Margaret Thatcher, Former British Prime Minister, Dies at 87

Margaret Hilda Thatcher, The Baroness Thatcher, Former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, has died of a stroke at the age of 87. She is survived by her son, Sir Mark, and daughter Carol.

Margaret Thatcher led the United Kingdom from 1979 to 1990. She was the first woman to head a major political party and the first woman prime minister in the UK. After delivering a speech attacking the Soviet Union, a Soviet journalist called her “The Iron Lady” and it stuck.

Early life

She was born as Margaret Roberts in 1925 to Alfred Roberts and Beatrice Ethel. Alfred Roberts a grocer, who also served as an alderman and a preacher. She went to Oxford University on a scholarship and graduated as a chemist. She later took up law after her marriage to Denis Thatcher.

Politica career

She started her political career in 1950 as a Conservative, and won her first MP seat in 1959 representing Finchley. In 1970, she was appointed as Secretary of State for Education and Science by then Prime Minister Edward Heath. She later defeated Heath in 1975 for the leadership of the Conservative Party.

In 1979, she led the Conservatives to victory over the Labour Party, and became the Prime Minister. Her economic policies led to far-reaching consequences and included deregulation of industries and privatization of public corporations. During her term, she was also able to reduce the power of unions. With these changes, the Labour Party had a hard time getting back to their former position of power in key areas including Scotland.

Considered by many as one of the greatest, if not the greatest, British Prime Minister of the 20th Century, she is credited with helping bring down Communism. During her term, the Falklands War erupted with the occupation of the Falklands and South Georgia Islands by Argentina. She created a small War Cabinet, formally known as Overseas and Defense Committee, South Atlantic, and directed the conduct of war until the Argentines surrendered. She was also instrumental in forcing George W. Bush towards a miliatry solution when Iraq attacked and occupied Kuwait during the first Gulf. She had already been replaced as Prime Minister when the joint military forces launched their attack towards retaking Kuwait.

Lady Thatcher implemented policies, which have been emulated by other countries. These include lower taxes, free trade, smaller government, deregulation and privatization, and monetarism were the hallmarks of her term in office. These were implemented to reverse the UK’s economic decline. Although early in her career she had made friends with local Jews and was a founding member of the local Anglo-Israel Friendship League, during her term in office she condemned an action by Israel as a breach of International Law.

Failing health

Lady Thatcher had two small strokes in 2001 and 2002, and in 2008 she was diagnosed with dementia. Due to her condition, she was not able to attend her own 85th birthday party arranged by David Cameron at 10 Downing Street. She was also not able to attend the Royal wedding of Prince Harry and Kate Middleton at Westminster Abbey. She was reportedly staying at the Ritz Hotel because it was easier to take care of her there.

Ceremonial Funeral

Her funeral will be at the St. Paul’s Cathedral, the Prime Minister’s Office announced. She will be accorded a full ceremonial funeral. This is not like a state funeral; instead it will be like the Queen Mother’s funeral and that of Princess Diana. She will not however lie in state.