SOG,

From my research (limited though it might be) I can find no indication that Thatcher promised not to raise VAT. In fact the only reference to her election promises was that she avoided making any specific promises, instead running on Labour's obvious incompetence and inability to control the unions. (sound familiar) Actually Thatcher's word could be counted on.

Gillard's word is by comparison not worth the paper it is printed on, and will be kept only if it is convenient at the time.

Constance,

Another piece of rewriting history in order to sustain your rage.

<< The ARA General Belgrano was an Argentine Navy cruiser which was controversially sunk by a British submarine during the 1982 Falklands War as she sailed away from the conflict zone. 323 people died, mainly young sea cadets>>

The General Belgrano left a northern port after re-supplying and was shadowed by HMS Conqueror, a nuclear powered Trafalgar Class fleet submarine. The General Belgrano entered a southern port to board 600 “Primeros”, Argentinean Special Forces Troops and definitely not cadets.

Immediately on the exit of the General Belgrano from port with a three destroyer escorts, Conqueror launched a remote wire operated torpedo, nicknamed the Umbilical Torpedo; otherwise know by its then code name, the “Tiger fish”.

The Tiger Fish was held on station under the Belgrano until just before she was sunk some days later.

The General Belgrano was warned by British Admiralty and by Conqueror on numerous occasions that if she continued to proceed on her current course and heading she would be sunk. The British Admiralty acquired from the Americans, the design and hull specifications of the General Belgrano (she was formally and American Light Cruiser USS Phoenix).

After final instructions to alter course, the decision was made to withdraw the Tiger Fish which would have broken her back and sunk her very quickly, and to sink her with Type 34 WWII torpedo’s fore and aft in order to cripple her and sink her slowly to save the ships compliment and the Primeros Marines.

Having a normal ships compliment of approximately 600 officers and crew plus the added Primeros the extra time was needed for the escorts to evacuate the ship. On advice that the Belgrano attack was imminent, the Argentinean escorts abandoned the Belgrano and lost contact with her.

It was the British and Americans that provided the Argentinean Navy with the location.

It is sickening that you should promote Argentinean propaganda and to ignore military history to make your salacious case against anyone you like. You are a sick little puppy

Dear Spindoc,

If all was above board why did the Admiralty feel the need to 'disappear' HMS Conqueror's log book?

http://hansard.millbanksystems.com/commons/1984/nov/07/hms-conqueror-log-book

I've just finished reading an article in the UK's
the Guardian newspaper. Margaret Thatcher's overall
assessment taken from a poll on the afternoon of
her death shows that half of all respondents (i.e.
50%) look back on her overall contribution as positive.
This is 16 points more than the 34% who say that she
was bad for the country.

Also 62% believe that her example played an important
part in changing attitudes about the role in society
that women can play.

Therefore the overall reaction in the UK is a positive one.
Which is only fitting concerning the longest serving
PM than any Briton of the 1900s - and the first woman to
hold that post.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2013/apr/09/thatcher-flagship-policies-guardian-icm-poll

Yes, Lexi, it's interesting.

But aside from the plaudits for "longest serving this" and "first female that"....or that some of us are focusing on her policies and legacies above and beyond her worldly demise - and being admonished for it.

I tend to agree with these wise words.

http://forum.onlineopinion.com.au/thread.asp?discussion=5710&page=0#159287

I'm not one to tease out "the good bits" in an era of odium....albeit it is the template for whatever we've got - and whatever may come (perhaps).

An interesting and unavoidable fact.
Those demanding respect for the old bird, will not give it at the death of so very many from my side of politics.
Old Thatcher was and remains the best reason we should become a republic.
A woman born, at best of the middle class she wanted to be upper class.
And while achieving much she also sent tradesmen away from their home country to find work.
While unskilled imported non trades took their job.
Her own party turned on her after she tried to tax the very poor.
A Tory of the worst kind had she the power I have no doubt she would have broken the back of every working class aid.
I will open a bottle of white tonight to say good by and good riddance.