Whatever her other strengths and weaknesses, Thatcher has tarnished her own reputation with her petulant refusal to let go the reins. The more so, because she had been on the receiving end of similar crass behaviour from her own predecessor as Conservative leader, Ted Heath.

Nothwithstanding the example of Heath and Thatcher, it is not compulsory for Tories to behave like this. Witness William Hague and John Major, two thoroughly decent geezers, both of whom managed to hand over with dignity.

For Labour leaders, this seems to come naturally, as evidenced by Wilson, Callaghan and Kinnock. Which is strange, because I was brought up among Tories who believed that such qualities were a matter of breeding.

Cllr, your pathetic impressionability continues to amaze. (Splendid post on that theme, Chip.)