On the morning of April 8, 2013, one of the greatest women in the world, Margaret Thatcher, passed away. In the Soviet Union, and even in post-Soviet Russia, she was not particularly liked for her harsh criticism of the USSR and was nicknamed the “Iron Lady”; this nickname later stuck with her both in Great Britain and throughout the world.
Margaret Thatcher became the first woman to serve as British Prime Minister. And if Winston Churchill, along with Franklin Roosevelt, opposed the empire, then Margaret Thatcher was one of those who brought about the collapse of the USSR.
What was she really like, and how justified was the nickname “Iron Lady” given to her by the Soviets? Let's try to figure it out.
Many will say that she began her political career in 1959 after being elected to the Parliament of Finchley, Middlesex, but in fact Thatcher became a politician long before that. Her father Alfred Roberts, who owned two groceries in Grantham, received active participation in the political life of the city. He was a member of the local municipal council and was also a pastor of the Methodist Church and raised his children, Margaret and Muriel, in strict Methodist canons. Therefore, it is safe to say that it was Alfred Roberts who sowed the seeds of a future politician in Margaret.
In the 1950s, politics in her life faded into the background. In 1951, she married Denis Thatcher, and two years later gave birth to twins - a son, Mark, and a daughter, Carol.
She entered truly big politics in 1959 after being elected to the House of Commons. After the victory of the Conservative Party in the parliamentary elections in 1970, Margaret Thatcher took the post of Minister of Science and Education of Great Britain, and 5 years later, on February 11, 1975, she managed to lead the party and lead it to victory in the elections on May 3, 1979. Then she became the first Prime Minister of Great Britain.
But in the USSR they heard about it much earlier. In 1976, Margaret Thatcher sharply criticized the Soviet Union, after which she was called the “Iron Lady” in the Krasnaya Zvezda newspaper. The British media translated this nickname as “the iron lady,” and it stuck with Margaret for the rest of her life, reflecting her strong, unshakable character.
After becoming prime minister, she continued her anti-Soviet rhetoric, supporting most initiatives.
When Thatcher came to power, few people took Britain seriously on the political stage. In many ways, this was the reason for Argentina's invasion of the Falkland Islands, a British archipelago whose ownership rights are disputed by the Argentines. On April 2, 1982, the Argentine landing party established control over the islands, but already in June the British managed to knock them out of the archipelago.
Margaret Thatcher became one of the first Western politicians to positively assess the reforms and openly declare the end of the Cold War, and in 1985 she visited the USSR, where she met with Gorbachev and Nikolai Ryzhkov.
Margaret Thatcher resigned in 1992 but still retained enormous influence on domestic and foreign policy UK. Even Queen Elizabeth II regularly asked her for advice on certain issues. Interestingly, it was Thatcher who called for the release of Augusto Pinochet, the former Chilean dictator, saying that he had provided great assistance to Britain during the Falklands conflict.
IN recent years Throughout her life, Margaret Thatcher had health problems, and in December 2012 she underwent surgery to remove a bladder tumor. from a stroke on the morning of April 8. The funeral is scheduled to take place on April 17 or 18. It’s interesting that she thought out the plan for her funeral last year. Thatcher wanted members of the royal family to accompany her on her final journey, as well as leaders from her reign, including Mikhail Gorbachev.
It is also used as a humorous and ironic expression - in relation to a decisive, unyielding, strong-willed woman. Used to refer to women in high management positions in both business and public service characterized by an unyielding character, a tough leadership style, and unwilling to compromise.
Story
On February 5, 1975, an article by journalist Marjorie Proops about Margaret Thatcher appeared in the London Daily Mirror: “The Iron Maiden”. The phrase was derived from it. “Eiserne Jungfrau” - the name of an instrument of torture in the form of an iron box, studded with steel spikes on the inside.
Expression iron lady (iron lady) first appeared in the English newspaper The Sunday Times on January 25, 1976, where the phrase “iron lady” was thus translated from an article by Yuri Gavrilov, a columnist for the newspaper of the USSR Ministry of Defense “Red Star”, about the newly elected leader of the Conservative Party on January 24, 1976.
According to Captain Gavrilov, this is how “they call her (i.e. Thatcher) in her own country.”
The article was called “The Iron Lady” is terrifying ...” and was a reaction to Thatcher’s statement during a speech at Kensington Town Hall on January 19, 1976 that “the Russians are striving for world domination”:
| « The Russians are seeking global dominance, and they are rapidly acquiring the means to become the most powerful imperial nation the world has ever seen. The Soviet Politburo does not worry about public opinion. They put guns in front of oil, while we put everything in front of guns - M. Thatcher» Original text(English) The Russians are bent on world dominance, and they are rapidly acquiring the means to become the most powerful imperial nation the world has seen. The men in the Soviet Politburo do not have to worry about the ebb and flow of public opinion. They put guns before butter, while we put just about everything before guns. |
Soon this nickname was firmly attached to the future prime minister, established itself in the English press and was adopted by Margaret Thatcher herself. She asked Pravda’s London correspondent Vsevolod Ovchinnikov to convey her gratitude to Soviet journalists.
Margaret Thatcher’s nicknames in her homeland were not particularly poetic before: “Battering Ram”, “Armored Tank”, “Shopkeeper’s Daughter”. Thatcher's most famous nickname in Britain is the "milk thief".
M. Thatcher used the expression in her election campaign 1979 - she led it under the slogan “Britain needs an iron lady” (“The iron Lady”). A well-timed phrase played no less a role than the millions of pounds spent on creating a pre-election image.
We, thinking of pricking her (after all, it was our propagandists who came up with the expression “Iron Lady”), gave her a huge compliment. It became hers main characteristic and dignity, a trump card, if you like.
In 2006, Margaret Thatcher's daughter, journalist Carol Thatcher, planned to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Russians giving her mother the nickname "Iron Lady" - which created a magnificent image for Margaret Thatcher. According to her, the nickname suited her mother in the best possible way.
In response to Margaret Thatcher's criticism of the Soviet Union, the Krasnaya Zvezda newspaper called her the “Iron Lady.” The translation of this expression into English sounded like “iron lady.” Since then, this nickname has firmly stuck to the Prime Minister.
The Grocer's Daughter
Margaret Hilda Roberts was indeed born into the family of a small merchant on October 13, 1925. Surprisingly hardworking, already at school Margaret received scholarships for her diligence. It is not surprising that she studied at Oxford for free and graduated from this prestigious institution with honors, immediately receiving a degree in chemistry. At the same time, Thatcher became interested in politics, getting involved in the affairs of the then unfashionable Conservative Party.
Subsequently, Margaret will say that she owes her professional and personal qualities to her family, especially her father. He not only worked in the store, but was also an assistant to the mayor and a member of the city council. “From childhood we were instilled with a sense of duty towards our family, towards the church, towards our neighbors. It gave me a basis in life,” said Margaret.
Wife of a businessman, mother of twins and... politician
At the age of 26 (in 1951), Margaret married wealthy businessman Denis Thatcher and quickly gave birth to twins: Mark and Carol. However, his academic career was replaced by a passion for politics. Later, Margaret Thatcher would emphasize that it was just a hobby, and not a desire to get ahead, at any cost.
Although, perhaps, it was precisely the fact that politics was initially a hobby for her, to which she devoted herself with all passion, and became the basis for her fantastic success.
While taking care of her family and children, Margaret simultaneously received another education - a law degree. She liked to emphasize that what helped her in this was that her husband Denis was a wealthy man, thanks to which she could calmly study to become a lawyer without thinking about earning money.
The only woman prime minister
In 1959, 34-year-old Thatcher became a Conservative member of the House of Commons in London and spent the next twenty years moving up the party ladder, holding a number of senior positions. In 1979, she decided to challenge fellow Conservative Edward Heath, who led the party. And takes his place. And when the Conservatives win the general parliamentary elections, Thatcher almost automatically becomes prime minister. The first and so far only woman in British history to hold this post. And her premiership was truly a record-breaking one: for almost 12 years, Margaret Thatcher, the “elected dictator,” as she was once called, remained in this post, entering the political history of not only Great Britain, but the whole world.
Frankly speaking, Mrs. Thatcher inherited a troublesome, by European standards, collapsed economy. Inflation was over 20%, which was simply indecent for a respectable country.
By the way, at one time (in the early 90s) Russia found itself in the same situation. At the same time, there were proposals, although not entirely serious, to invite Lady Thatcher to run our government. It's a pity that they are not serious.
Iron hand in a lace glove
Thatcher, as we would say, is a “convinced marketer.” She carried out the denationalization of several large industries, reduced social spending, which, in her opinion, simply produced idlers, curtailed the rights of trade unions - in a word, she implemented everything that in the USSR was called “Thatcherism” and the “anti-people policy of the Tories.” After this, inflation fell to an acceptable 4-5% per year (what we can now dream of), unemployment ceased to be a national problem, and the economy was firmly on the track of, if not rapid, then sustainable growth.
England began to be taken into account again. M. Thatcher's diplomatic gift was fully manifested when, in 1986-87, she, implementing the “shuttle” policy between the USA and the USSR, or better said, between Reagan and Gorbachev, made the reconciliation of the irreconcilable real.
Reasons for Thatcher's success
It is difficult to say what a woman's success in politics is. Perhaps it is the ability to play men's games. But who will say after this that politics is not a woman’s business?! Among the secrets of Margaret Thatcher's success are probably the following:
Extraordinary political sense and enormous will - she clearly knew what she wanted, saw the prospect and went towards the desired goal, without folding.
Margaret was capable of making frankly unpopular decisions and calmly listening to reproaches.
She was unfailingly firm in fulfilling decisions made, in times of crisis she knew how to rally like-minded people around her.
She deftly answered tricky questions the way she needed, conveying to the listener only what she wanted to say, and not what they wanted to hear from her.
In her own family, where, in addition to Margaret, her sister Muriel grew up, there were strict rules - the girls were instilled with clear concepts of honesty, decency and other positive qualities. Thatcher brought them into her policies.
Margaret has a wonderful rear behind her - good family, a caring husband, well-mannered children who did not cause her trouble with any inappropriate antics.
Well, undoubtedly one of important factors The success is that Margaret Thatcher is simply a beautiful woman.
Professional workaholic
Margaret often repeated: “I was born to work.” Among the reasons for her success, Thatcher herself cites good natural health, belief in human rights and the belief that management must be skillful. Not particularly shy, she says that she is good at understanding people - as soon as she sees a person, she already knows who is in front of her, and is never mistaken. She was uncompromising towards corruption. Margaret Thatcher is practically the only major political leader who has never been addressed not a single accusation of dishonesty was heard.
Now the 86-year-old lady rarely appears in public (age and illness make themselves felt), but her every appearance is an event. Margaret's favorite recreational activities include walking and attending concerts and classical music festivals.
Margaret Thatcher didn't like the film "The Iron Lady", but she appreciated Meryl Streep's performance (pictured)
...By the way, Thatcher herself did not like the film “The Iron Lady” that was released in principle - “an unnecessary undertaking.” But she praised the brilliant performance of Meryl Streep (the Hollywood star played the role of the Prime Minister). As always, balanced, polite, but frank.
The mechanism for taking office as a prime minister in England is very unique. By the morning, when the election results become known, the sleep-deprived, exhausted winner comes to the monarch’s residence and, bending his knee, informs Her Majesty about the accomplished fact. And the reigning lady has no choice but to invite the winner to accept the post of prime minister and form a government. As a rule, this offer is not refused.
For all her firmness, in relation to unprincipled details, Margaret Thatcher is capable of an active compromise. Although, as she says, this is her least favorite word. Listening to the advice of image makers, Margaret somewhat softened the intonation of her statements, changed her hairstyle, began to wear more feminine suits (she rarely wears dresses at all), more short skirts and wear jewelry more often. And with this change of image she achieved incredible success! She turned from a tough parliamentary fighter into a kind of “mother of the nation,” a second queen.
Thatcher has few jewelry and most of them are gifts from her husband for family holidays. Margaret's favorite jewelry is natural pearls. “Pearl earrings highlight the face in a special way,” she says. Her favorite color is turquoise, but she rarely wears it, preferring dark blue and gray, and prefers natural wool and silk.
Margaret is the second wife of Denis Thatcher. His first wife was also named Margaret. The fact that she is the second Margaret Thatcher never seemed to bother the head of the British government, but she did not like to talk about it.
With their retirement, the “grocer’s daughters” planned to bestow the title of nobility and title. At first they thought that she would be made Countess of Grantham - after the name of the place where she was born. However, Margaret Thatcher was given the title of Baroness Kestwin. By the way, her pension is 17.5 thousand pounds a year.
Margaret Thatcher, 1974Margaret Thatcher loved to be first in everything. The first woman to lead Great Britain, the first prime minister to win elections three times in a row, the first British politician to remain in power for a record 11 and a half years. Attitudes towards her in her homeland still remain contradictory and fragmented: for some she still remains the “mother of the nation”, for others she is the “witch Thatcher”. On one point, today's British are absolutely united: there are no people indifferent to the personality and legacy of the Baroness and there never will be.
Called the “Iron Lady” by the Soviet newspaper Krasnaya Zvezda in 1976 (only later did the British pick up the nickname and begin calling their prime minister the “Iron Lady”), Margaret Thatcher would have celebrated her 92nd birthday on October 13. In honor of the Baroness's birthday, we recall the brightest moments of her life and political career.
October 13, 1925: Grocer's daughter born
The most powerful woman in Great Britain was born in a small town in Lincolnshire into the family of a vegetable merchant. Many Thatcher biographers laugh that, having been born into such conditions, Margaret should have become a Labor member rather than a Conservative. However, already in childhood, the girl’s father, Elfrid Roberts, began to actively accustom her to Tory values, especially talking a lot about the advantages of a market economy. Margaret grew up as a “daddy’s girl” (the life of a housewife-mother did not appeal to the girl at all): together with her father, they attended lectures at universities, read books and listened to political programs on the radio. During World War II, her hero will be Winston Churchill: his strong speeches and achievements for the benefit of Great Britain will inspire the girl to get involved in politics.
Margaret's father taught her to work hard and be independent of public opinion. That is why at school the girl was considered arrogant, or, as her classmates more accurately called her, a “toothpick.” Margaret did not have brilliant academic abilities, but she still graduated from school as the best student, thanks to perseverance and discipline.
“No, I was unlucky. I deserve it” - Margaret Roberts, 9 years old (during the award for winning a school competition).
1943: Career as a chemist?
The best student at school, Margaret went to receive higher education to the prestigious Oxford University. The specialty she chose was not at all humanitarian: the girl began to study chemistry under the guidance of the future Nobel laureate Dorothy Hodgkin, but soon she was very quickly disappointed in her choice, deciding that she should study law.
By the way, the girl has not lost interest in politics at all. True to her father’s behests, she became one of the few who decided to join the Conservative Association of traditionally liberal Oxford. And she succeeded well in it, becoming its president a few years later (and the first girl in this position).
After graduating from university, however, Margaret did not change her specialty, working for a couple of years at a plastics manufacturing plant.
“This woman is stubborn, headstrong and painfully arrogant,” the head of recruitment at Imperial Chemical Industries would say about her when he refused to hire Margaret in 1948.
1950: A young mother cannot run for Parliament
After graduating from university, Margaret moved to the town of Dartford, where, at 24, she decided to try for the first time as a member of Parliament. Local conservatives famously approved her candidacy, but, alas, the girl failed to win the 1950 elections, since Dartford traditionally voted for Labor.
The failure hit Margaret's self-esteem hard, but giving up was not in her nature. Moreover, in the same year the girl finally met her idol, Winston Churchill, who instilled in her self-confidence. Margaret went to law school, and two years later she married a wealthy 33-year-old businessman, Denis Thatcher. Subsequently, many of Thatcher's opponents would decide that it was a marriage of convenience: Denis sponsored her education and future political campaigns. Even Margaret's motherhood was attacked: it was rumored that the woman decided to give birth to her twins as soon as possible, so as to never again think about whether she should or should not have children.
However, despite the increased fame and the funds provided by her husband for waging political struggle, next elections Margaret failed again. The reason was extremely simple: voters believed that a young mother could not run for Parliament, since she had to take care of the house.
“I hope that soon we will see more and more more women combine family and career" (Margaret Thatcher, 1952)
1959: Youngest Member of Parliament (also a woman)
Finally, having raised her children and sent them to boarding school, Margaret again attempted to enter Parliament. And this time she succeeded - first of all, because the Conservatives were in power in the country at that time, and also due to the fact that Thatcher chose the more Tory-friendly constituency of Finchley.
1970: "The Milk Thief"
Finally, after a series of defeats by Labor in 1970, the Conservatives, led by Edward Heath, will again come to power, who will appoint Margaret to the post of Minister of Education. This is how Thatcher’s career in big politics will begin, the start of which will be very successfully described by the leader of the House of Commons, William Wiltrow, who said: “Once she got here, we will never get rid of her.”
Thatcher will take up her duties with all responsibility and determination. For example, it will reduce the budget for education. But perhaps her most controversial and scandalous decree will be the cancellation of the provision of a free glass of milk during school breakfast to students from wealthy families. For this step, the press ironically nicknamed her “Thatcher the Milk Snatcher.” Perhaps this was her first failure in governing the state, because saving milk did not have much impact on the state budget, but popular indignation haunted the Conservative party for a long time.
“I learned one lesson from this experience: I provoked a maximum of political hatred for a minimum of political benefits” (Thatcher - on the “milk” scandal)
1975: Conservative Leader
In 1974, Edward Heath's government suffered a crushing election defeat. Margaret will regard this as a signal for decisive action. She owed much to Heath, but, nevertheless, she did not hesitate to openly oppose her benefactor and stand for the post of Tory leader.
Was this a betrayal? Maybe. In any case, no one in the party leadership took Thatcher's arrogance seriously. But the woman had a strategy. Yes, she was unpopular with the establishment, but she was well able to gain the support of ordinary party members (the so-called “backbenchers”). Thatcher had an excellent memory and ability to work with numbers. In her conversations with fellow party members, she often bombarded them with facts, so that no one could argue with her. Moreover, she remembered each of her colleagues, knew the names of his children, and remembered their birthdays, which also added significant weight to her in the eyes of politicians.
In 1975, she triumphantly unseated Heath as party leader. Many thought it wouldn't last long. And their skepticism was their biggest mistake.
“Her main strength is that she is not afraid to say that two plus two equals four. But this is so unpopular today" (Poet Philip Larkin - about Thatcher, 1979)
4 May 1979: First female Prime Minister
Four years later, Margaret Thatcher finally realized her, perhaps, her most important childhood dream. By a margin of just one vote, she managed to wrest the coveted post of prime minister from the hands of Labor leader J. Callaghan and begin her 11-year reign.
She entered No. 10 Downing Street as a kind of experienced housewife who would be able to correctly distribute the state budget, just as any woman copes with planning a family budget. After a long period of Labor rule, the country's economy was in critical condition, and Margaret, ready to put into practice her father's words about the benefits of the free market, got to work.
“Any woman familiar with the problems of maintaining household, better understands the problems of governing the country.”
1980: "Ladies Don't Turn Around"
Despite Thatcher's efforts to introduce free market principles, the country's economy continued to decline. Critics called on the Prime Minister to “do a 180-degree turn”, but Margaret was adamant.
“You can turn around if you want. Ladies don't turn around."
1982: Falklands War
Thatcher may not have been a brilliant political strategist, but she was very talented. Her premiership was coming to an end, and her internal reforms were not bringing any positive results. In the minds of the people, she remained “Thatcher’s witch”, who stole milk and jobs from them - and this is not a good background for a triumphant re-election to a second term.
Luck smiled at the woman in 1982 and sent her the treasured Argentine aggression in the distant Falkland Islands (these are British territories located near Argentina). As usual, Buenos Aires wanted to appropriate the territories where the Argentine population was mainly located, and the British government was ready to take this step so as not to start a war. No, it, of course, did not intend to scatter territories - it’s just that maintaining the Falkland Islands was already expensive, and London had no communications there for a long time.
But Margaret had a different opinion. This was a wonderful opportunity to show the British that she was ready to become their “second Churchill.” Despite the costs (indeed, it would have been cheaper to give these godforsaken lands to the Argentines), Margaret sent a fleet to cross the Atlantic and fight the war, which they, of course, won. It was a real triumph: Thatcher again restored the British pride in their country, awakened in them the ambitions of a post-imperialist people, at the head of which she should stand. It is not surprising that in the next elections she was instantly re-elected to a second term.
So Thatcher bought herself time. And then came the first fruits of Margaret's economic policy. The market had finally come to its senses: every Briton owned shares in privatized companies, almost no one missed the opportunity to buy own house, and London at this time became the real financial capital of the world.
"Defeat? I don’t recognize the meaning of this word!” (Thatcher - at the beginning of the Falklands War in response to speculation about the impending defeat of Great Britain)
1984: Miners' Storm
For her inflexibility and strength of character, Margaret was already widely called the “Iron Lady,” but, perhaps, no one expected such a step from her.
Trade unions have traditionally had a lot of weight in Britain, but not in Thatcher's eyes. And when British miners decided to go on strike in response to the closure of several mines, Margaret made an unprecedented decision. It has been a long time since the civilized West saw how huge squads of police disperse demonstrators with shots and beatings. The war with the miners lasted about a year, and Thatcher never wanted to make concessions. She won. But she finally lost the support of the working class.
"She hated the poor and did nothing to help them." (Morrissey, British musician).
1984: Thatcher and Reagan: "special relationship"
Like her idol Winston Churchill, Thatcher placed a special emphasis on the traditionally close Anglo-American relations.
Thatcher loved attractive men: perhaps that is why her relationship with the US President, a handsome Californian, Ronald Reagan, was more than successful. The leaders of Britain and the United States often called each other and coordinated policies. Margaret even allowed the American military to be stationed on her territory. Meanwhile, the prime minister was also fascinated by another handsome man - the leader of the USSR Mikhail Gorbachev. It was Thatcher who gave Soviet Union an invitation to the Western world, contributing to a significant warming of relations between East and West.
“I liked Gorbachev. You can do business with him" (Margaret Thatcher, 1984)
1990: Fatal error
Perhaps Thatcher could have ruled Britain for a long time if not for a banal human factor: fatigue. Whatever one may say, the Iron Lady has been in power for too long. Finally, any of her initiatives no longer caused anything but irritation among the people. The final straw was Thatcher's poll tax. More than a hundred thousand people took to the streets of London with protest demonstrations, and all were forcibly dispersed by the police. Thatcher did not resign then, but it was the beginning of the end.
In November, almost her entire cabinet opposed Margaret's leadership. It was a betrayal - they treated her almost the same way she once treated Edward Heath. And just like Heath once, the Iron Lady had nothing to oppose to her party colleagues who had turned their backs on her. Thatcher resigned.
“It was betrayal with a smile on its face” (Margaret Thatcher)
2007: legend during his lifetime
Yes, Thatcher left 10 Downing Street, but she never left British public life. She wrote memoirs, gave speeches, and in 1992 she was even granted the title of Baroness.
The funeral ceremony took place in St. Paul's Cathedral, and Elizabeth II herself was present. It was a state funeral: the cortege carrying Margaret's body passed throughout London, and cannon salvoes were fired in memory of the Iron Lady. Before Thatcher, only... Winston Churchill received such an honor.
“To some extent we are all Thatcherites” (David Cameron, 2013)
It is also used as a humorous and ironic expression - in relation to a decisive, unyielding, strong-willed woman. Used to refer to women holding high leadership positions both in business and in public service, characterized by an unyielding character, a tough leadership style, and unwilling to compromise.
Story
On February 5, 1975, an article by journalist Marjorie Proops about Margaret Thatcher appeared in the London Daily Mirror: “The Iron Maiden”. The phrase was derived from it. “Eiserne Jungfrau” - the name of an instrument of torture in the form of an iron box, studded with steel spikes on the inside.
Expression iron lady (iron lady) first appeared in the English newspaper The Sunday Times on January 25, 1976, where the phrase “iron lady” was thus translated from an article by Yuri Gavrilov, a columnist for the newspaper of the USSR Ministry of Defense “Red Star”, about the newly elected leader of the Conservative Party on January 24, 1976.
According to Captain Gavrilov, this is how “they call her (i.e. Thatcher) in her own country.”
The article was called “The Iron Lady” is terrifying ...” and was a reaction to Thatcher’s statement during a speech at Kensington Town Hall on January 19, 1976 that “the Russians are striving for world domination”:
| « The Russians are seeking global dominance, and they are rapidly acquiring the means to become the most powerful imperial nation the world has ever seen. The Soviet Politburo does not worry about public opinion. They put guns in front of oil, while we put everything in front of guns - M. Thatcher» Original text (English) The Russians are bent on world dominance, and they are rapidly acquiring the means to become the most powerful imperial nation the world has seen. The men in the Soviet Politburo do not have to worry about the ebb and flow of public opinion. They put guns before butter, while we put just about everything before guns. |
Soon this nickname was firmly attached to the future prime minister, established itself in the English press and was adopted by Margaret Thatcher herself. She asked Pravda’s London correspondent Vsevolod Ovchinnikov to convey her gratitude to Soviet journalists.
Margaret Thatcher’s nicknames in her homeland were not particularly poetic before: “Battering Ram”, “Armored Tank”, “Shopkeeper’s Daughter”. Thatcher's most famous nickname in Britain is the "milk thief".
M. Thatcher used the expression in her 1979 election campaign - she led it under the slogan “Britain needs an iron lady.” A well-timed phrase played no less a role than the millions of pounds spent on creating a pre-election image.
We, thinking of pricking her (after all, it was our propagandists who came up with the expression “Iron Lady”), gave her a huge compliment. This became her main characteristic and advantage, a trump card, if you like.
In 2006, Margaret Thatcher's daughter, journalist Carol Thatcher, planned to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Russians giving her mother the nickname "Iron Lady" - which created a magnificent image for Margaret Thatcher. According to her, the nickname suited her mother in the best possible way.
