Interesting how Richard accuses people of having short memories whilst failing to recall what led up to the election of Margarete Thatcher.
The trade union anarchy that was coming close to destroying this country.
The "untouchable" industries of ship building and steel that refused to modernise in the face of foreign competition, soaking up massive subsidies in the process, yet still walked out on strike at the slightest pretext.
The howling savagery of the Grunwick picket line where rent-a-mob activists, using a union recognition dispute concerning a minority of workers from the firm, tried to prevent the rest of the workforce from exercising their right to go to work without intimidation or threats.
The workers who, under the foul abomination of "The Closed Shop" were forced into joining a union as a condition of being allowed to work.
The trade union leaders who were more than happy to declare solidarity with the Workers' Paradises of the USSR and China.

For too long the British Worker has been fooled into believing that the clique of middle and upperclass "Hampstead Thinkers" that constituted the upper heirarchy of the Labour Party actually had their best interests at heart.

I agree Maggie was a long way from being perfect and that she did make mistakes, but most of her actions were necessary.
The reason why they were as painfull as they were is entirely due to the cowardice of previous governments in failing to get to grips with the problems earlier.