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While Thatcher cared about the common ground, she knew it wasn't the liberal 'centre-ground'. I see this whenever I re-read MT's speeches/interviews. MT had great surety of purpose, but also true clarity of audience. She was a conviction not a catch-all politician. 1/8
MT was confident in her ideas, and also confident that when properly conveyed with persuasive argument and example, they would cut through. She faced huge up-hill battles against a Wet one nation political establishment wedded to declinist consensus thinking & public policy. 2/8
MT knew that conservative & classical liberal ideas in regard to individuality, hard work, personal responsibility, free enterprise, and pride in family and nation would resonate. As a result, MT wasn't troubled by media & chattering classes pearl-clutching over her policies. 3/8
MT knew her audience. She understood the impusles of the public and that there was a vocal portion of the middle class vote that would never vote for her even as they significantly benefited from her governing approach. She wasn't fixated on polls, perceptions,& media cycles 4/8
Instead of trying to operate as a "catch-all" leader, fretting on how people on the centre-left would portray her policies to voters, & trying to curry favour by adopting their language, MT chose to get on with reforming the country in line with a clearly articulated vision. 5/8
Instead of trying to triangulate + soften her agenda so as not to ruffle feathers, MT would explain & doggedly defend her policies. She knew she couldn't achieve all her goals and so would shrewdly soft-peddle on some issues like NHS reform. But overwhelmingly she led boldly. 6/8
Crucially Mrs Thatcher wasn't afraid to say "no" and stick to it, even as the sparks flew. If an issue cropped up in the national eye where demands for government action or a government stance contradicted her governing agenda and electoral strategy she would say no, firmly. 7/8
Thatcher thrived as a transformative Prime Minister because she refused to be governed by opinion polls & media cycles. Rather than accept + operate within the constraints of a lowest common denominator consensus, she chose and resolutely walked the hard road of reform. 8/8
