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'''Margaret Hilda Thatcher''', now Baroness Thatcher of Kesteven (born October 13, 1925), was the [[Prime Minister of the United Kingdom]] from 1979 to 1990. She was the longest-serving Prime Minister for over 150 years, and is widely regarded as being, together with Sir [[Winston Churchill]], one of the most important British leaders of the twentieth century, and arguably also one of the greatest.

'''Margaret Hilda Thatcher''', now Baroness Thatcher of Kesteven (born October 13, 1925), was the [[Prime Minister of the United Kingdom]] from 1979 to 1990. She was the longest-serving Prime Minister for over 150 years, and is widely regarded as being, together with Sir [[Winston Churchill]], one of the most important British leaders of the twentieth century, and arguably also one of the greatest.

Lady Thatcher's policies challenged the [[liberal]] consensus that had dominated British politics since the end of the [[Second World War]] (sometimes known as the "post-war consensus" or as "Butskellism"). She was strongly opposed to socialism and to the extensive powers wielded by the trade [[union]]s, who had been instrumental in bringing down the previous Conservative government in 1974. While in power, she dramatically cut taxes, returned many nationalised industries to private ownership, and restricted the powers of the unions (most notably in the coal industry, where she faced down a national strike in 1985-1986). The result was that the weakened British economy underwent a considerable revival, though unemployment was high at times and there was significant social upheaval. For these reasons, Lady Thatcher remains a highly divisive figure in the UK, arousing strong emotions both for and against the political ideology that she espoused.

Lady Thatcher's policies challenged the [[liberal]] consensus that had dominated British politics since the end of the [[Second World War]] (sometimes known as the "post-war consensus" or as "Butskellism"). She was strongly opposed to socialism and to the extensive powers wielded by the trade [[union]]s, who had been instrumental in bringing down the previous Conservative government in 1974. While in power, she dramatically cut taxes, returned many nationalised industries to private ownership, and restricted the powers of the unions (most notably in the coal industry, where she faced down a national strike in 1985-1986). The result was that the weakened British economy underwent a considerable revival, though unemployment was high at times and there was significant social upheaval. For these reasons, Lady Thatcher remains a highly polarising figure in the UK, arousing strong emotions both for and against the political ideology that she espoused.

Lady Thatcher was renowned for her tenacious and principled leadership style. She famously told her party conference that "The lady's not for turning". When the Soviet press dubbed her "The Iron Lady", her political ally Enoch Powell turned the intended insult into a badge of honour.

Lady Thatcher was renowned for her tenacious and principled leadership style. She famously told her party conference that "The lady's not for turning". When the Soviet press dubbed her "The Iron Lady", her political ally Enoch Powell turned the intended insult into a badge of honour.