How Did Margaret Thatcher Provoke Such Divergent Opinions In The United Kingdom?

The death of Britain’s most debated Prime Minister made people think back at what she left behind. Margaret Thatcher’s legacy can be featured in several different ways, however, it all boils down to one question; why does she provoke such divergent opinions in the United Kingdom?
Margaret was born in England, October 12, 1925. Growing up, she was surrounded by politics because her dad was the Mayor in the town they lived in. She studied chemistry at Oxford University, where she also became president of the Oxford University Conservative Association. After graduating from Oxford, Margaret moved to Essex to work as a research chemist, where she was turned down. In their opinion, she was headstrong and obscenely self-opinionated. This led to Margaret
looking in other directions, where she discovered her passion for politics.
She started her carrier in politics with running for office parliamentary seat in the 1950 elections. She was well aware that winning would be close to impossible, and despite her defeat, she kept trying. After losing once again, she put the politics on hold and studied law. In 1959, her career in politics kick-started when she won a seat in the House of Commons. It was clear to see that she had a bright future in politics, and later on she was appointed parliamentary under secretary for pensions and national insurance in 1961. Her political career kept going upwards until she became Britain’s first female prime minister in May 1979.
Upon her fifteen years in office, she was nicknamed “the iron lady”.
A term in which describes a strong willed woman. Looking at everything she achieved, the term fits her perfectly. She was a political warrior, and other people’s advice was insignificant to her. In Thatcher’s belief, she was always right. Moreover, when she took office, Britain was in desperate need for change. Economical issues was tearing the country down, and Thatcher intended to do something about it. Her political views can be summarized in one word, Thatcherism. Privatization, low tax, a small state and independence were the main principals in this theory, a theory in which redefined British
economy.
Looking at all this makes it hard to believe how people could hate a woman like Margaret Thatcher. Britain is still affected by her actions, and for good or for bad, she made a difference. One of the actions that may have reduced her popularity is when she created the poll tax. This tax provided for a single flat-rate per-capita tax on every adult. It was undoubtedly an unpopular decision, because British people gathered in riots in opposition to the poll tax. Further, the union was hit hard under her regime. Mineworkers went on a strike that lasted for two years, as a consequence to Thatcher not giving in to the Unions demands. This caused the union to go broke, and have a major downfall in members. The union used to be a major force; yet, the number of members are still going down to this day. If this is a good or a bad consequence is for every man to decide for himself. However, many Britons feel like she destroyed a part of the culture when she destroyed the coal mining industry.
Despite her harsh actions and leadership style, one can simply not deny the fact that Britain would not have one such an up rise in the economy if it was not for Thatcher.
Still, why does her legacy provoke such outrageous reactions? Well for starters, she changed Britain fast and severe. The people did not have any say, and she made it harder for the lower-income families. She cut in welfare benefits, which leaves a part of society vulnerable. One could say that she favored the successful and ambitious people, and left the rest feeling forgotten and suppressed. In her speeches, she referred to “our people”. People interpret this as if she was talking to the people who shared her way of thinking, and not to the British nation as a whole. She lacked feelings for the community and obligations that tied them together. Her focus was exclusively on creating a nation based on individuality and the “winner takes all”
principle.
In conclusion, her leadership style was most definitely redefining, and despite all the criticism she has gotten, her way of lifting Britain from failure to success was exceptional. She left behind a legacy of division, greed and privatization. In despite, she did what was necessary to stop the downfall of Britain.