1. Margaret
Thatcher
1979~1990

2. Margaret Thatcher
She was to become famous for her strong willed and determined policies, successes in the Falklands, her fight with Bob Geldof, and escaping a Bomb scare.
When Thatcher formed her Government in May 1979 she faced an economy in decline and significant unemployment.
She was to be in office for over a decade and contribute to a time of great change.

3. Thatcher’s Economic Policies Dealing With Economic Decline
Increased interest rates
VAT rose to 15%
Inflation Increased
The Lady’s not for turning
The inflation rate dropped to single figures,interest rates fall
Economy much stronger
This system became copied widely.
Unemployment exceeds two million
Severe Recession in 1980s

4. Approach to important events
When IRA prisoners went on Hunger Strike to regain their status as political prisoners, Thatcher refused saying a crime was a crime but changed her mind after nine starved themselves to death.
After Argentine forces invaded the Faulkland Islands, her decision to send a naval force to sink the ship won her mass support and contributed to the 1983 landslide election victory
Thatcher was tough during the Miners strike and after a year the miners went back to work

5. Public Opinion
Thatcher’s popularity changed and developed throughout her period in office.Although her decisions in the Faulklands gained her popularity, the polling tax was disliked.
Oxford refused to give her an honorary degree because of her cuts in funding for education.
Her ‘Right to buy’ policy allowing council house residents to buy their homes at a reduced price increased her support in working class areas but contributed to a housing shortage.
In 1984 she escaped injury from a bomb planted by the Provisional IRA during a conference. It killed five people. A key Cabinet member was injured and his wife paralysed.

6. Addressed the problems of global Warming, Ozone Depletion and acid rain
Reduce the power of Trade Unions
Good Relations with China
Free markets and entrepreneurialism
Key
Policies
Privatisation of nationalised industry
Organised a budget rebate from the European Economic Community. “We want our money back”
Philosophical soul mate with Ronald Reagan
Limit the Economic Community to just dealing with free trade and competition