nation and keeping it divided is a rare achievement.  I can't think of any other person since the Civil War who has managed to pull it off.

That is why a state funeral is not in order. If they paraded her through the streets the way they did the Duke of Wellington or Churchill or Princess Di there would be a mixed hail of roses and rotten veg. Public order could not be guaranteed.

The BBC seems to think it needs to suspend normal programming in order to talk and talk and talk about her. It's in danger of wearing out the patience of at least half of us (probably more like three quarters to be honest).

Comments

[puddleshark.livejournal.com]

I can see I'm going to have to avoid the television for the next week, at least. And probably the newspapers...

It's not that I have any personal hatred these days. She was merely the vanguard of the everything's-for-sale and sauve-qui-peut philosophy - an idea whose time had come. And anyway, I'm too busy hating George Osborne this week.

But I wish it were possible for someone in the public spotlight to seriously question her legacy, examine the long-term results of her policies, without being vilified by the media.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

Strange isn't it? A large proportion of the country detests her memory and legacy and yet there's no one in public life to speak up for us.

[(Anonymous)]

There is a fair obituary from Neil Kinnock on the BBC website. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-22067028 ie it doesn't pull its punches. Avoiding the tv will be better otherwise I may be throwing things at it. I am trying to dream up something I could do to protest while the gun carriage rolls around London with Mrs T.
Love Jenny x

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

It's going to be a very interesting funeral. They're going to have to shut London down if they want to keep things seemly.

[davesmusictank.livejournal.com]

I concur on that