I'm not a politically minded person. I'd prefer to see talented folks running the country and government departments regardless of political doctrine.

Just feel like contributing my own feelings from all those many years ago and the reasons why Thatcherism was born by recounting some historical facts that I lived through.

Don't forget that was long long ago and society was different, culture was different.

Does anyone here remember those 1970's times of the oil-shocks, the stock market crash and huge raging inflation?
I would say we were so very lucky to have had the opportunity of the coming oil revenues then.

Also anyone remember how we went cap in hand to the IMF so we could beg on our knees to secure a 'bail-out' of £2.5bn ?
The then Chancellor of the Exchequer, Denis Healey,(nice bloke I thought) implemented severe public spending cuts and a major strategy of economic austerity.

Thatcher became Prime Minister in 1979.
Already the UK had become a complete economic basket-case. The economic outlook was more than bleak, it was desperate .
Growth did not exist. Inflation was killing the living standards of everyone.
The years of conflict between the unions and the then Labour government eventually led to government chaos and downfall.

The then Labour government was completely helpless as it tried to enforce an incomes policy on the reluctant trade unions, inflation was at record highs.
The oil tanker drivers were striking at will, road haulage disputes with violent and bitter secondary picketing, followed by a strike of the public sector put the whole country into shock. The government had given up. The Unions were discontented and extreme. Between 9 - 10 million days got lost due to industrial action. Even more than the historic general strike of 1926.
I reckon we all remember those public sector strikes. The author Douglas Smith wrote “ the county was virtually paralysed”, he even said there was 'a serious shortage of food and medical supplies.'

As a young man in my twenties I actually lived and worked through all those times. It was darn scary and constantly unstable. Many time I thought I'd lose everthing.

That period from 1974 -1979 was such a disaster. In almost every respect it became a political legend. Seems too many folks forget too easily.

I haven't.!!!!!!

When Harold Wilson resigned in 1976, he knew, the whole country knew, he was leaving a sinking ship.

James Callaghan did his best but still formed a devils-pact with the Liberals, not only to stay in power but also to finally bring the unions under a controlling whip and to also to finally force an incomes policy on them come what may.

Herein lay the roots for the infamous 'Winter of Discontent'. Remember that?

I do!!!!!

All the above are FACTS. Period.

Nothing to do with Thatcher at all.

But try to think back to those times. If you lived through them try to really recall the emotions.

This next rant may not be factual, but just how I saw it at the time.

The unions had originally given birth to the Labour party. Blood is thicker than water when it come to children and there could never be any winners between them. Not even the country itself could win.

I wanted something to happen. The whole country wanted something big to happen.

It did.
The "Winter of Discontent"

Followed by Mrs Thatcher winning the next election. For good or for bad.

That's called history, and I lived through it. What a time I've had.

Just my 2 centavos