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Sat, 20 April 2024

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Margaret Thatcher is the UK's greatest post-war Prime Minister, according to poll

2 min read

Margaret Thatcher is Britain's greatest post-war Prime Minister, according to a major new poll.


The YouGov survey found that 21% of voters put the former Tory leader in the top spot, just ahead of Sir Winston Churchill on 19%.

They are both well ahead of Tony Blair, who is on third place with just 6% support. Theresa May came last on  0%.

But despite coming out on top, the poll of 1,630 people also found that nearly half the country - 47% - believe Lady Thatcher left a more unequal society when she left 10 Downing Street after 11 years.

Overall, 44% of Brits believe that she was a good or great Prime Minister, compared to 29% who think she is a poor or terrible one.

Introducing the poll tax - which ultimately led to her removal from office - is seen as her greatest failing, followed by overseeing the decline of mining and manufacturing, and privatising the utilities.

And on Brexit, 59% believe Lady Thatcher would have done a better job of negotiating a deal than Mrs May.

The poll was conducted to mark the 40th anniversary of her coming to office in the 1979 general election.

Clement Attlee is seen as the UK's fourth-best post-war PM on 5%, followed by Harold Wilson on 4%, with John Major and David Cameron both on 2%.

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