"The UKers are a disgrace, vicious, petty, and slaves to their ideology."

What would have people do though ake? This whole discussion might prove distasteful to some whose sensibilities are easily offended but hard, robust debate is very much part of the character of the people of these islands (even around our dinner tables and in the pub). Thatcher was lauded as an iconoclast, but then went on to erect her own edifice of myth surrounding herself, and how well it serves her still but there's no justice in condemning the iconoclastic nature of much of what has been written here; it's certainly no less insulting or nasty as some of the tributes paid this afternoon by Thatcher's (almost exculsivley male) sycophants in parliament.

The reaction to Thatchers death has had one really positive result, it proves we are a nation that still cares deeply about politics. For all the hagiographies, hack jobs and heated exchanges what the death of Thatcher has not produced is apathy, and that is heartening. Heck, it will hopefully mean that the ongoing tory beatification of the ex-PM will be checked by some attempt to understand the wider effects of her actions, although I think this is a forlorn hope.