The evil that woman did

I agree that the outbreak of glee in the UK after Margaret Thatcher’s death is undignified, but it is understandable. I agree that most Thais must be astounded at such a display. This is because they are as ignorant of Thatcher’s actions as they are of their own glorious leader’s actions and intentions.

Mark Anthony said of Caesar, “The evil that men do lives after them; the good is oft interred with their bones.” Personally I felt nothing good about Thatcher. Her triumphs include the destruction of Britain’s manufacturing industry; the selling of taxpayer-owned council houses to their occupants, only to allow interest rates to soar so they were kicked out with no other subsidised housing available; the brutal treatment by police of coal miners, the backbone of British industry; and demonising the coal workers’ leaders and lying to the public about pit closures. The war crime of sinking the Argentine ship General Belgrano in the totally unnecessary Falklands War was another.

What I find sickening is that none of this is recorded in the eulogies handed out by the press and foreign governments. I hated Thatcher in her lifetime. I am completely indifferent at her death.

Richard Bowler

Bangkok