Queen Elizabeth was in a position to judge Thatcher as PM

Eric Bahrt asked how could Queen Elizabeth’s judgement on Lady Thatcher be better than his or mine. Definitely, Her Majesty is more qualified to judge than Eric Bahrt or I, because all British prime ministers, by custom, have to reveal, every week, the state of the nation to the monarch. Lady Thatcher met Her Majesty every Tuesday for a period of 11 years.

I find the anti-hero mentality refreshing but somewhat boring if made repeatedly with selective and incomplete facts.

My belief in human decency rekindled when I read Alan Mehew’s moving letter in the same letters section on the same issue. He too suffered from Thatcher’s draconian measures and even took part in mass demonstrations. Yet, he has the sense of fair play now in recognising the necessity of Thatcher’s medicines. Despite his painful experience, Mr Mehew has a big heart in giving due credit to Thatcher.

Similarly, much overwhelming credit was given to many leaders like Ronald Reagan or even Mahatma Gandhi or Nelson Mandela, even though all of them were mortals and imperfect. I accept being seen as “disgusting” in praising these individuals for having done so much, rather than being seen like those cynics siding with those “dancing in the streets and celebrating” just to be different.

Songdej Praditsmanont

Bangkok