Maggie, as some endearingly refer to her, ploughed the furrows of Britain with her beliefs in low taxation and privatization. Along the way, she had a few altercations with British miners, but her time in government was eventually brought to an end by the poll tax riots of 1990.
After 11 years in power, what cultural legacy did the Iron Lady leave behind?
The political picture
Despite Thatcher being opposed to the BBC as an institution, it has made a nice line of political and historic films based around her and her government. Just last year, they broadcast Margaret, a film charting her fall from power. The year before that, there was a drama that focused on her earlier years, The Long Walk to Finchley.
And it’s not just the BBC. In fact, watch any film about Britain in the 80s and you will be hard pushed to find one where the influence of her government is not referred to somewhere. Many profited as she stuck staunchly to her free market policies, but unemployment also rose. There were also the seminal miners’ strikes of the mid-80s that lead to the closure of several mines and weakened trade unions for years afterwards.
Billy Elliot is set during the miners’ strikes and the storyline interweaves Billy’s struggle to become a dancer with his father’s struggles as a miner. The film is now also a West End musical with music by Elton John. My Beautiful Laundrette looks at racism and homosexuality against the backdrop of Thatcher’s economic policies.
Thatcher had an equally controversial stand-off with the Argentines in 1982. The Falkland Islands (or Las Malvinas as they are called in Argentina) are technically British territory, but Argentina considers them to be Argentine.
Two films worth watching to get a sense of Britain at the time are The Ploughman’s Lunch, which focuses on British media during the war and This is England, which looks at English nationalist culture.
Sir Bob was one of the few who successfully stood up to the Iron Lady. Photo: Wikimedia
It was during Thatcher’s time in power that Band Aid was created to help with famine in Ethiopia. Bob Geldof stood up to Thatcher, the tax on ‘Do They Know It’s Christmas?’ was returned to the charity and Geldof was free to say, ‘Give us your money’ as much as he liked for a good cause. This started the ball rolling for the Sir Bob and Bono to be the crusading campaigners they are today.
Billy Bragg also made his name during this time with protest songs. He started in the 80s siding with the miners and fronting Red Wedge, a group of musicians that attempted to engage people in politics and hasn’t stopped since. He still performs political punk rock and can be seen supporting groups such as Unite Against Fascism.
The 80s
Thatcher’s distaste for public expenditure and the era of the yuppie meant that the arts had to strive for commercial viability and you can taste the fruits of all this neon coloured virtuosity at Maggie’s Club in West London. Drinks are Maggie-themed and anyone who uses the toilet is subject to one of her inspiring political speeches.
If you feel that the political propaganda or the heady prices of the cocktails might be a little too much for you, never fear. You can still crimp your hair, don your leg-warmers and head to a Reflex bar or the infamous Infernos. Musical highlights will include synths, Bonnie Tyler and the Baywatch theme. Many British university towns also have a student bar that specializes in this sort of retro throwback music.
So there you have it First Pint readers – lycra-clad hedonism or bleakly lyrical protestation is yours to embrace should you wish it. Once you’ve familiarised yourself with the world of Thatcherite culture, it’s time to really embrace it as the British would by laughing at it.
Your first point of call for a Maggie giggle is Spitting Image. The satirical puppet show has been said to have ruined careers, so what are you waiting for? Grab some Babycham and enjoy some of Maggie’s best work.
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