317 forever
Established Member
Furthermore, for all the claims made by the likes of Tony Benn about Thatcher clobbering the unions, in a way she gave trade union members more power. She did not ban strikes (except at GCHQ) but gave members the power to choose between voting to strike or to continuing to work and negotiate a settlement with their employers.Thatcher's rise to power was a case of good timing and the fact the British Public wanted change.
It's a touchy subject but some of the changes brought in such as banning secondary action and ballots as well as a notice period in my mind were a good thing in the long run. Scargill's own arrogance was what caused the miner's strikers to end so badly for him.
The strike ballots etc mean that even when we are inconvenienced by strikes, we know it is the members' choice and not an imposition by union leaders.
I found Grantham town centre good for takeaways (and Wetherspoon) on my visit in September 2022. Certainly better than another nearby rail interchange Sleaford.For those who don't understand a dictator / dictatorship can take many forms, not just the so called classical methods, Thatcher was as much a dictator as were others.
She purged her Cabinet of "wets", or moderates to be more precise, and coined her immoral / immortal phrase " is he one of us ?" when confronted with prospective candidates for Gov't related positions.
The "Spitting Image " sketch involving her ordering steak and being asked what about the vegetables ?...summarised her perfectly.
Although on the subject of other dictators, she extended her open arms and hospitality to another...a certain Gen Pinochet
Assuming LNER are actually running trains, how many of you have felt inclined to make a pilgrimage to Grantham and worship at her statue / shrine.
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