When Thatcher came into power unemployment stood at 1.5 million and when she left it stood at 2.1 million. In those years in government the population rose from 56,209,000 to 57,126,000. It is hard to say that she left a huge unemployment problem.

In addition, given that many "employed" people in the 70s worked in nationalised industries - jobs that were outdated, of no use to society and were funded by the taxpayers - and therefore those workers were essentially benefit claimants in another guise and should therefore be considered to be unemployed, in reality unemployment fells as more of the population undertook work in the productive areas of the economy ie. the private sector.

The State has a duty to uphold law+order and protect us from external aggressors (one could also add to educate our children), as these functions cannot be performed by the private sector. The State has no mandate to run airlines, build ships, mine for coal, provide gas etc, especially not at a huge loss to the taxpayer.

I apologise, I did check to see what had happened after the funeral, but didn't see anything that said she had been cremated.

Quote ="Big Graeme"Take your pick, there is an FT report in there somewhere, I do hope they are not too left wing for you to consider it relevant. https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=east+ ... 80&bih=835'" Thanks BG, only just seen Elpers' quibble. Also, since going back into State ownership, the target of refranchising at some point has meant little or no investment in East Coast, and, as franchisees tend to invest in the early days of their franchise and not towards the end because they don't know if their franchise will be renewed, the last investment was way before going back into state ownership.

Quote ="Big Graeme"Take your pick, there is an FT report in there somewhere, I do hope they are not too left wing for you to consider it relevant. https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=east+ ... 80&bih=835'" Thanks BG, only just seen Elpers' quibble. Also, since going back into State ownership, the target of refranchising at some point has meant little or no investment in East Coast, and, as franchisees tend to invest in the early days of their franchise and not towards the end because they don't know if their franchise will be renewed, the last investment was way before going back into state ownership.

Anyone bought Mrs Thatcher's new biography yet?

Can't see any need, given the amount of airtime afforded to Charles Moore recently

Met Titan in London yesterday. He was straight into Foyles to purchase it with pride.