Prime Minister
Margaret Thatcher (1925–2013)
Margaret Thatcher was Britain's first female Prime Minister, whose Conservative governments of 1979 to 1990 transformed the economy, took on the trade unions, and fought the Falklands War.
First Female Prime Minister
Thatcher became leader of the Conservative Party in 1975 and led it to victory in the 1979 general election, becoming Britain's first — and, to date, only — female Prime Minister. She went on to win two further elections in 1983 and 1987, serving until 1990.
Known as "the Iron Lady," a nickname originally coined by a Soviet newspaper, she was widely seen as a determined and uncompromising leader who was willing to take controversial decisions.
Economic Reforms and the Falklands
Her governments privatised many industries that had been taken into public ownership — including British Telecom, British Gas, and British Airways — and reformed the trade unions, reducing their power through legislation. These changes were deeply controversial but had a lasting impact on the British economy.
In 1982 Argentina invaded the Falkland Islands, a British Overseas Territory in the South Atlantic. Thatcher ordered a military task force to retake them. The campaign was swift and successful, boosting her popularity significantly.
Key facts for the test
- Lived from 1925 to 2013
- Britain's first female Prime Minister
- Conservative Prime Minister 1979–1990
- Known as "The Iron Lady"
- Privatised nationalised industries
- Reformed trade unions
- Won the Falklands War against Argentina in 1982