First female Prime Minister of the UK

Longest serving Prime Minister of the UK

She took over a country that was close to being an economic ruin in 1979 (Counter to what MGOH would wish us to believe - Question for you Kevin when before or since did Britain have to go to the IMF for a loan) and managed to completely turn the situation round. She achieved it by the application of leadership and common sense, that many in the country, while not necessarily liking it, did recognise the need for it.

History, I believe will be very kind to her - she will probably be seen as the most effective Prime Minister the UK has ever had.

The policies that were the corner-stones of her government are all still in place today and they have been adopted in other EU countries.