Stephen Tall

Here’s today’s hand-picked selection that caught my interest…

• Margaret Thatcher and Scotland: A Story of Mutual Incomprehension » Spectator Blogs
  Alex Massie fascinating on Mrs T & Scotland, esp on why poll tax launched there http://bit.ly/Zei0DQ
• Britain divided on Thatcher record, but 50% claim positive contribution – poll
  ICM: Thatcher’s record rated good by 50% to 36% bad. (Gdn typically calls this “divided”!) http://bit.ly/ZwQaZC But note regional variati…
• BBC News – Margaret Thatcher: Economic legacy of an Iron Lady
  “In the late ’70s it’s fair to say there was no such thing as the consumer” Stephanie Flanders on her legacy http://bbc.in/17npACB
• Margaret Thatcher has a fair claim to be called the most influential politician since the Second World War, but her legacy is still hotly disputed today because of her mistakes and weak points | British Politics and Policy at LSE
  Very good, balanced Thatcher analysis by @ProfTimBale (as you would expect) http://bit.ly/17nomYe
• Margaret Thatcher: A cut above the rest | The Economist
  Fuller, much better obit from The Economist than earlier, acknowledges Mrs T ‘s triumphs, mistakes & contradictions http://econ.st/Y8qBYD
• 'A heroine and a hate figure': Indifference wasn't an option when it came to Lady Thatcher – Comment – Voices – The Independent
  Don’t agree with it all but a good obituary from Indy’s Andreas Whittam Smith: ‘A heroine and a hate figure’ http://ind.pn/Zdcl0N
• Archive: Margaret Thatcher: clear choice for the Tories » Spectator Blogs
  They don’t write leader articles like this any more. A prolix Speccie opts for Mrs T over Heath in ’75 http://bit.ly/17n0JPz
• The central government continues to believe that it, and not elected local authorities, knows best | British Politics and Policy at LSE
  Right on cue: an article reminding us how Mrs T centralised power in Whitehall more than any other PM (til Blair) http://bit.ly/17mYT0V
• How Margaret Thatcher transformed politics and this country » Spectator Blogs
  James Forsyth: “her greatest triumph was that she made the Labour party accept the new reality that she had created” http://bit.ly/17mYrQr