Coffee House Shots From Thatcher to Truss, who's haunting Mel Stride?
Jun 5, 2025
In this discussion, Iain Dale, an LBC broadcaster and political commentator, shares insights from his book on Margaret Thatcher, debunking myths about her enduring legacy. He talks about Shadow Chancellor Mel Stride's attempts to restore the Conservatives' fiscal credibility and the party's struggles post-Liz Truss. The conversation also touches on Kemi Badenoch's potential in leadership and the implications of Labour's new free school meals policy, revealing the complexities of current political challenges.
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Stride's Fiscal Responsibility Pledge
- Mel Stride vowed no future Conservative government will repeat Liz Truss's fiscal irresponsibility, especially unfunded spending.
- This stance challenges Tory leadership rules that may allow similar fiscal views to emerge again.
Thatcher's Pragmatism and Legacy
- Thatcher was pragmatic, not abrupt, and became a conviction politician after 1983.
- Many of her reforms remain intact, with Labour governments rarely reversing them.
Thatcher and Apartheid Myth
- Thatcher actively worked to end apartheid through strategic engagement, opposing sanctions for leverage reasons.
- Mandela himself thanked her for her role in his release, contradicting common left-wing myths.
