A question I have been asking myself lately and although with trepidation, thought it worth asking as part of this debate. (After all, once you stop smiling at Fred saying how he hates fascism and then threatens MtheGM with violence should they meet, you are minded to move the conversation on a bit.)

What is worse.   A conservative government that is incompetent and has no way of seeing through policies or a socialist government with the drive and determination of Thatcher?

It's just that not liking tory ideology and not being enamoured by Thatcher needs unpicking.   Many right wing people hated her approach but admired her outcomes. Many left wing people hated her outcomes but admired her approach.

I hated her for what she did in my community. My pit is shut my industry gone. Even now, despite the many and varied answers I could give, professionally I say I am an ex miner.

Yet rather than jump on the ding dong wagon, I am far more interested in learning from history. Is it strong leadership we need or be fearful of? Is it her approach, ideals or outcomes we need to reject?