Episode #5: Margaret Thatcher, Part 1 (Show Notes)

Ding-dong! The Witch is Dead! It’s testimony to Margaret Thatcher’s questionable legacy that after she died, some opponents started a campaign to get this famous tune from “The Wizard of Oz” to #1 on the charts in her memory. But who was the person behind the evil, handbag-wielding caricature?

Born in Grantham, England, Margaret was taught early that she’d only achieve success by working hard and staying true to your convictions. Earning a scholarship to the Kesteven and Grantham Girls' School, and later a place at Somerville College, Oxford Margaret’s education reaffirmed her desire to enter politics.
Post-graduation, after a short detour as a chemist, Margaret began searching for a constituency. After her marriage to businessman Denis Thatcher, she was elected parliamentary representative for the Conservative Finchley. Her party moved in and out of government, but when members grew disillusioned with leader Edward Heath, Margaret became head of the Conservative party in opposition. 

When the Labour party lost the general election after botching negotiations with trade unionists, and embarrassing “U-turn” in economic policy, Margaret became Britain’s first woman Prime Minister. Though she presided over sky-high unemployment, record bankruptcies, and riots, her masterful handling of the Falklands War, saved her handbag and reprieved the Conservative government. But, her next eight years as Prime clinched her legacy as one of the 20th century’s most controversial political figures.

So, how’d Margaret rise from grocer’s daughter to Iron Lady? Check-out these History Bitch approved biographies to get the scoop on Mother Maggie: