Hundreds of people across Britain have staged events to celebrate the passing of Margaret Thatcher, who died last Monday aged 87 after a stroke in a London hotel.
So-called “street parties” were hastily assembled in Derry and west Belfast in the hours following the announcement of her death. Similar events took place in Glasgow where council officials desperately tried to keep people from gathering in the city centre. Most of these events were peaceful, although violence broke out during a street celebration in the south London borough of Brixton in which seven police were hurt.
The protests are a strong reminder that Thatcher, the first female prime minister of Britain who ruled from 1979 to 1990, was a divisive figure. But the ‘Iron Lady’, as she became known around the world, is also regarded by many as the founder of modern Britain. Her 11-year reign as prime minister and leader of the Conservative Party had a strong impact on British society. Before her time, Britain was regarded as the sick man of Europe – an image that transformed during her tenure as the country witnessed an economic rebound. Ordinary voters also benefitted during the Thatcher years as they bought the council houses in which they were living, while others became shareholders in several companies including British Gas and BT, which she privatised despite opposition from labour groups.
Nevertheless, Thatcher’s legacy remains controversial. But on the occasion of her death we do not believe it is wise to celebrate her demise. As Northern Ireland’s Alliance Party leader David Ford said: “There can never be any justification for the celebration of the death of another human.”
