shown through her Falkland Islands campaign because she led Britain into the war on ideological principles of British sovereignty and fundamental interest in the disputed area. Whilst her victory was costly, it was a symbol of national pride and British identity all around the world, bringing Thatcher vast amounts of public support which helped her win another election. Hence whilst Margaret Thatcher can be blamed for some deterioration in relations, such as with the Scottish due to the Poll Tax, her overall impact is arguably heroic through her reshaping of the Soviet Union, which made her a hero to millions of repressed Eastern Europeans, alongside her nationalistic heroism in her effort to stand up for and maintain British interests in the Falklands. Perhaps one of the most important aspects of Margaret Thatcher’s heroism that I have so far overlooked was her style of leadership during her three terms in office. Indeed Thatcher’s leadership qualities were perfectly suited to the situation at hand in 1979 because of how difficult and desperate times had become. Inflation was over 20%, the government was operating with a budget deficit, and the economy had become generally inefficient through trade union power, illustrated by the three-day week that was introduced in order to preserve the dwindling amounts of electricity, restricting growth heavily. In came Margaret Thatcher, the first female Prime Minister of the UK, and one that would prove to perhaps be the Leadership.
strongest-minded the country would ever see. Thatcher’s conviction of belief and refusal to back down to her ‘enemies’ was a trademark throughout her time and is a major quality that, in my opinion, makes her a hero because she wasn’t swayed by short-term temptations and firm opposition. Thatcher had a clear vision for Britain and would not divert even an inch from that path, which is a something that, unfortunately, many politicians and leaders of today’s world can be accused of time and time again. However, this is not to say
that Thatcher was the perfect leader. She was not. Shortcomings include perhaps being too rigid in her policy, shown by her refusal to aid the structurally unemployed, her imposition of the Poll Tax, and her ultimate removal by her own party. Nevertheless, I firmly believe that her bold and unwavering leadership was heroic in its transformational long-term effect on Britain in providing stability and strength to a country that was shaking at its foundations when Thatcher came to power in 1979. Overall, I believe the reasons for Margaret Thatcher’s case as a hero can be summarised by three key words: vision, change, and strength. Thatcher came into office with a vision of long-term prosperity, even if it meant short-term distress, she initiated the much-needed change to fulfill this vision through economic policy, and perhaps most importantly, she had the self-belief and strength to maintain her polices and face off against opposition that thought otherwise. Whilst the legacy that Margaret Thatcher has left behind will be controversially debated for generations to come, I think the immense improvements that she thrust upon this nation far outweigh her shortcomings because of the long-lasting and widespread benefit that her leadership had in transforming an inefficient near socialist society in 1979, to the productive and wealthy capitalist-based society we live in today. And I would argue that what allowed Thatcher to be so instrumental in this change was her character, because after all, “The lady’s not for turning”. Darshan Chohan
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