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Original poster

To spend my morning watching the funeral of Maggie Thatcher (on BBC) ?

893 replies

JugglingFromHereToThere · 17/04/2013 09:34

She was our first woman prime-minister - a significant personal achievement, especially for the daughter of a grocer from Grantham, born in 1925 Shock

Also I agree with those that say these ceremonial occasions are something we do really well in Britain.

So AIBU to be watching this morning - in spite of disagreeing with many of her policies ? Will you be watching ?
And what do you make of both her personal achievement and her legacy ?

OP posts:
teejwood · 17/04/2013 11:39

Just as a reminder - the funeral was planned under Labour. If you have a quibble with it, it's with the previous administration as much as the present.

Fine to protest - but in front of the bloody coffin just isn't civilised.

Also throwing crap at the horses is not exactly showing a great deal of a) sense or b) concern for living creatures. Again, the protester demeans themselves rather than the event.

FWIW I was horrified at many of Maggie's policies during the 80's. I studied politics during that period so was paying very close attention! How I loved the way she and her politics were satirised by Spitting Image/HIGNFY/ Private Eye/ Ben Elton.

But the truth is she was a person, a wife, mother and grandmother as well as a politician - and people are fallible and painted in various shades of grey (bit like Major's Spitting Image puppet!) rather than a black and white caricature. She was not all bad. Although many of the policies of her administration were divisive and destructive some were constructive. Mining, obviously, was all but destroyed - but many young entrepreneurs were helped to start businesses, some of which will have shaped the world we live in today, in a positive way. She supported Pinochet - but in defeating Galtieri she helped Argentina become more democratic. Her relationship with Regan helped define monetary policy and the growth of financial services - but equally her relationship with Gorbachev helped to end the cold war.

She did not try to privatise the NHS or introduce academies and free schools - unlike subsequent Labour and Coalition administrations.

Bottom line - her legacy was mixed. As a human being, she deserves to be laid to rest in a dignified way - as any of us would wish to be.

NotTreadingGrapes · 17/04/2013 11:39

What are they singing? Italian tv cut to some boring Berlusca stuff.

MeAndMySpoon · 17/04/2013 11:40

Not sure I approve of Charteres telling us we've all got it wrong about the famous 'No such thing as society' quotation. Hmm Thank you, I think it's up to us all to make our own interpretations. Did anyone follow the very interesting and informative discussion about this on R4's PM programme last week?

Original poster
JugglingFromHereToThere · 17/04/2013 11:40

Chartres - not bad, but went on a bit ? Thought he was good where he talked about her as a person at the beginning. Then it got a bit christian at the end I thought - but ministers usually do !
Back to the hymns and singing ... that's better Smile

OP posts:
miemohrs · 17/04/2013 11:40

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

YoniMaroney · 17/04/2013 11:41

NotTreadingGrapes: www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-22151589

melika · 17/04/2013 11:41

Shocked to see Osborne visibly upset, but yet none of her old cabinet are!

Chockyeggpants · 17/04/2013 11:41

Yes teej, looks like Labourites have short memories as well as shit policies....

Flosshilde · 17/04/2013 11:42

Love divine all loves excelling. Another nice hymn.

TheOneWithTheHair · 17/04/2013 11:42

Good post teejwood.

ExitPursuedByABear · 17/04/2013 11:42

I think things were thrown at the horses prior to the flowers. Whilst the been was showing liz n Philly arriving

BastardDog · 17/04/2013 11:42

Bishop of London. Brilliant.

Chockyeggpants · 17/04/2013 11:42

Sorry I couldn't do Boris. I don't do sloppy seconds....

whiteandyellowiris · 17/04/2013 11:42

oh yeah we all got it wrong the whole 'No such thing as society'

that wasn't actually what she ment..... Hmm

ExitPursuedByABear · 17/04/2013 11:42

Beeb

miemohrs · 17/04/2013 11:43

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

YoniMaroney · 17/04/2013 11:43

Nice Jamaican accent. Smile

landofsoapandglory · 17/04/2013 11:43

DS1(18) absolutely loves Boris!

He is ill today so home from school, he is watching the funeral with me. He is studying Thatcher at the moment for his History A level so it is quite apt.

melika · 17/04/2013 11:43

I like a good 'do' I do, hope it's a decent buffet!

Mrsrobertduvall · 17/04/2013 11:43

N't this lady got a beautiful voice?

NotTreadingGrapes · 17/04/2013 11:43

Oh thank you for link!

Mrsrobertduvall · 17/04/2013 11:44

hasn't

Chockyeggpants · 17/04/2013 11:44

Your DS is studying Thatcher?
As in she is history??
Fuck, I feel OLD...

JakeBullet · 17/04/2013 11:44

Save me the bloody politics folks...it's a fecking funeral.
I don't care WHO planned it....just know she is on record somewhere saying she didn't want a State funeral. Bad luck Maggie.....you got ne in all but name.

mymatemax · 17/04/2013 11:45

was Cameron Yawning when he was singing?

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