Sky News Daily Thatcher 100 - why Margaret Thatcher is still shaping politics a century on from her birth
Oct 17, 2025
Jon Craig, Chief Political Correspondent for Sky News, delves into the legacy of Margaret Thatcher, the UK's first female prime minister. He explores her profound impact on both Conservative and opposition politicians, highlighting her divisive policies like the poll tax and union reforms. Craig discusses Thatcher's possible stance on Brexit and how her conservative philosophy would intersect with today's political landscape. He predicts her influence will reverberate through history as a transformative figure, embodying both admiration and controversy.
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Small-Town Roots To Westminster
- Margaret Thatcher grew up above her father's corner shop in Grantham and cited frugal upbringing as shaping her economics.
- Jon Craig traces her path from grammar school to studying chemistry and law before becoming MP for Finchley in 1959.
Strength Built International Clout
- Thatcher's firmness won global influence, notably her partnership with Ronald Reagan and role in ending the Cold War.
- The 1982 Falklands War and subsequent 1983 landslide cemented her international and domestic authority.
Pragmatism On Europe
- Thatcher was pragmatic on Europe: championing the single market yet opposing a federal Europe.
- Her later eurosceptic reputation grew after she left office as party divisions deepened.