Prominent people in the public eye tend to be reduced to caricatures. None more so than Baroness Thatcher, who is buried today in a state funeral attended by dignitaries from around the world. Such is the strength of feeling about her character, acts and legacy, that there are expected to be protests along the route of the procession.
Love her or hate her - no one divided opinion like "Maggie" - who was elected Prime Minister at a dark time in British political and economic history. Her influence as the first (and so far only) British Female Prime Minister is with us today in the shape of the UK's cultural landscape - both in political life and in economics. No one can deny her influence. I was travelling widely internationally as a journalist during Maggie's residency of No 10. Everywhere I went - even countries in the Middle East that had felt the full force of her "handbagging" - people had an enormous admiration for her, and respect for the Britain as a result, whereas previously we had been seen as a spent force, at least economically.
The prime minister
In 1979 she took on a country that had descended into industrial and economic chaos, with rampant inflation, and militant unionists who most would agree today were irresponsible. After a hesitant start, she adopted a self-confident style which showed no weakness, and pursued ideologically-driven economic policies. She took on the unions head on, culminating in the miners' strike in the mid 1980s; she introduced an environment of free-market economic policies; she introduced trade liberalisation; she allowed deregulation; she instigated sweeping privatisation; she lowered personal taxes in order to create an "enterprise culture"; and she presided over the Falklands war. Making adoring supporters and implacable enemies at every step along the way.
It will take longer for history to give a balanced view of her legacy. Many argue, plausibly, that our current economic woes are a result of her policies of liberalisation, which were pursued without adequate checks and balances being put in place. The liberalising "big bang" of the City of London in 1986, arguably led to significant growth and wealth creation. But blind trust in market forces has come home to roost in the last few years, as we have all reaped the harvest of the unchecked greed that was unleashed by the reforms she championed. Politically, she was a game changer. So much so that when John Major's government was replaced by Tony Blair's New Labour administration, the argument was won. Blair's policies incorporated the basic elements of Thatcherism, as it came to be know, albeit with the addition of more socialist elements.
The theologian
Born into a Methodist family, Maggie was at ease talking about spirituality. She famously entered 10 Downing St quoting the Prayer of St Francis of Assissi: "Where there is discord, may we bring harmony. Where there is error, may we bring truth. Where there is doubt, may we bring faith. And where there is despair, may we bring hope".
She famously preached what has become known as "the sermon on the mound" to the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, seeking to give a Biblical justification to her policies. She quoted St Paul saying: “If a man will not work he shall not eat.” She told them: “It is not the creation of wealth that is wrong, but love of money for its own sake. The spiritual dimension comes in deciding what one does with the wealth.” On another occasion, she preached about from the book of Judges that the greatest ill being faced by Israel at the time was "Inflation"!
The human being
The caricatures of politicians are popular ways of ridiculing or pigeonholing politicians. The truth is always far more complicated. She may have been the Iron Lady - but she was also a mother of twins, a wife, a good friend to many, and a brilliant raconteur with a great sense of humour. And in her old age, she struggled increasingly with Alzheimer's disease and dementia.
And on the day of her funeral, it is perhaps most fitting to reflect on our mortality. She was a flower that blossomed and bloomed in remarkable and memorable ways. But, like all flowers, she faded and has now died. The recent film about her life The Iron Lady - is touching picture of a woman robbed of her greatness by the illness that dogged her later years. It tenderly charts the struggles and tragedy of old age, infirmity, the loss of her soul mate, Dennis. It is a moving portrayal of the reality of decline and death that are common to all of us. "The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever." Isaiah 40 v 8
Today, I'm not rejoicing that the mighty are fallen. I'm filled with sadness that our lives end in the pain and oblivion of death. I'm conscious that with courage and conviction we can make a difference. I'm filled with hope that the resurrection of Christ shows that there is a way through death to eternal life, which gives meaning for our lives today.
Tim Thornborough is the founder and Publishing Director of The Good Book Company. He is series editor of Explore Bible-reading notes, the author of The Very Best Bible Stories series, and has contributed to many books published by The Good Book Company and others. Tim is married to Kathy, and they have three adult daughters.
