Former Tory Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher has received unexpected praise from senior Labour MP David Lammy, who described her as “a visionary leader for the UK.” Lammy’s remarks came after Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves likened herself to Thatcher during the annual Mais Lecture in London, drawing parallels between the current state of the UK and the economic transformations Thatcher implemented in the 1980s.
In an interview on Politico’s Power Play podcast, Lammy defended Reeves’s comparison, stating that Thatcher’s impact on the UK was undeniable, regardless of one’s stance on her policies. He acknowledged Thatcher’s significant influence on British politics, noting that her vision for change shaped the country for over two decades.
Lammy’s praise for Thatcher aligns with recent sentiments expressed by other senior Labour figures, including Shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury Darren Jones, who lauded Thatcher’s era as a “national renewal.”
However, these endorsements have sparked criticism from within the Labour Party and the SNP, with accusations of glorifying Thatcher’s policies, which many view as detrimental to working-class communities.
SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn and MSP Michelle Thomson condemned Labour’s positive portrayal of Thatcher, highlighting the negative impact her policies had on manufacturing, employment, and inequality.
Richard Leonard, former Scottish Labour group leader, criticized Labour’s UK leadership for what he perceived as a rewriting of history, emphasizing the economic hardships endured by many during Thatcher’s tenure.
Unite General Secretary Sharon Graham called for Labour to focus on delivering tangible benefits to the public, such as good jobs and robust public services, instead of endorsing abstract economic concepts.
Graham argued that sustainable economic growth requires long-term investment in infrastructure rather than adherence to rigid fiscal rules and policies that benefit big business at the expense of ordinary citizens.
The unexpected praise for Margaret Thatcher from within Labour ranks has sparked debate and criticism, highlighting divisions within the party over its approach to economic policy and historical interpretation.