Fin vs History

Pull Yourself Up By Your Buttplugs | Margaret Thatcher & The Falklands (Part 6/6)

Jan 2, 2026
Explore Thatcher's chaotic final term as her grip on power slips. The hosts tackle her controversial views on AIDS, leading to the infamous Section 28. They humorously dissect the rise of the poll tax and public backlash, including riots and mass nonpayment. The tension within the Tory party escalates, culminating in a leadership challenge against Thatcher. Reflecting on her legacy, they discuss her connections with controversial figures and the divided public reaction to her death. A delightful mix of history and humor awaits!
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INSIGHT

Electoral Success Masks Regional Unpopularity

  • Thatcher won three consecutive elections but remained unpopular in many regions, especially the industrial north.
  • The hosts link her electoral success to first-past-the-post and regional divides rather than unanimous support.
INSIGHT

Moral Framing Shaped Early AIDS Policy

  • AIDS emerges as a major public crisis in the 1980s while official messaging is slow and morally framed.
  • The hosts highlight that Thatcher saw AIDS through a moral lens, resisting explicit public-health interventions.
ANECDOTE

Comedy Used To Convey Public Panic

  • Fin and Horatio jokingly call AIDS "mystery bum disease" while discussing public fear and ignorance.
  • They use dark humour to underline how terrified people were of casual sex in the 1980s.
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