Margaret Thatcher: Was She Really That Good? | Margaret Thatcher: Was She Really That Good?

Margaret Thatcher was the first and only (so far) woman prime minister of the United Kingdom. She was in office for eleven years that made her the longest continually serving prime minister in parliament. When Margaret was elected she had a rough start, which created a first bad impression. Her introduction of the poll tax also known as The Community Charge began to create a negative outcome. Margaret's refusal to form political or economic interrogation with Europe and her "Bruges Speech" worsened the bonds with her colleagues and Foreign States associates. The leader of the Conservative Party, Margaret Thatcher, did not uphold the expectations of a British Prime Minister.

Margaret Roberts was born on October 13th 1925, in the north end of England, in a small town called Grantham. She was the daughter of a grocer who was also a town's councilman, Alfred Roberts. Margaret's mother was a seamstress. Margaret's parents gave birth to another girl in 1929 and named her Muriel. They both grew up in a religious practical environment. Margaret went to school at Kesteven & Grantham Girl's school before advancing to Oxford University to read chemistry. After failing many attempts to become a Member of Parliament, she married a wealthy businessman by the name of Denis Thatcher in 1951. They gave birth to twins two years later and named them Mark and Carol (Margaret Thatcher; World Political Leaders).

When Margaret Thatcher won the general election and became Britain's first woman Prime Minister in 1979 she was in for a rough start. Her first two years in office were not easy. Her first difficulty she faced was when the damage done to business and a deep recession caused by the government's policy of high interest rates. Then unemployment rates soon increased dramatically to 3 million, which was unthinkable just a few years before (www.marg.net). Due to these economic downfalls, a lot of high profile resignations were triggered and rivalry in the cabinet was sparked. All these events did not give Margaret Thatcher a good start in her parliament career. Her political start was not the only problem.

Margaret Thatcher introduced the poll tax in 1989- also known as the community charge, which also led to her downfall. This was her attempt to replace the old rate system (www.marg.org). It became the government's flagship policy. This was not such a good move because it was highly unpopular in Scotland. Following its introduction riots broke out causing more difficulties for Mrs. Thatcher. This caused deep divisions between the conservative members of parliament, who were fearful of loosing their seats. More problems were to arise in a short period of time because of the decisions that Margaret made, in a short period of time.

Mrs. Thatcher had to deal with the political questions about Britain's economic and political relationship with Europe. However she did not deal with it well. Margaret Thatcher "rejected any form of political or economic interrogation with Europe." She did this because she believed that it would pose an economic threat to her achievement during the previous decade. "Her position vexed European leaders"(Margaret Thatcher: History Today) What really struck the wrong notes with her colleagues was her "Bruges Speech" in which she expressed her view of sovereign nation states. This caused major tensions between her and her political associates. Even "her long serving Foreign secretary Sir Geoffrey Howe resigned in November 1990 in protest at Thatcher's attitude to Europe." The speech he gave at his resignation also lead to the events that lead to her downfall.

All these events caused the downfall of Margaret Thatcher's parliamentary career. "Margaret Thatcher was just another politician who would lie when cornered"--. After her negative start, her introduction of the Poll tax, and her refusal to form political or economic interrogation with Europe including her "Bruges Speech" it was clear that she wouldn't stand a chance in being re-elected as Prime Minister of Britain in 1990. Margaret Thatcher's Conservative Party are placed by the conservative capitalists in the political spectrum. It is proven that Margaret Thatcher, leader of the Conservative Party, did not uphold the expectations of Britain's Prime Minister. Mrs. Thatcher resigned on the 22nd of November 1990 after barely surviving the first round against Michael Heseltine who was a former cabinet member. In 1992 she was made a Baroness and took her seat in the House of Lords (www.number.gov). Margaret Thatcher may not have been the best Prime Minister of Britain but she was the first and only (so far) female Prime Minister of Britain and will be remembered greatly for that.