Why did Thatcher say that she was not a feminist?

Memories: We remember that Thatcherism forgot Mrs. Thatcher.

Ye Li

On May 4th, 2008, Margaret Thatcher led the Conservative Party to win the general election. Standing on the steps of Downing Street 10, she said a famous sentence to her supporters: "We bring harmony in chaos, truth in mistakes, trust in doubts and hope in setbacks."

This high-spirited "Iron Lady" may not have thought that when Britain commemorated the 25th anniversary of Thatcher's reign in May 2008, the British newspaper The Guardian wrote sarcastically when recalling that historical moment: "Even her staunchest supporter may find it difficult to cite an example to prove the" harmony "brought to us by her reign 1 1 year.

Although Blair announced on 165438+, the anniversary of Thatcher's stepping down 10,1October 22nd that "the Thatcher era is over". But at the same time, he had to admit: "We are in a new era today ... but we must deal with the problems left over from the past." Today, many British people still feel that their lives are closely related to this old woman who has lived in seclusion all the year round-she still affects the country.

"She went to England."

"Blair's New Labour Party and Thatcher's legacy-good and bad-have shaped Britain today." A British media wrote, "Although Thatcher has been in power for only 1 1 year, her influence will last for decades." Classifying Thatcher's legacy as a negative factor in Britain's development stems from her conservative economic thought, which is also Thatcher's most controversial policy. Before Thatcher came to power, under the leadership of Labour Party Callahan, many parts of Britain were constantly paralyzed.

Twenty-five years ago, when the "Iron Lady" faced such a Britain, her prescription was to limit the strength of trade unions and implement privatization. After that, the British economy did improve, but in the words of British newspaper writer john ray Tu, "in those years, the gap between the rich and the poor in Britain increased sharply. Some people's lives have indeed been greatly improved, but British society has paid a great price for this, the crime rate has risen, and the community has broken down and divided. "

Thatcher brought not only British society, but also British ideas. When she 10 left Downing Street, her tears caused an uproar among the British people: supporters thought that she had led Britain out of economic difficulties and improved Britain's international status; Opponents believe that she is an out-and-out campaigner and megalomaniac, which almost ruined the British welfare system. Actor and social activist Ricky Tomlinson still remembers that moment. "This is one of the happiest moments of my life."

More than ten years later, Thatcher's image among ordinary people still exists. In 2006, she was ranked16 in the BBC's "The Greatest Englishman"-ahead of her were Churchill, Diana and Shakespeare.

Just one year later, Channel 4 of British TV conducted a survey of "the worst Englishman you hate the most". The condition for participating in the election is that "he is currently alive and has nothing to do with people who are in prison or prosecuted". Mrs Thatcher is honored to explore flowers-ahead of her are current Prime Minister Blair and actress Jordan, who is famous for her big breasts. Until now, many people still remember this "judgment"-"She failed the British".

"Can men also be prime ministers?"

The British love and hate Thatcher, but most people in other countries in the world respect Thatcher very much. Especially in the hearts of women in many countries, Thatcher was the most outstanding woman in the 20th century. She proved that women can not only do what men do, but also accomplish what men can't. Everyone remembers Thatcher as a professional suit. Her daughter once recalled that her mother had no casual clothes at all because she was never "idle".

When Margaret Thatcher was in power, there was a popular joke in Britain: a girl asked a boy, "What do you want to be when you grow up?" The boy said, "Be Prime Minister." The girl was surprised: "Men can also be prime ministers?"

Thatcher's own point of view is "if you want to say something, find a man;" If you want to achieve it, find a woman. "She is the female prime minister first, and then the prime minister. Many media like to use a photo of Thatcher cooking breakfast for her husband to prove that a strong woman must also take care of her family. But in fact, Thatcher has always been a feminist. In college, young Margaret (then Margaret Robert) wrote: "If Queen Elizabeth's accession to the throne can really eliminate the last prejudice against aspiring women to the highest power, then a new era of women's liberation will really come. "When she was elected Prime Minister, she was very nervous when she met the Queen of England." I know that if I can't be a good female prime minister, there will be no other female prime ministers in Britain. "

However, conservative British people don't like a woman giving orders on the stage. Women are always stronger than men. At that time, she was criticized for ignoring the situation of unemployed workers. "As a woman, you should have compassion", and Thatcher's husband Dennis responded that "the word sympathy never appeared in her dictionary". Up to now, when Britain discusses Thatcher's merits and demerits, there are still people who praise her openly and secretly call her "something is nothing, something is something." As a female leader, I still admire it. When Margaret Thatcher finally gave in on the Hong Kong issue, some even said that "compared with Deng, she was just a woman".

Columnist Paddy Shennan wrote in commemoration of the 25th anniversary of Thatcher's administration: "Twenty-five years ago, she was the most powerful woman in Britain. Now, this honor belongs to Anne Robinson, who is also known as the' devil' (a famous British TV presenter, famous for her black dress and cold expression). "

Just a concept.

Although at the beginning of May, almost all the British media heated up Thatcher's name again, their focus was on Thatcherism, Thatcher era, Thatcher economy and baby Thatcher .../kloc-what happened to the old woman who left Downing Street in tears four years ago is no longer a topic of public discussion.

Since the death of her husband Dennis at the end of last year, Thatcher, who has been terminally ill, has hardly appeared in public. Since last year, many people who had access to her claimed that Thatcher had completely lost her former "Iron Lady" demeanor. Linda McDougall, an old friend who has been friends with Mrs. Thatcher for 30 years, wrote on Sunday that she was "shocked" by the change of Mrs. Thatcher: "I have admired her self-confidence for so many years, but now, what I see from her is fear and anxiety. She felt these changes herself, and she was afraid because she wanted to stop them but could do nothing. "

Thatcher's daughter Carol once said that when she was old, her mother often looked confused, always asking her father the same question over and over again, and always chattering.

Linda wrote sadly that the day she visited last year was only three days away from Mrs. Thatcher's 77th birthday, but the strongman who used to make many friends only received four birthday cards. The lonely old man carefully put these poor birthday cards on the mantelpiece, although she had expected to receive at least dozens.

Linda finally wrote: "Margaret Thatcher's name appears on newspapers and TV screens almost every day, but the owner of this name is rarely concerned." People just use it to refer to Thatcherism or the historical period named after her ... Although Margaret Thatcher is regarded as a public idol, the real Margaret Thatcher has long been forgotten. "

Margaret margaret hilda thatcher (commonly known as Margaret Thatcher) was born in Grantham, Lincolnshire, England on June+10/October 65438+March. In, she entered Somerville Women's College of Oxford University to study chemistry. He joined the Conservative Party in college and served as the chairman of the Conservative Party Association of Oxford University.

From 2000 to 2002, she worked as a chemistry researcher in two chemistry departments and studied law in her spare time. In 2000, Lincoln Bar Association approved her to become a lawyer.

Margaret Thatcher was elected as a Conservative MP in 1980. He used to be the deputy minister of government pension and national insurance. Speaker of the Conservative Party in the House of Commons. Minister of education and science. In February 2008, he was elected as the leader of the Conservative Party. 1996 In May, the Conservative Party won the general election, and Margaret Thatcher became the first female prime minister in British history. In June 2008 and June 2008, he was re-elected as Prime Minister. Resigned as Prime Minister in June 165438+ 10. In June 2008, he was awarded the title of lifelong aristocrat. In May 2006, he was appointed as the 2 nd1Honorary Dean of William and Mary College. On October 3rd, 65438/kloc-0, Margaret Thatcher celebrated her 80th birthday. Many people, whether friends for many years or former political enemies, specially sent birthday wishes and spoke highly of her. The Queen of England and Prime Minister Blair attended her birthday celebration.