Thatcher 30 Years On

Exactly 30 years ago today, on 28th November 1990, John Major became Prime Minister. In doing so he brought to an end the premiership of Margaret Thatcher, one of the most consequential political figures in modern British political history.  But what do the polling figures tell us about her time in office?

Polling by Ipsos Mori in November 1990 found that as she left office, 52% of people felt that her time as Prime Minister had been good for the country, with 40% saying it had been bad.

Asked about her personally Ipsos found that at the same time 52% disliked Thatcher and her policies, 8% disliked her but liked her policies, 19% liked Thatcher but not her policies and 20% liked both Thatcher and her policies.

Ipsos goes on also to note:

“On average during Mrs Thatcher’s premiership, 40% of the public were satisfied with the way she was doing her job while 54% were dissatisfied. But at the peak of her popularity (in June 1982, after the recapture of the Falklands), 59% were satisfied with her performance, while her rating fell as low as 20% satisfied (in March 1990, the month in which there were riots in London against the introduction of the “poll tax”).”

Last year, to mark 40 years since she entered Downing Street, YouGov published polling which suggested that the public felt Thatcher had been the greatest Prime Minister since 1945. 21% of respondents said that about her, followed by the 19% who opted for Winston Churchill who came in second place.

YouGov goes on to observe:

“Asked which qualities Britons feel Thatcher possessed, the most common answers are that she “stuck to what she believed in” (60%), was “strong” (58%) and decisive (49%). However, only 14% consider her honest, 12% charismatic and just 6% in touch with the concerns of ordinary people.”

It continues:

“In terms of her achievements, being the first female Prime Minister is the one she is most commonly praised for, at 41%. After this comes winning the Falklands War (29%) and winning three general elections in a row (22%).”

In respect of policy failures, YouGov explains:

“Introducing the poll tax is seen as her greatest failing, with 37% of Britons saying this. Overseeing the decline of mining and manufacturing comes close behind at 34%, followed by her privatisation of utilities at 31%.”

Interestingly, in 2001, a poll by Ipsos Mori for the BBC asked those surveyed about what and who they found inspirational. In respect of people, Thatcher came third, with 28% saying they found her inspirational, behind Richard Branson on 51% and 65% who opted for Nelson Mandela. Just behind Thatcher was the Pope, with 20% saying they found him inspirational.

And how to interpret all these numbers? A mixed bag to say the least, a reflection that Thatcher and her policies continue to polarise the country.  

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