Three weeks after failing to secure the large majority she called the election for, Theresa May took to the dispatch box, and delivered her government programme. Playing to her strengths she was sincere and considerate. She apologised as Prime Minister for both national and local government failings in the immediate aftermath of the Grenfell fire tragedy, and spoke about the different terrorist incidents and our solidarity in facing them.

Her speech had a little of everything, contrition, confidence and even some humour. Watching her take blow after blow from the opposite benches, I was delighted to see the pre-general election May emerge. She handled attacks and support equally graciously and showed she is ready to lead both our country and her party. This was her first test, her second is today when she attends the European Council Summit in Brussels and her major third test comes next week when she faces Corbyn at PMQs. Particularly after his new-found confidence and publicised desire to overthrowing this government by any means possible.

Although, many Conservative MPs, are not yet ready to forget or in some cases forgive the election and its outcome. On the other hand, most Labour backbenchers are not yet behind Jeremy Corbyn. While they, and their media chums might like to flaunt in every opportunity their surprising election results, Tories are still the legitimate winner of the 2017 general election and therefore the ruling party, and Theresa May is still the leader of the Conservative party and the Prime Minster of the UK.

Twenty years ago today Europhiles in the Conservative Party conspired and succeed to unseat the greatest Prime Minster of the Twentieth Century. Margaret Thatcher, loath or love her has left a legacy paralleled to none and very big shoes for any future Prime Minsters to fill. Until today she divides opinions, and ignites heated debate both of which are signs of her greatness and visionary leadership.

Who’d have thought back then that twenty years later, the European experiment will be where it is today and have serious question marks hanging over its viability and possible continuity!?

Thatcher’s achievements were and are still enormous, she took a bankrupt country that depended on IMF loans and turned it around, nationalised industries and brought government spending to just below 60 percent of GDP making the UK a serious and formidable financial player in the global economy. Plus, she won the Cold War, the Falkland’s war and took a tough stance when it came to terrorism and the IRA.

However, looking at Baroness Thatcher’s time with the eyes of an African girl in Sudan – I saw a woman who came from a modest background, a grocer’s daughter who did not belong to the old boys’ club with their smoke filled back rooms where big deals and the fate of whole nations were sealed with a handshake over Brandy. I saw a woman who believed in equality and not just preach it but actually delivered it – council tenants were allowed to own their homes and social mobility became a reality not just an election slogan or the working class wishful dream. A Lady who held genuine believes and convictions and was not afraid to act on them.

Of course there are those who will disagree with me and that’s OK! But the pride Maggie filed the young me all those years ago touched many people specially women young and old the world over!

Long lives Thatcher, long live the Iron Lady and thank you for the legacy!

It is exciting to learn that the Tories will start the New Year with launching their manifesto and unveiling it bit by bit one policy per day through out the month of January. In Manchester they were bold and honest when they told the country the truth about the state of the economy and prepared them for what’s to come. A few weeks ago, when it became obvious that the Lisbon treaty will undoubtedly become ratified by the other EU members they laid down what a Tory government if elected will do to safeguard Britain’s rights and sovereignty never again allowing them to be squandered. Unlike Labour they do not need to dwell and chew over issues after the point has been made. The New Year is a perfect time to draw a line under issues and scandals that dominated 2009, move forward and start fresh on a positive and productive platform.

Some are now calling the Conservatives leader “Sunny Cameron” and he is naturally a hopeful and positive guy, remember his 2006 speech “Let optimism beat pessimism. Let sunshine win the day”. He is also honest and frank, and will tell the truth even at the expense of his personal popularity. Conservative MPs has led the way in fully publishing and repay overpaid expenses and the whole country witnessed those who quibbled about repayments being encouraged to go. He was open and candid about the state of the economy, social justice, family breakdown, crime, immigration and issues the government did not want to see or pretended did not exist.

The Policy–a–day blitz is a good opportunity for the country to understand and find out what a Conservatives government can offer them, especially this close to an election. Having them unveiled daily over the month will allow the public time to digest and debate the policies as they are revealed. Plus, it will put an end to the unfounded accusations by Tory opponents and their stooges that the Conservatives have no policies. With the focus daily on the Conservatives there will be more pressure on the other parties to explain their counter attacks and qualify them. That could go either way, but whatever the outcome is, it is great for democracy and open debate.

Who is best person for the title, who can be the Tories’ attack dog? The question has been occupying the blogosphere in the past few days. New Labour has their man Mandelson, Mandy AKA the Prince of Darkness. But does that mean the Tories need someone who is self serving and ruthless? Or someone who is sharp, always ready, and calm under pressure? If it’s the former then they are in trouble, but if it’s the later a couple of people come to mind. Boris Johnson is one of them, except he is the Mayor of London and therefore he is out. That leaves only one person, and the best man in my opinion for this task, David Davis, the former Shadow Home Secretary. Davis is the best kind of attack dog the Tories can have; because although he is not intimidating or aggressive he is still assertive and very prompt. He is also witty and relatable plus he is not afraid to laugh at himself, and that is a very useful quality to have for this role.

One problem though, he is still in the dog house for forcing that by-election in 2008. So much so, that even some of his closest allies and friends are dismissing the possibility of him becoming a frontbencher. But with the election fast approaching, the Conservatives need a front person who can be trusted to deliver the appropriate assault in a style and force that is suitable to the assault without someone holding their hand or worst they putting their foot in it. As for not being a frontbencher, I am positive there is enough talent in the conservative party to sort that one out.

Yesterday was the fourth anniversary of David Cameron becoming the leader of the Conservative Party, a little over four years ago he started his leadership journey a virtual unknown, and today he is the impressive leader that the party entrusted, with their first victory since 1992.

Mr. Cameron’s leadership was met with excitement and anticipation. Excitement at electing a leader who had a vision and a plan to bring the party from opposition wilderness into Downing Street, and anticipation of all the changes the party and the grassroots needed to make that vision become a reality.
After three consecutive defeats the Tories were thirsty for a win and Cameron became their hope. Following the 2005 general election he was encouraged to stand for the leadership contest by his wife Samantha after complaining that he was tired of losing. A modernizer, many people inside and outside the party thought his renewing agenda was a hard and steep hill to climb at best and a big gamble to take. But it was a hill and a gamble David Cameron knew he needed to face and take if he was to bring his party into the 21 century and take back the keys of Number 10.

His first task was forming his team, the shadow cabinet of all the talents; his front bench is made up of a representative and inclusive team that consist of old friends, new friends and even ideological opponents. His transformation did not stop there; he soon introduced his policies starting with the Environment where he tackled green issues that affected the globe, he developed radical Educational Reforms that will offer opportunity to all allowing every child a bright future, he developed polices in Security and Policing, Immigration and Transport. In four years he put together the frame work and foundation for a future conservative government that is attractive to voters on both sides of the political spectrum but most of all good for Britain.

Taking his modernization a step further he introduced the Priority List (‘A’ List) of candidates, this was a controversial move that did not sit well with all the grassroots but it has increased the number of selected women, black and ethnic minority candidates in safe, marginal and winnable seats. With his party greener, more inclusive and very representative of 21st century Britain, Cameron focused his attention in mending the country’s broken society and introduced family policies that encourage and supports couples and families to stay together, policies that put the family first.

In four years we learned a lot about the man who could possibly be Britain’s next Prime Minster. He cares about families and their well being, the environment and the future of the planet, the economy and Britain’s hope and security. He is cool, calm and keeps a level head under pressure. Cameron is a very accomplished and talented leader and after three consecutive defeats he is the first conservative leader that looks like a Prime Minster in waiting.
Happy fourth anniversary Mr. Cameron!

Last weekend I listened to the Saturday play ‘A Family Affair’ on Radio 4. It is a Michael Dobbs’ play that follows Margaret Thatcher’s last days in office seen from the perspective of her husband, Dennis, and her family.
The play was a moving and tender account of a momentous time in our history. Although fictional it was very real and raw in its interpretation of what took place behind the scenes in the corridors of power. Interesting as it was at times it was difficult to stomach.

But it got me thinking about Sir Dennis Thatcher who was played by Stephen Moore. Sir Thatcher was a rare and exceptional man; unlike many (even in the 21st century) he happily and comfortably took a back seat to advance his wife’s prospects. He did not care about being in her shadows, continuously and tirelessly supporting her with genuine love and encouragement always cheering her along the way. The popular saying; “behind every great man there is a great woman” can not easily translate to “behind every great woman there is a great man” except in Dennis Thatcher’s case it is a perfect fit.

Although the play was fictional, a dialogue between the great lady and Sir Dennis on their last visit to Chequers struck a note with me. The dialogue was heart warming, gentle and enduring but also true and very real; it actually mirrored vividly my image of Dennis Thatcher. What he said is a perfect description and illustration of how a lot of people will remember the great lady.
Enjoying her last hours as Prime Minster of Britain, she turned to him between sobs and said; “They destroyed me”.
He replied “You’ve won! In a few years every single one of that back stabbing pygmies you call a cabinet will be forgotten. And the only name they’ll remember will be yours. They can stick pins in you but can never touch your place in history. Every one over stays their welcome, of course they do, but it is what you did while you where there that matters. And what you did measures up against anyone who ever walked through those doors, Winston included. You are not losing Chequers or Downing Street; you’ll always be a part of it. You are Margret bloody Thatcher, first woman prime minister they can never take that away from you”

Brilliant, just brilliant, I could not help getting a little emotional and even had to fight back a tiny tear. She is most definitely and unequivocally the best prime minister our county had, and Dennis is right …they can never touch her place in history.

P.S. I apologise if I mistakenly mis-quoted the writer anywhere in the passage. If so, it was not intentional.