I realise that as a Labour candidate for Parliament, this might not be what some would expect me to write, but the truth is that Lady Thatcher was not only the first female British Prime Minister, but she also transformed British politics more than any Prime Minister since Clem Attlee (more on him in a moment).
I disagreed with many of Mrs Thatcher’s policies but, as one Labour Shadow Minister said yesterday, she is a reminder in this more cynical age of the ‘power of politics’. She was an icon and her significance to the British political scene was enormous.
As a female candidate for Parliament, Mrs Thatcher’s conquering of what was then a very male-dominated world to become Britain’s first female party leader, and then Prime Minister, is – whether or not you agree with what she did when she got there – both fascinating and inspiring.
I suspect it goes without saying that there are other female political figures who I admire for different reasons, such as Labour’s Barbara Castle, about whom I’ve just finished reading a fantastic biography.
However, at a time when women are still woefully under-represented in British politics (they make up just 22% of current MPs), whether you think she changed Britain for the better or not, it is inescapable that Lady Thatcher shattered through the top-most glass ceiling of all. And, what’s more, she won three general elections. For that, she deserves respect.
Reflecting on her death, I was reminded of a film I saw over Easter: The Spirit of ’45 about the impact of Clem Attlee’s post-war government. Like Thatcher, Attlee wrought huge social, economic and political change on the nation, with reforms such as the introduction of the National Health Service, the decolonisation of India and the nationalisation of key industries such as the railways.
Like Thatcher, Attlee had detractors as well as admirers (although I’d argue the former was considerably more divisive), and like Thatcher in 1979, Attlee was able to achieve many of his reforms because of a sense in 1945 that Britain needed and was ready for something very different.
Though the reformist zeal and attitudes of leaders such as Attlee and Thatcher may not be as effective or translate as well in today’s age of soundbites and instant reaction, both Prime Ministers are reminders that we elect politicians not only to represent us, but also to really lead.
In many ways the scale of the problems that will face Britain in 2015 are as great as they were in 1979 or 1945 – to confront them, and to seize the opportunity to change Britain for the better, our political leaders ought to be bold.
Lucy Rigby is Lincoln Labour's candidate to be the city's next MP. She is a solicitor and lives in central Lincoln.
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We are appealing for witnesses and dashcam footage after a fail to stop in Welton, Lincoln.
It’s believed a black or grey 4×4 or SUV vehicle collided with a silver Mini Cooper that was parked along Cliff Road. The incident was reported just after 3pm today.
If you witnessed the collision or have dashcam footage available, please get in touch.
By calling 101 quoting incident 275 of 1st July.
By emailing [email protected] quoting incident 275 of 1st July in the subject line.
If you wish to remain anonymous, you can report via the independent charity CrimeStoppers on 0800 555 111 or online.
A snack bar in Lincoln has been told to make improvements in several areas after being given a one-star food hygiene rating.
Monks Road Snack Bar, located on 23 Monks Road, was visited by city council inspectors on May 25, 2022 and the rating was recently published on the Food Standards Agency’s website.
The standards found at the time of inspection showed that improvement was necessary in the areas of ‘hygienic food handling’ and the ‘Cleanliness and condition of facilities and building’.
It was also deemed that there was “major improvement necessary” relating to the ‘Management of food safety’.
Monks Road Snack Bar was previously given five-star ratings in June 2016 and September 2018.
The Lincolnite tried to contact the business on numerous occasions throughout the day on Friday, July 1 but the line was continuously engaged.