Margaret Thatcher in brief

Pennies dont fall from heaven; they have to be earned here on earth. No one would remember the Good Samaritan if hed only had good intentions; he had money as well. Economics are the method; the object is to change the heart and soul. My policies are based not on some economics theory, but on things I and millions like me were brought up with: an honest days work for an honest days pay; live within your means; put by a nest egg for a rainy day; pay your bills on time; support the police. Defeat? I do not recognise the meaning of the word. I personally have always voted for the death penalty because I believe that people who go out prepared to take the lives of other people forfeit their own right to live. I believe that that death penalty should be used only very rarely, but I believe that no one should go out certain that no matter how cruel, how vicious, how hideous their murder, they themselves will not suffer the death penalty. Socialists cry Power to the people, and raise the clenched fist as they say it. We all know what they really meanpower over people, power to the State. Theres no such thing as society. A man may climb Everest for himself, but at the summit he plants his countrys flag. (To Conservative backbench MP John Whittingdale) The trouble with you John, is that your spine does not reach your brain. For every idealistic peacemaker willing to renounce his self-defence in favour of a weapons-free world, there is at least one warmaker anxious to exploit the others good intentions. Constitutions have to be written on hearts, not just paper. If you want something said, ask a man. If you want something done, ask a woman. To me, consensus seems to be the process of abandoning all beliefs, principles, values and policies. So it is something in which no one believes and to which no one objects. To wear your heart on your sleeve isnt a very good plan; you should wear it inside, where it functions best. Being powerful is like being a lady. If you have to tell people you are, you arent. I am extraordinarily patient, provided I get my own way in the end. If you want to cut your own throat, dont come to me for a bandage. There can be no liberty unless there is economic liberty. I usually make up my mind about a man in ten seconds, and I very rarely change it. It pays to know the enemy - not least because at some time you may have the opportunity to turn him into a friend. It is not the creation of wealth that is wrong, but the love of money for its own sake. I always cheer up immensely if an attack is particularly wounding because I think, well, if they attack one personally, it means they have not a single political argument left.

Popular capitalism is nothing less than a crusade to enfranchise the many in the economic life of the nation. Imagine a Labour canvasser talking on the doorstep to those East German families when they settle in on freedoms side of the wall. You want to keep more of the money you earn? Im afraid thats very selfish. We shall want to tax that away. You want to own shares in your firm? We cant have that. The state has to own your firm. You want to choose where to send your children to school? Thats very divisive. Youll send your child where we tell you.