Letters / Good old Britain
News coverage of Margaret Thatcher’s death gives an idea of the sudden change that took place years ago.
Before Mrs Thatcher, Labour and communist views were rife in Glasgow.
There were those of us who lived and married into town society in the 50s, 60s, and early 70s who were bogged down in poor wages. Shipyards, mining and the steel industry were held in a Victorian stranglehold by the unions
The big industries were controlled by union leaders whose aim was to bring down every government that crossed them, and they did so relentlessly.
A joiner using another tradesman’s paintbrush meant an instant trivial strike that would last for days, which meant that overseas businesses became fed up with delays and moved contracts elsewhere.
I clearly remember union representatives stating they weren’t interested in the economy (they didn’t know what it meant), only in jobs.
Nobody could move forward, so Margaret Thatcher stood up to the union leaders and their ‘old guard’ friends in parliament.
Mining communities could at last speak for themselves and improve themselves, and some blue collar workers started their own little businesses.
Technology was imminent in industry, and people such as communist Jimmy Reid thought there was no future for anyone by staging sit-ins while other countries lost patience with missed deadlines.
Mrs Thatcher eventually emerged; enough was enough and somebody had to face up to it all.
My in-laws were miners and found they could be in the building trade as there was more to life than the mines.
Buying your own council home was good idea, but the council tax is still all wrong as is the bedroom tax.
Mrs Thatcher was not always right in her latter days, but she was tough and could command respect when dealing with leaders abroad such as from Russia. We have no strong leadership now, but we are always hopeful.
The IRA and Argentina are pleased to see any British death, but good old Britain will survive as always.
I do not think such a near state funeral is quite warranted nowadays. Churchill was well respected throughout the nation, although it should be noted that the miners in wartime were not keen on him either as he had to make tough decisions.
Christine Donald
Sandwick
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