A controversial leader, but a good role model?
Columnist Alison Robson
Introducing our new columnist . . .
THERE have been a lot of readers commenting on ‘our very own’ Margaret Thatcher recently.
I’m a Labour party supporter, and as much as I dislike Thatcher, you’ve got to admire her determination. She wasn’t brought up with a silver spoon in her mouth and didn’t have any notable ancestors (David Cameron, former Eton pupil and direct descendent of King William IV, anyone?).
Instead she relied on scholarships for her schooling (much like students today, I suppose!) and had a rather bumpy political career that, I guess, ultimately didn’t work out the way she had planned (unless widespread hatred was what she was aiming for).
Yet despite the obstacles in her way, she overcame all of the problems to become Britain’s first female Prime Minister.
That’s pretty impressive when you consider her background and the fact there had never been a female PM before. Yes, many of us do think she didn’t do a great job and that she has left a lasting impact on the economy – although plenty would disagree...
But we should at least recognise her determination and good intentions, whether this is through a statue or something else.
Thatcher is part of Grantham’s history whether we like it or not.
And she is proof that if at first you don’t succeed - try again. You’ll find some people disagree with your decisions, whilst others will support you.
Young people of today have many more opportunities available to them, and you don’t need to have lots of money to get a good education (just a generous loan from Student Finance).
I’m not saying everyone is going to be a Prime Minister because they’re not. But if we take a leaf out of Thatcher’s book, we might just make something of ourselves in some other way. Regardless of what you think about her leadership, Thatcher proved you don’t have to be rich or have connections to succeed in what you want to do; you just need willpower and a lot of patience.
by Alison Robson
@allyalejandro
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Friday 25 May 2012
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