And here was me just thinking that the one thing that marked out this particular Conservative Party leadership contest – the fourth in eight years – was that the dreadful haunting presence of Mad Maggie Thatcher hadn't appeared.
And she hasn't appeared. Mostly because, aged 80 and very frail, she hasn't been *able* to appear. But The Daily Mail – the UK's most appalling paper – was clearly missing the Mrs T machinations so badly that it decided to post this frankly insane poll on its website:
“Could Thatcher save the Tories?”
No mistake – it was posted 13 October 2005. And you are invited to vote: “Yes, she has vision and drive” or “No, the party needs to change”.
Has the Mail gone even more mad than usual? And what is even more insane is that a majority of people – 53 percent – have said that yes, the mad old bat who nearly tore this country in two can save the Tories.
How exactly? By dying and leaving us all to get on with our lives without ever having to worry about her again?
Actually the death of Margaret Thatcher is going to be a very interesting time to observe the media. Of course, number one, you have to be very nice and respectful when an old prime minister dies.
But with parts of the country still idolising here and other parts absolutely despising her – what line will the media take?
Just as there will be people's crying and giving tedious anecdotes about her greatness, I can guarantee you that Champagne sales will hit the roof in large parts of the country.
Should be fun to see.
