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| What Thatcher's funeral says about Britain today | What Thatcher's funeral says about Britain today |
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| Given Thatcher's fondness for what she regarded as "Victorian values", it is not surprising that the press is full of alleged historical parallels. When Conor Burns declares that "she was a laissez-faire, Gladstonian liberal, in the proudest traditions of the Gladstonian Liberal party" (Old political wounds reopened and kindnesses remembered, 11 April), he is widely echoed by both left and right. There is a grain of truth in the comparison. The argument is that she rolled back the frontiers of the state in a way which was consistent with Gladstone's vision and achievements in office, particularly between 1853 and 1885, when he managed to reduce central government costs despite a considerable growth in the UK population and wealth. | Given Thatcher's fondness for what she regarded as "Victorian values", it is not surprising that the press is full of alleged historical parallels. When Conor Burns declares that "she was a laissez-faire, Gladstonian liberal, in the proudest traditions of the Gladstonian Liberal party" (Old political wounds reopened and kindnesses remembered, 11 April), he is widely echoed by both left and right. There is a grain of truth in the comparison. The argument is that she rolled back the frontiers of the state in a way which was consistent with Gladstone's vision and achievements in office, particularly between 1853 and 1885, when he managed to reduce central government costs despite a considerable growth in the UK population and wealth. |
| However, the aims and policies of these two leaders diverged radically. Gladstone cut military expenditure, which Thatcher expanded by 50%. The contraction of the state over which he presided was more than compensated by the growth of local-authority functions and related costs – both of which he encouraged. By contrast, Thatcher demonised local government and undermined its autonomy. It was Gladstonian legislation which conferred on trade unions the privileged status Thatcher demolished from 1981. Last but not least, he fostered the rise of a professional, "public-sector" ethos in administration, government and education, in contrast to the Thatcherite idea that market values and mechanisms provide universally applicable criteria for rational choice. Eugenio F Biagini Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge | However, the aims and policies of these two leaders diverged radically. Gladstone cut military expenditure, which Thatcher expanded by 50%. The contraction of the state over which he presided was more than compensated by the growth of local-authority functions and related costs – both of which he encouraged. By contrast, Thatcher demonised local government and undermined its autonomy. It was Gladstonian legislation which conferred on trade unions the privileged status Thatcher demolished from 1981. Last but not least, he fostered the rise of a professional, "public-sector" ethos in administration, government and education, in contrast to the Thatcherite idea that market values and mechanisms provide universally applicable criteria for rational choice. Eugenio F Biagini Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge |
| • According a "ceremonial" funeral to Margaret Thatcher is evidence, if evidence were needed, that the neoliberal capitalist ideology that she forced upon Britain has now been accepted as the official ideology of the British state. The message it sends so clearly is that neoliberal capitalism transcends politics: it is the natural and "correct" state of affairs. This is the case everywhere: institutions such as the World Bank and the IMF enforce their neoliberal "reform" agenda as the price for financial help without question or challenge. | • According a "ceremonial" funeral to Margaret Thatcher is evidence, if evidence were needed, that the neoliberal capitalist ideology that she forced upon Britain has now been accepted as the official ideology of the British state. The message it sends so clearly is that neoliberal capitalism transcends politics: it is the natural and "correct" state of affairs. This is the case everywhere: institutions such as the World Bank and the IMF enforce their neoliberal "reform" agenda as the price for financial help without question or challenge. |
| In their deification of Thatcher, Tony Blair and David Cameron have finally torn away the mask that maintained the pretence that the state is a democratic institution over which different interests compete. No less than Marxism in the old communist countries, neoliberal capitalism is the box outside which we are no longer permitted to think. Its official apotheosis will take place as its chief ideologue is paraded triumphantly through the capital on Wednesday, when the values of justice and fairness will finally be buried with her. Professor Nicholas Till University of Sussex | In their deification of Thatcher, Tony Blair and David Cameron have finally torn away the mask that maintained the pretence that the state is a democratic institution over which different interests compete. No less than Marxism in the old communist countries, neoliberal capitalism is the box outside which we are no longer permitted to think. Its official apotheosis will take place as its chief ideologue is paraded triumphantly through the capital on Wednesday, when the values of justice and fairness will finally be buried with her. Professor Nicholas Till University of Sussex |
| • Those of us who teach modern British politics, history or constitutional law have good reason to thank Margaret Thatcher. Her conviction politics spawned a generation of students who were genuinely interested in and engaged with political questions. How fitting, then, that her death has handed us another gift. The ludicrously undemocratic decision to accord her a state funeral in all but name underlines the continuing truth of Lord Hailsham's remark in the 1970s that the UK is governed by an "elective dictatorship". It should provide ample fodder for classroom discussion for years to come. Professor Keith Syrett Cardiff University | • Those of us who teach modern British politics, history or constitutional law have good reason to thank Margaret Thatcher. Her conviction politics spawned a generation of students who were genuinely interested in and engaged with political questions. How fitting, then, that her death has handed us another gift. The ludicrously undemocratic decision to accord her a state funeral in all but name underlines the continuing truth of Lord Hailsham's remark in the 1970s that the UK is governed by an "elective dictatorship". It should provide ample fodder for classroom discussion for years to come. Professor Keith Syrett Cardiff University |
| • It was a little reassuring to read Nigel Willmott's optimistic assessment of the post-Thatcher era (Comment, 13 April) but I suspect the problem is much greater than he suggests. I well recall the joy in my south Wales valley that greeted the Labour victory of '45. But during my lifetime I have seen a profound cultural change from the social welfarism of that period – which some of us still regard as one of the great achievements of western civilisation – to the selfish individualism of Victorian neoliberalism embraced today. Just consider the sacrifice and effort it took of several generations to reject those values originally. I am afeard! Ron Bente Emsworth, Hampshire | • It was a little reassuring to read Nigel Willmott's optimistic assessment of the post-Thatcher era (Comment, 13 April) but I suspect the problem is much greater than he suggests. I well recall the joy in my south Wales valley that greeted the Labour victory of '45. But during my lifetime I have seen a profound cultural change from the social welfarism of that period – which some of us still regard as one of the great achievements of western civilisation – to the selfish individualism of Victorian neoliberalism embraced today. Just consider the sacrifice and effort it took of several generations to reject those values originally. I am afeard! Ron Bente Emsworth, Hampshire |
| • If only Posy Simmonds' Grantham fairytale (King Ironsides, 13 April) was just that. Alas the serfs who revolted were not outline drawings, but real men and women living in the kind of real communities about which Tamara Drewe's real-life counterparts have no comprehension; less still a desire to understand. There has been a great deal of ink spilt since the demise of Thatcher, but with one or two notable exceptions very little has captured the depth of feeling among the vanquished because our voices have been drowned out by the harrumphings of Thatcher's disciples and admirers. | • If only Posy Simmonds' Grantham fairytale (King Ironsides, 13 April) was just that. Alas the serfs who revolted were not outline drawings, but real men and women living in the kind of real communities about which Tamara Drewe's real-life counterparts have no comprehension; less still a desire to understand. There has been a great deal of ink spilt since the demise of Thatcher, but with one or two notable exceptions very little has captured the depth of feeling among the vanquished because our voices have been drowned out by the harrumphings of Thatcher's disciples and admirers. |
| I write as the widow of a coalminer, and as I reflect on the appeals to respond to Thatcher's death with respect and dignity, I have two questions: how much respect did Thatcher show to decent working people asking nothing more than to continue selling their labour, when she labelled us the "enemy within"; and how much dignity did men like my husband have when they were left to rot on the dole after her work was done? | I write as the widow of a coalminer, and as I reflect on the appeals to respond to Thatcher's death with respect and dignity, I have two questions: how much respect did Thatcher show to decent working people asking nothing more than to continue selling their labour, when she labelled us the "enemy within"; and how much dignity did men like my husband have when they were left to rot on the dole after her work was done? |
| And on Wednesday we will have the ultimate indignity wrapped up in the ultimate irony as we are forced, as taxpayers, to contribute to the most indulgent and unjustified of state send-offs, for a woman who despised the state. Meantime our children look for work. Emma Wallis Rotherham, South Yorkshire | And on Wednesday we will have the ultimate indignity wrapped up in the ultimate irony as we are forced, as taxpayers, to contribute to the most indulgent and unjustified of state send-offs, for a woman who despised the state. Meantime our children look for work. Emma Wallis Rotherham, South Yorkshire |
| • On 17 February 1988, a 41-year-old man drove up to the gates of Downing Street and killed himself by setting himself and his car on fire. Derek Bainbridge was one of Thatcher's one in 10, a victim of the dole queue that led him to depression and ultimately suicide. At the time the main concern of the government was that Mrs Thatcher was in "not in any danger"; there seemed little sympathy for Bainbridge or the reasons behind his death. This tragedy was remembered by the New Zealand musician Tim Finn. On his eponymous album is the song Suicide on Downing Street, on which Tim sings: "Derek Bainbridge did not die in vain / And I will sing his sad luck story / Desperation is a warning flame / Now we stand or fall with Derek Bainbridge." | • On 17 February 1988, a 41-year-old man drove up to the gates of Downing Street and killed himself by setting himself and his car on fire. Derek Bainbridge was one of Thatcher's one in 10, a victim of the dole queue that led him to depression and ultimately suicide. At the time the main concern of the government was that Mrs Thatcher was in "not in any danger"; there seemed little sympathy for Bainbridge or the reasons behind his death. This tragedy was remembered by the New Zealand musician Tim Finn. On his eponymous album is the song Suicide on Downing Street, on which Tim sings: "Derek Bainbridge did not die in vain / And I will sing his sad luck story / Desperation is a warning flame / Now we stand or fall with Derek Bainbridge." |
| Maybe those people buying Ding Dong! The Witch Is Dead should take a minute to remember one of the real victims of Thatcherism. Bonnie Gooch Wantage, Oxfordshire | Maybe those people buying Ding Dong! The Witch Is Dead should take a minute to remember one of the real victims of Thatcherism. Bonnie Gooch Wantage, Oxfordshire |
| • This column was amended on 17 April 2013 to clarify the identity of the author of the last letter: the name was changed from "B Gooch" to "Bonnie Gooch". | • This column was amended on 17 April 2013 to clarify the identity of the author of the last letter: the name was changed from "B Gooch" to "Bonnie Gooch". |
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