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  1. Politics
22 November 2010

Margaret Thatcher’s resignation: five views

Roy Hattersley, Oona King, John Sergeant, Geoffrey Howe, and Laurie Penny share their thoughts.

By Samira Shackle

Twenty years ago today, Margaret Thatcher announced that she would resign as prime minister and as leader of the Conservative Party. This is how the BBC reported it at the time:

In honour of this, the New Statesman‘s Thatcher special last week asked for memories, analysis, and opinion from commentators and figures close to Thatcher at the time. In case you missed it, here’s a recap:

1.Maggie Thatcher’s long goodbye

Roy Hattersley analyses Thatcher’s legacy — which Tony Blair soon picked up.

Select and enter your email address Your weekly guide to the best writing on ideas, politics, books and culture every Saturday. The best way to sign up for The Saturday Read is via saturdayread.substack.com The New Statesman's quick and essential guide to the news and politics of the day. The best way to sign up for Morning Call is via morningcall.substack.com Our Thursday ideas newsletter, delving into philosophy, criticism, and intellectual history. The best way to sign up for The Salvo is via thesalvo.substack.com Stay up to date with NS events, subscription offers & updates. Weekly analysis of the shift to a new economy from the New Statesman's Spotlight on Policy team. The best way to sign up for The Green Transition is via spotlightonpolicy.substack.com
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2. When the lady lost her bearings

John Sergeant, then of the BBC, recalls how the Iron Lady’s resignation was the making of him. Her chancellor Geoffrey Howe also shares his thoughts, as does Oona King, before her own life in politics.

3. What Maggie means to my generation

Laurie Penny considers what Thatcher means to the younger generation.

4. What if . . . Thatcher had stayed on

And finally, Dominic Sandbrook speculates on what might have been if she’d clung on for another term.

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Select and enter your email address Your weekly guide to the best writing on ideas, politics, books and culture every Saturday. The best way to sign up for The Saturday Read is via saturdayread.substack.com The New Statesman's quick and essential guide to the news and politics of the day. The best way to sign up for Morning Call is via morningcall.substack.com Our Thursday ideas newsletter, delving into philosophy, criticism, and intellectual history. The best way to sign up for The Salvo is via thesalvo.substack.com Stay up to date with NS events, subscription offers & updates. Weekly analysis of the shift to a new economy from the New Statesman's Spotlight on Policy team. The best way to sign up for The Green Transition is via spotlightonpolicy.substack.com
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  • Facility / Grounds Management and Maintenance
  • Finance Management
  • Health - Medical and Nursing Management
  • HR, Training and Organisational Development
  • Information and Communications Technology
  • Information Services, Statistics, Records, Archives
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  • Legal Officers and Practitioners
  • Librarians and Library Management
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Visit our privacy Policy for more information about our services, how New Statesman Media Group may use, process and share your personal data, including information on your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications.
THANK YOU