Thatcher: 50 Years On

Fifty years ago this week, Mrs Thatcher, a former Education Secretary, was elected leader of the Conservative Party. She became Britain’s (and one of Europe’s) first female Head of Government; only two more women have subsequently held this post, and both from her own party. Although she continues to be a divisive figure, with people loathing or loving her (while increasing numbers of people who never lived under her rule feeling rather more ambivalent), her relatively modest background and gender are still token to her determination and perseverance to overcome the paternalistic, class-based elitism which characterised British high office, and the Tory Party.

Righty or wrongly, 'Marmite' Thatcher is said to have terminated the so-called ‘consensus politics’, referring to the apparently widespread post-war agreement between parties on key political issues, such as nationalisation and the welfare state. By creating ‘clear blue’ water between herself and Labour, she offered the voters a real choice back in 1979, 1983 and 1987.

On moral issues, especially regarding definitions of marriage, sexual identity, abortion, and perhaps even euthanasia in the months and years to come, there is a stony consensus among our main political parties. Those who stand for Biblical truth decreasingly have a parliamentary voice to represent their views. Yet has not ‘the crowd’ always been opposed to God’s will, the majority usually opposed to scriptural truth? The Christian opposes the cosy consensus of opposition to God which characterises the human race. We shall increasingly be called to make a stand for what we believe, and this will prove costly to our wallets, our reputations, our freedom and, for many around the world, our lives.

Lady Thatcher no longer reigns over the Conservative Party nor operates the government of the nation, but she is still talked about. May we make a stand for truth and righteousness, so that, in those millennia and aeons after our departure from this world, we are still worthy of heavenly approval and angelic wonder.

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Romans 12:2, NKJV

Image by WikiImages from Pixabay