Who is Margaret Thatcher by profession? Biography of Margaret Thatcher - what was the “Iron Lady” like?

Margaret Thatcher is one of the most famous heads of government of the United Kingdom. She was the first woman to occupy one of the main positions in one of the most influential states. The future female prime minister was born in October 1925. Her father worked as a grocer. From 1947 to 1951 she worked in the chemical industry.

In 1950, she made her first attempt to be elected to the British Parliament, but failed, losing the election. In 1953 she graduated as a lawyer, and a year later she began working in her profession. But in 1959, parliamentary elections took place, in which Margaret Thatcher was able to win and become a deputy. In the period 1961-1964 she served as a junior minister social security, and from 1970 to 1974 she was Minister of Science and Education. After the Conservative Party's defeat in the 1974 elections, she was appointed leader of the party. And at the next elections in 1979, her party won, and she, as the leader of the winning party, took the place of chairman of the government.

The first female prime minister began her work by improving the economy. She cut government spending and reduced funding unprofitable companies. Some government manufacturing enterprises were sold or leased to private individuals. It was very afraid of inflation and believed that it was much more dangerous than unemployment.

For her toughness in defending her position and making decisions, Margaret Thatcher received the nickname “Iron Lady,” under which she entered world history.

In 1982, she was one of the most ardent supporters of sending British troops to the shores of the Falkland Islands, occupied by Argentina. This helped her and her party win a landslide victory in the parliamentary elections in 1983.

She was a principled Prime Minister and during the miners' strike in 1984-1985 she did not agree to their demands. Thus, she managed to maintain tariffs. In the 1987 elections, her party won again and Margaret Thatcher became Prime Minister for a third term. And in modern history this is a very great achievement.

She was opposed to integration into the European monetary system. As a result, dissatisfaction with Margaret Thatcher's policies in this direction grew among conservatives.

In November 1990, the era of the reign of the “Iron Lady” ended. Margaret Thatcher resigned. After her resignation, she remained a member of the House of Commons for several years, but retired two years later. In 2007, a monument was erected to Margaret Thatcher. This monument was the first monument erected to a living former prime minister. Margaret Thatcher died in 2013. She was 87 years old.

Margaret Thatcher was an economic innovator who tried to preserve state economy, but they didn’t understand her. Modern British politicians are increasingly returning to the course set by the “Iron Lady”

Interesting Facts and dates from life

Margaret Thatcher is one of the most charismatic, prominent and controversial figures in modern times. political history. She became the only woman as Prime Minister of Great Britain and the first woman to hold this position in a European state. Thatcher's premiership was her country's longest in the past century, and political course, carried out by the government of the “Iron Lady”, immortalized her name in its name - “Thatcherism”.

Margaret Thatcher: biography of her early years

Margaret Hilda Roberts was born on October 13, 1925 in the English city of Grantham (Lincolnshire). Her father owned two grocery stores. He also served as a Grantham councilor and was a Methodist pastor. The strict upbringing given by her father affected the formation of the character of the future “iron lady” - first of all, he encouraged such qualities as discipline and diligence.

In children's and early years Margaret developed in many ways. After graduating primary school V hometown, she received a scholarship to Kesteven and Graham School for Girls. She also enjoyed playing the piano and poetry, and was also involved in race walking, field hockey and swimming.

In 1943, she entered Oxford University, where she studied chemistry, and four years later received a bachelor's degree. During her studies, her interest in politics began to manifest: she became chairman of her university's Conservative Party Association.

After graduating, Margaret Roberts got a job in Essex as a celluloid plastics chemist. At the same time, she joined the local Tory party association.

Beginning of a political career

In January 1951, a friend of Margaret's from university, apparently sensing serious political potential in her, recommended that she be included on the Conservative electoral roll for one of the constituencies in Kent. After her candidacy was approved, Margaret Roberts moved to the city of Dartford. Here she met businessman Denis Thatcher. In 1951 she married him.

Participating in the elections of 1950 and 1951, Margaret Thatcher (then Roberts) attracted the attention of the press as the only woman on the party list and as the youngest candidate, but she failed to enter parliament - Labor won. However, despite the loss, she gained invaluable experience.

During the same period, she finally left chemistry classes and, with the support of her husband, received a second higher education- legal. Having become a barrister, a high-ranking lawyer with the right to conduct cases, Thatcher continued to run for parliament, while simultaneously raising twins Carol and Mark, born in 1953.

In April 1959, luck finally smiled on her: as a candidate from the Finchley constituency, during a difficult election struggle she became a member of the House of Commons. In parliament, she was assigned the position of chairman of the Pension Committee and at the same time head of the National Security Committee.

In 1967, after Labour's election victory, Margaret Thatcher entered the "shadow cabinet" formed by the Conservatives, becoming Housing Minister. And three years later, when power in Great Britain again passed to the Tories led by Edward Heath, she became Minister of Science and Education.

In 1975, the Liberals defeated the Conservatives in the elections, but Thatcher's popularity allowed her to remain in the ministerial chair. In the same year, Margaret Thatcher became the head of the Conservative Party.

Prime Ministerial Elections

By the beginning of 1979, the economic situation in Great Britain was very difficult. Inflation has increased significantly, labor productivity has fallen, and the quality of equipment produced in the country has decreased. Low level people's lives caused a wave of strikes that paralyzed many industries. A government crisis was brewing.

Margaret Thatcher, who was the leader of the opposition at that time, passed a vote of no confidence in the government, which (by a margin of just one vote) was supported by parliament. New elections were scheduled to take place on May 3, 1979.

The Tory manifesto, written by Thatcher, essentially embodied a plan to lead the country out of the crisis. She proposed to achieve a reduction in inflation by reducing government spending (excluding the healthcare sector). As an incentive for the development of entrepreneurship, it was planned to reduce the upper limit of taxes. Taxation of low-paid segments of the population was planned to be reduced.

As a result of the elections, the Conservatives received a convincing majority of seats in parliament. And Margaret Thatcher, whose biography was replenished with a new achievement, became the first woman prime minister in the history of her state.

Foreign policy

The foreign policy course of the Thatcher cabinet assumed the revival of Great Britain's position as a great world power, as well as participation in resolving a number of global issues on the world stage, including those not within the sphere of the country's immediate interests. British diplomacy of that period was characterized by determination and toughness - traits that distinguished Margaret Thatcher's policies in general.

The Iron Lady relied on the development of mutually beneficial bilateral relations with the former British colonies in southern Africa. Thanks to them, Britain was able to significantly strengthen its economic and military presence in this region.

In 1982, after Argentina occupied the disputed territories of the Falkland Islands, Thatcher sent British warships to the south Atlantic, which managed to regain control of the islands in a matter of weeks. This achievement gave the Conservatives a second victory in the parliamentary elections the following year.

Thatcher had a very negative attitude towards the processes of European integration. She would prefer to orient the life of Europe towards the same principles that she preached in her own country: freedom of enterprise and movement Money, lack of protectionism and free market. In her opinion, the basis of relations on the continent should have been cooperation between independent sovereign powers. However, some concessions, in particular Britain’s participation in the European Exchange Rate Mechanism, the predecessor of the Monetary Union, indicated that the “Iron Lady” still made compromises, recognizing the inevitability of the integration processes taking place on the continent.

Relations with the USA

The period of Thatcher's premiership was characterized by a rapprochement between Great Britain and the United States. The latter supported Britain at the UN during the Falklands Crisis; the allied relations of these countries have significantly strengthened in a number of global issues. This was largely justified by the similar political beliefs of US President Ronald Reagan and Margaret Thatcher. Photos of both politicians during their frequent official meetings are known throughout the world.

Thatcher approved the American SDI project, as well as NATO plans to build up weapons, allowing the deployment of one hundred and sixty missiles on British territory medium range and by adopting a program to equip nuclear submarines American missiles"Trident". She supported Reagan's initiatives towards the USSR, which they both viewed with distrust.

Relations with the USSR

Back in 1976, while leading the Conservative Party in Great Britain, Thatcher sharply criticized political actions Soviet Union, declaring that he is determined to achieve world domination. In response, in the pages of Krasnaya Zvezda, the newspaper of the Soviet Ministry of Defense, she was called the “iron lady.” This characteristic was immediately picked up English edition The Sunday Times. Since then, Margaret Thatcher's nickname - "The Iron Lady" - has become her middle name.

At the same time, despite the harsh anti-Soviet position at the very beginning of her time in power, It was Thatcher who became the first leader of a Western state to support political changes in the USSR. Even before the fall of the Berlin Wall and the socialist regimes in Eastern Europe, she started talking about the end of " cold war", openly supporting Mikhail Gorbachev. After Gorbachev came to power, the relationship between the two leaders remained constructive and emphatically respectful.

In the book "The Art of Statecraft", published in 2002 from the pen of Margaret Thatcher, an entire chapter was written about Russia. In general, supporting the reformers of the 90s of the last century, she expresses the idea that it is impossible to “fit” Russia into the framework of Western European values ​​due to historical features development of this country.

Domestic policy

During her eleven years as head of the British cabinet, Margaret Thatcher carried out a number of tough reforms in various areas of the country's life. She initiated the transfer into private hands of traditionally public sectors of the economy (telephone, aerospace and gas companies), as well as the purchase of housing by its tenants, and increased a number of taxes.

She actively fought against the influence of trade unions, limiting their powers. She revised the system of assistance to the unemployed, stimulating earlier retirement, part-time work, and retraining of more in-demand personnel. In addition, the development of small businesses was encouraged.

These measures actually led to stabilization of the economic situation, reduction of inflation and unemployment. However, the introduction of a new communal "poll tax" instead of the previous one, based on the rental value of a house, as well as the encouragement of paid education and medicine, caused strong protests from the British and contributed to the decline in the popularity of the Prime Minister and her party.

Retirement and life after it

After taking a number of unpopular measures, accompanied by widespread anti-government protests, Margaret Thatcher had no choice but to resign. She decided to take this step in November 1990, after much hesitation. Her place was taken by John Major, former Secretary of the Exchequer.

In the same year, the “Iron Lady” was awarded the Order of Merit, and two years later, Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain granted Margaret Thatcher a baronial title and the right to lifelong membership in the House of Lords.

The postulates of “Thatcherism” were accepted by many of her followers. Tony Blair, Gordon Brown and David Cameron met with her after they were elected to this post. Before last days she continued to take part in social and political life of your country. In addition, she wrote several autobiographical books and also established her own foundation.

Margaret Thatcher died on April 8, 2013 in London at the age of eighty-seven. The funeral service took place at St. Paul's Cathedral with full military honours. The “iron lady” was buried next to her husband in the cemetery of a military hospital in Chelsea.

- the greatest statesman, public and political figure, Prime Minister of Great Britain. The period of her reign is characterized by an unshakable, rigid adherence to the chosen course, despite the disagreement, criticism and resistance of others, later called Thatcherism. Today, the tenets of Thatcherism are shared by all the main parties in the country, even its constant opponents and opponents - the Laborites. During her years as Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher gained a reputation as the Iron Lady and is still the only woman to hold this post in the UK. She was born in the small English town of Grantham on October 13, 1925. She was the second daughter of grocer Alfred Roberts and part-time seamstress Beatrice Stevenson. Despite his primary education, Margaret's father read a lot and constantly expanded his knowledge.

A thirst for knowledge, hard work, frugality, and interest in politics are character traits that passed on to Margaret from her father. The father adored his daughter and sought to fashion an ideal out of her; he did not recognize the expressions “I can’t” or “it’s too difficult.” Margaret will remember for the rest of her life his instructions not to follow the crowd for fear of being different; her father, on the contrary, advised her to lead the crowd behind her. When Margaret was studying at high school, her father became mayor of Grantham, she often went with him to council meetings, which helped her understand the intricacies of political leadership from childhood. And while working in the warehouse of a store owned by her parents, she learned in practice the basics of business and entrepreneurship.

Thanks to her determination and perseverance, she entered the best college in Oxford, Somerville, from which she successfully graduated in 1947, receiving a higher education and the profession of a chemist. At university she joined a conservative association, which she would soon lead. After graduating from university, she worked as a chemist for a plastics firm in Mannington, Essex, and then in London. However, a career as a chemist does not attract her, since her heart is given to politics and law.

She agrees to stand as a candidate in the 1950 parliamentary elections in one of the districts, but her first attempt to make a political career was unsuccessful. During the election campaign, Margaret met businessman Denis Thatcher, whom she married in December 1951. Marriage freed her from financial worries and in 1951 Margaret Thatcher entered law school. After receiving her law degree in 1953, she works as a tax law specialist. In August 1953, twins were born into the Thatcher family - daughter Carol and son Mark. In 1959, she took part in the election race for a seat in parliament and entered the House of Commons for the constituency of Finchley. In 1961 she was appointed Junior Minister for Pensions and National Insurance.

In 1964-1970, she entered the opposition “shadow cabinet” of the government of Edward Heath, who was forced to recognize her as a woman of great potential. When the Conservatives came to power from 1970 to 1974 and Heath was elected prime minister, Thatcher was the only woman in his government and headed the Department of Education. Here she was forced to resort to very unpopular measures and, in order to save money, canceled the free distribution of milk for students primary classes. In 1975, the Liberal Party came to power, but Thatcher was able to retain her ministerial portfolio. In 1975, Thatcher replaced E. Heath and led the Conservative Party. By 1979, an economic crisis was brewing in the country; it was losing its spheres of influence in the world economy and politics.

In 1979, the Conservatives won a landslide victory in the elections to the House of Commons, and their leader, Margaret Thatcher, became the first female prime minister in the history of all of Europe. During her years in office, Thatcher gained a reputation as the Iron Lady. All work in the government headed by her was based on clear subordination, accountability and enormous personal responsibility. tee. During her 11 years as head of government, she carried out a number of tough economic reforms. The government adhered to a strict monetarist policy, the activities of trade unions were limited by the law, and at the same time the scale of its intervention in the economy was reduced. Sectors of the economy that were traditionally a state monopoly (aviation, telecommunications companies, gas giant British Gas) were transferred into private hands, and the value added tax was raised. Argentina's 1982 occupation of the disputed Falkland Islands forced Thatcher to send warships there, helping to restore British control in the area within weeks. This fact played decisive role in the Conservative election victory in 1983.

In the 1987 parliamentary elections, the Conservatives again won victory and a majority vote formed the government, the place of prime minister was occupied by the leader of their party, Margaret Thatcher, for the third term in a row. Her cabinet carried out a number of reforms in the fields of education, health care and the judicial system that did not meet the interests of people employed in these areas; a wave of indignation and protest was caused by the utility tax. Much criticism of her was caused by her disagreement with the policies of the European Union on many issues. In November 1990, Margaret Thatcher resigned for the sake of party unity and the prospect of winning a general election. In 1990, she was awarded the Order of Merit, and on June 26, 1992, Elizabeth II honored her with the title of Baroness. Margaret Thatcher died on April 8, 2013; a funeral service for the ex-Prime Minister of Great Britain was held at St. Paul's Cathedral in London.

Her work as Prime Minister of Great Britain lasted 3 terms, for a total of 11 years. It was a difficult time - then the country was in a deep socio-economic crisis, England was called the “sick man of Europe”. Margaret managed to revive the former authority of Foggy Albion and ensure a preponderance of forces in favor of the conservatives.

"Thatcherism" in politics

This term refers to the attitudes that were characteristic of Margaret Thatcher in ideology, morality, and politics. She tried to implement them when she was prime minister.

Its main characteristic can be called the “right to inequality.” The politician argued that it is human nature to move towards something good, better than what he currently has. Thatcher advocated free enterprise and initiative for profit. However, at the same time, she condemned the “passion for money for money’s sake.”

For Thatcherism, equality is a mirage. And the right to inequality, in turn, pushes a person to stand out, improving himself and improving quality own life. That is why she did not condemn wealth, but, on the contrary, called on all citizens of the country to make efforts to increase it in order to further improve the standard of living.

Childhood

Margaret Thatcher (Roberts) was born in 1925 on October 13 in Grantham, near London in the north. Her family lived modestly, without excesses, one might say, ascetic for the way of life of people Western Europe. There was no running water in the house, and amenities were also located outside. The family had two daughters, Muriel - the eldest, and Margaret - 4 years younger than her.

The eldest was like her mother in everything - Beatrice, while the youngest was an exact copy Alfred's father. She was known as his favorite, so from early childhood the parent began to instill in her all those qualities that later adult life she was greatly helped and turned into a symbol of the era of conservatism in 20th century Britain.

At the age of 5, Margaret began taking piano lessons, and four years later she won a poetry competition. At the awards ceremony, the school principal told Margaret that she was very lucky, to which she replied: “It’s not luck, it’s merit.” From an early age she grew up as a debater, so she was a regular member of the debating club and early years She answered the questions posed with full, meaningful answers, unlike her peers, who “get off” with interjections only.

Father is ideal for Margaret

Alfred had an elementary education, but was distinguished by his thirst for new knowledge, as a result of which he did not spend a day without reading. He instilled this quality in his daughter. They went to the library together and borrowed two books for a week with the goal of reading them one at a time.

It was her father who instilled in little Margaret the quality of being different from everyone else. He instilled in her that a person should “lead” and not be “followed.” To do this, it was necessary to work day after day, thinking about the future and about one’s position in society. Alfred repeated many times: you don’t need to act just because others are doing it.

Her father was her ideal; little Margaret believed that he knew everything. Her characteristic feature was a thirst for knowledge. She had a craving for receiving new information, experience. Margaret attended council meetings with her father, acquiring a taste for politics, theatricality and eloquence. She was 10 years old then.

Margaret Thatcher long years I remembered my father’s instructions and walked through life with them. It was he who brought up in the child those foundations that today the whole world calls with the capacious term “Thatcherism”.

Thatcher's versatile education

Having matured, Margaret remained as conservative as in early childhood. The reason for this was the views on the life of her beloved dad. He was a representative of Protestantism with all the ensuing consequences; in addition, he was a grocer businessman. She never went to dances or to see movies, but she early began working in the warehouse of the Roberts family store, where she learned the basics of business and making a profit.

At the same time, she showed determination - in 4 years she learned Latin language, for admission to the most prestigious women's college in Oxford - Somerville. Her roommate recalled that Margaret would get up while it was still dark and try to study something. The second year of study was difficult: she fell in love with the count's son, but his mother cruelly rejected the girl, saying that the daughter of a simple grocer was no match for her son.

The ambitious girl increasingly realized that politics was conquering her soul. Margaret Thatcher was active in political debate and during these years joined the Conservative Association, becoming its first female president in 1946.

She completed her education at Oxford College in 1947 with a BA in Chemistry. She immediately found a job as a celluloid plastics research scientist in Mannington.

In 1953 she received legal education and spent the next 5 years mastering it in practice, working as a lawyer. A little later, she became a specialist in taxation, having studied this industry to perfection.

Thus, the education of the future politician turned out to be quite versatile: she knew the basics of building a business, had perfect information about legislation and taxes, in addition, she had an excellent understanding of scientific processes, and most importantly, Margaret Thatcher hatched reforms already in those days when she was still far away from the Prime Minister's chair.

Political debut

Oddly enough, after graduating from school, Margaret knew very well where she would continue her studies - at Oxford. Why there? Yes because in this educational institution All future British ministers studied. There she wasted no time in joining the KAOU - the Conservative Association of Oxford University. This began her ascent to political Olympus.

Even then she had a desire to run for the estate representative body, but for this she had to first become the president of KAOU. And Thatcher became one in 1946. This status began to take up a lot of time, she slept 3-4 hours a day. The moment came when she had to choose between politics and education - she chose the first. Therefore, it is no wonder that Margaret Thatcher, in the past an excellent student and student, defended her diploma “satisfactorily”, and she was awarded a 2nd class bachelor’s degree.

Denis Thatcher - a guide to big politics

In 1948, Margaret's candidacy was approved to participate in the parliamentary elections, however, Labor has historically prevailed in Dartford, since the city was industrial. Therefore, she lost her first elections, but this further encouraged the woman to further active work.

At the same time, she met Denis Thatcher (it is by the last name of her husband that she is known throughout the world). In 1951, he proposed to her. The man was 33 years old and slightly older than her. Denis was a businessman and therefore could provide his young wife with everything she needed. Now she could devote herself entirely to politics, and Margaret Thatcher’s reforms (Great Britain badly needed them at that moment) had been incubating for a long time.

1953 became a “white” period in her life. The Thatcher couple gave birth to twins, and four months after that, Margaret passed the final exam and became a lawyer. She chose the tax field as her specialization in her practice, having studied it thoroughly, which will be very useful for politicians in the future.

To summarize the chapter, it must be said that Denis played a huge role in Margaret’s political growth. It was after the wedding that she could completely devote herself to her favorite activity - politics.

Road to Parliament

At the end of the 1950s, Margaret began to work on parliamentary elections with renewed vigor. The most difficult part was finding a constituency from which to stand as a candidate. She started with but there she became second, which blocked her path to parliament. In another district of the same county the situation was similar. At the same time, a candidate refused to stand for parliament in Finchley. Work has begun! There were 200 applicants for this position. A written competition was held and 22 participants were selected. An oral presentation was then made, after which only 4 candidates remained, including Margaret Thatcher. She was elected as a candidate from the constituency, which meant she was effectively elected to parliament.

In 1959 she entered English parliament- way to big politics was opened. That time was very unfavorable for the Conservatives, difficulties began in the economy, Prime Minister Macmillan fell ill and resigned. And the parliamentary elections of 1964 “seated” the conservatives on the opposition bench. And Margaret herself was appointed shadow minister for housing in the same year.

Party leader

The 70s were difficult for the economy and domestic situation in Great Britain. IN post-war period the country began to move backward in its development and was no longer even included in the top ten leaders, although it had always been at the forefront.

In 1974, the question of choosing the head of the Conservatives was raised. Margaret Thatcher announced her candidacy, becoming a rival to the current leader E. Heath. The elections shocked him: out of 276, 130 votes were cast in favor of Thatcher and only 19 for Heath, after which he withdrew his candidacy. But instead of him, Margaret had new rivals. The most serious of whom was Whitelaw. The second round of elections was held on 02/11/1975, which reflected Thatcher’s undoubted advantage: 146 elected representatives of the people voted for her, while Whitelaw received 79 votes.

That was very hard times For the conservatives, they were defeated twice in parliamentary elections, the number of party members fell sharply, and a party crisis ensued. It was clear: the party needed “new blood.” And Thatcher, like no one else, coped with this difficult mission.

The Iron Lady of British Politics Margaret Thatcher

She first became prime minister in 1979. These were difficult elections: until the very end, no one was sure of the victory of the Conservatives, but the final figures showed that 339 of the 635 seats in parliament were assigned to the Conservatives. Margaret understood that now she would be able to realize the ideas that she had been harboring in her head for more than one year. A new era has begun in Great Britain.

The period of Thatcher's premiership was very tense: an economic and social crisis erupted in the country. The UK industry's share of the world economy has fallen by a quarter since the Second World War. Enterprises suffered losses, the wage. And entrepreneurs were forced to lower the quality of the product they produced in order to reduce the cost. The economic crisis has already begun to develop into a political one, corrupting the country from the inside.

Premier's departure

In 1990, M. Thatcher resigned. A whole era has passed with her. The Iron Lady managed to restore the United Kingdom to its former power and splendor, returning it again to the ranks of the leaders of the world economy and politics. This merit will remain forever in memory English people, and the name Margaret Thatcher is forever etched in the political history of Great Britain. On April 8, 2013, the Iron Lady passed away. Many people wonder: how old is Thatcher? Margaret lived a long life interesting life, having reached the age of 87. The farewell procession was held in the presence of Queen Elizabeth II, members of her family, and politicians of a bygone era.

Margaret Thatcher made history as the first woman to become Prime Minister in Europe. At the same time, she held this position longer than any other politician in the 20th century. For her harsh criticism of the leadership of the Soviet Union and other, far from feminine political steps, the British Prime Minister received the nickname “Iron Lady.”

Childhood and youth of Margaret Thatcher

Margaret was born on October 13, 1925 to Alfred and Beatrice Roberts. My father owned two grocery stores and was active social life. And in 1945 he became mayor of Grantham. Besides Margaret, Roberts family there was another daughter, Muriel.

At school, Margaret was known as a very gifted, and at the same time, sarcastic girl. These qualities earned her the nickname "Maggie Toothpick" from her classmates. In addition to her main classes, Margaret attended piano lessons, field hockey lessons, poetry courses and others. In 1943, Roberts entered Sommerville College, Oxford University, where he studied chemistry. During her studies, she worked on X-ray diffraction analysis of the antibiotic gramicidin S.

The beginning of Margaret Thatcher's political career

Margaret did not study chemistry for long. Soon after receiving her diploma, she plunged headlong into politics and legal activity. Margaret stood in parliamentary elections for Dartford in 1950 and 1951. In both cases, the young politician lost, however, she was able to attract the attention of the press. All this time she was supported by her husband and parents. By the way, the latter helped her become a member of the Bar Association. The first specialization was taxation issues.


Margaret Thatcher continued to fight for a seat in Parliament and in 1959 she managed to win and become a member of the House of Commons from the Conservative Party.

Political views of Margaret Thatcher

Thatcher often took a stand in opposition to the official party position. Thus, she proposed keeping taxes low in order to encourage more diligent work. In addition, she voted for the legalization of abortion and liberation from persecution of sexual minorities.


In addition, Margaret advocated the preservation death penalty and against relaxations in the legislation on the procedure for divorce.

Political activity of Margaret Thatcher in adulthood

In 1970, Margaret Thatcher became Minister of Education and Science. Her very first steps in office caused a storm of criticism and indignation from representatives of the Labor Party. Because of her unpopular measures, Margaret became known as the Milk Thief.

Margaret Thatcher on Russia

In 1975, Miss Thatcher led the Conservative Party. At the next election in 1979, the Conservatives won a landslide victory and Margaret became Prime Minister, the first woman to hold this post in Great Britain.

Premiership of Margaret Thatcher

The main goals of the new Prime Minister in office were the elimination of unemployment and privatization state companies, reducing the influence of trade unions. Initially, Margaret enjoyed enormous popularity among the population. However, financial instability and growing unemployment had a negative impact on Margaret Thatcher's image.


However, this did not prevent her from winning the 1983 elections and entering a second term. During this period, Margaret Thatcher managed to stabilize the economy, and in 1987 she was re-elected for a third term.

At this time, her popularity was rapidly declining, in particular due to disagreements within the party. All this led to Margaret leaving her post in 1990. And in 1992 she left the House of Commons.

Margaret Thatcher and the USSR: biography and political views

Margaret Thatcher received the title of Baroness and a seat in the House of Lords.

Life of Margaret Thatcher after politics

After her “retirement”, Thatcher sat down to write her memoirs. She published two books, however, she did not turn out to be an “exemplary” pensioner. She regularly criticized certain political leaders, as well as NATO, supported the ideas of independence of Croatia and Slovenia.


In 1998, Thatcher came out in support of Chilean leader Augusto Pinochet and personally visited him during his arrest. Margaret was honorary rector of several higher education institutions.

IN last years life Thatcher expressed her doubts about the necessity of existence European Union and even called on Britain to leave the community.

Death of Margaret Thatcher

In 2012, Margaret underwent surgery to remove the tumor. Her health deteriorated and her last stroke was fatal. Margaret Thatcher passed away on April 8, 2013.

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