Tory plan to water down Human Rights Act to protect ex-soldiers would turn UK into pariah, experts warn

Move could end in Britain leaving the European Convention on Human Rights altogether, prime minister told

Conservative plans to water down the Human Rights Act – to prevent prosecutions of soldiers accused of murders in Northern Ireland – will make the UK a pariah, the party has been warned.

The move could also lead to Britain leaving the European Convention on Human Rights altogether, at huge cost to the country’s reputation, legal experts said.

The backlash came after Boris Johnson pledged to end what the Tories call “unfair trials”, by banning inquests from returning verdicts of unlawful killings for deaths during the Troubles.

It would involve amending the HRA – the key legal route for families seeking to prove British state involvement in killings – to exclude any death in Northern Ireland before it came into force in October 2000.

But Dominic Grieve, the former attorney general, now running as an independent, attacked a confusing announcement that he suggested was simply “electioneering”.

“I am very sensitive to soldiers not being harassed about events that happened a long time ago, but the rule of law has to be upheld as well,” he told The Independent.

Amnesty International said: “All victims have the right to an independent investigation – that is a cornerstone of the rule of law throughout the world. “

And Mark Stephens, a solicitor specialising in human rights, said: “This sounds like clickbait for Tory voters.

“The UK has been a signatory of the European Convention on Human Rights since 1958 and if we want to remain part of that convention any amendment of domestic legislation will have to be compliant with it.”

The Tory pledge follows a long campaign by veterans’ groups which have protested that the law is being abused to hound retired soldiers years after the events in question took place.

But, under Article 2 of the ECHR, nations are obliged to carry out an effective official investigation into deaths where lethal force had been used against individuals by agents of the state.

Investigations using the inquest system have been used by families to try to prove that their loved ones were killed unlawfully.

Mr Grieve added: “If we seek to stop inquests, we may fall foul of Article 2 of the European Convention on Human Rights. And if we seek to interfere with prosecutions, well, I’m staggered that any government would consider it.”

He warned it could lead to leaving the ECHR altogether, adding: “That would be a very bad destination indeed, because we are one of the leading countries seeking to apply it to improve standards, not just in Europe, but around the world.”

Grainne Teggart, Amnesty International’s Northern Ireland campaign manager, added: “It is essential that no-one, including members of the Armed Forces, is above the law.

“Yet in preventing former soldiers from being prosecuted over killings and other abuses that took place during the Northern Ireland conflict, that is exactly where this would place them.”

Simon Coveney, the Irish foreign affairs minister, also criticised the plan, tweeting: “There is no statute of limitations, no amnesty for anyone who committed crimes in Northern Ireland.

“The law must apply to all, without exception, to achieve reconciliation.”

With many thanks to: The Independent and Rob Merrick Deputy Political Editor for the original story@Rob_merrick

Call for two-child limit on benifits

FAMILIES would only be able to claim bbenefits for two children under plans put forward by a member of David Cameron‘s policy board aimed at cutting billions of pounds off the Welfare Bill.

Tory MP Nadhim Zahawi wants to limit child benefit and child tax credits to families ‘first two children’ only!!!

The radical proposals set out by Tory MP Nadhim Zahawi would limit child bbenefit and tax credits to families’ first two children. Writing in the Mail on Sunday, he said capping benefits by family size would “save billions and help the next generation think more carefully about their relationship with the welfare state“. A family with three cchildren, with parents earning below £50,000 and so able to claim child benefit in full, would lose out on £696.00 by only being able to claim for two children. The Mail on Sunday Said those earning less than £30,000 will also be denied child tax credits worth £2,725 a year under the plan.

With many thanks to: The Irish News.

Tory MP, Nadhim Zahawi, Ally Of David Cameron, Calls For ‘Two Child Limit’ On Benefits (alternativenewsalert.com)
Plans would see child benefit and tax credits limited to two children (express.co.uk)
Tory MP who claims expenses to heat second home says child benefits should be cut for poor (mirror.co.uk)
Breaking News: ‘Two child limit’ call on benefits (crosbyherald.co.uk)
‘Two child limit’ call on benefits (standard.co.uk)
Plans would see child benefit and tax credits limited to two children (streetdemocracy.wordpress.com)
Government plans to limit child benefit and tax credit to first two children (standard.co.uk)

Haass proposals doomed to failure

The reason the British handed over responsibilty to Haass for the contentious matters is that there is no answer to the questions which unionists will accept

THREE weeks to go to Richard Haass‘s self-imposed deadline of Christmas. Unless, of course, it’s a misunderstanding and he’s talking about a different Christmas. Do you give him any chance of coming up with agreed proposals on flags, parades and the past? No? Nor does anyone else.

Fly the Irish Tricolour from Belfast City Hall

There are several worrying consequences about the current process some of which have already been looked at here. First, even if Haass were miraculously to pull even one rabbit out of his hat, legislation would be required. To further complicate it, the matter’s he’s concerned with all involve UK legislation at least. In the case of deaths and injuries during the Troubles the Irish government would have to be involved too. With the unionist parties already jostling each other about European election candidates, will they support the necessary legislation during the election campaign? No. As the British coalition government sees the election scheduled for May 7 2015 rushing ever closer the DUP will become more important. The treacherous lily-livered Lib-Dems will finally start to break away and oppose some Conservative legislation, particularly on economic and EU matters. Together with the Labour party they might defeat the Conservatives on some issues.

This is where the eight DUP MPs come in. Last week they were able to help the Conservatives defeat a backwoods Tory rebellion on plans to recruit reservists to replace full-time soldiers in return for raising the cap on numbers of recruits from the north. Watch the DUP come to David Cameron‘s rescue in 2014-5 if he dangles a bauble in frount of them. Even if Haass came up with something the parties at Stormont agree on, don’t expect it to go through Westminster unscathed. However, don’t hold your breath. The reason the British handed over responsibility to Haass for the contentious matters is that there is no answer to the questions which unionists will accept. It’s perfectly obvious that on the flags issue unionist leaders are too weak, cowardly and hypocritical to support a rational solution to flags on public buildings. Their hypocrisy stares them in the face every day at Stormont. As for anything vertical in unionist districts, there is no solution. It would be a cat and mouse operation with the police running around after loyalist squads replacing flags the police removed. Unionists do not accept the concept of a neutral space. They want to own Norn Irn. After all, didn’t the British give it them? Now they’re asking them to share it with Fenians on an equal footing. Hah.

There are wider consequences. Past experience has shown that only Westminister-legislated change will bring unionists to heel whether it was the 1985 Anglo-Irish Agreement or the 1998 Public Processions Act. This time there’ll be no Westminster legislation because Cameron might need the DUP in the short term. It’s not the first time a British government has bolstered unionist intransigence and it won’t be the last. It dosn’t matter what colour the government is; it depends on the proconsul for the time being. Peter Hain had little to recommend him but at least his threats of joint rule with Dublin or carving Norn Irn into three sub-regions concentrated unionst minds. This present government’s detachment and the rudderless performance of the present proconsul is sending republicans a dangerous message that unionists have a veto on all change, that Stormont as presently constituted does not function as a vehicle for change. The establishment of Haass as arbiter is not only evidence of British (and Irish) disengagement but is proof that by default they encourage unionist intransigence.The plain fact is that if unionists don’t like what Haass proposes they will be allowed to reject it and Sinn Fein can do nothing about it. Haass is there only because of the failure of the two governments to confront unionist resistance to change and their continual refusal to live on equal terms with the rest of the people on this island by recognising the legitimacy of the symbols and Irish identity of those in the north. The appointment of Haass is further evidence of Sinn Fein’s inadequacy as negotiators and their failure to see the big picture. The DUP is running rings aroud them.

With many thanks to: Brian Feeney, The Irish News.

Unionists reject Haass’s proposal for a new Northern Ireland flag (newsletter.co.uk)
Unionists regret US envoy Haass’ call for new flag for Northern Ireland (VIDEO) (irishcentral.com)
Find a neutral flag for all of Northern Ireland: Richard Haass issues challenge to parties (belfasttelegraph.co.uk)
Haass asks political parties for views on new NI flag (newsletter.co.uk)
Richard Haass in new talks as process reaches a key stage (belfasttelegraph.co.uk)

Britain’s Conservative Party has set out plans to escalate the government’s assault on welfare

Channel Islands Alternative Media Page

UK government set on deeper cuts to welfare

By Julie Hyland

20 July 2013

Earlier this week, Conservative Party chairman Grant Shapps said unemployed parents should only receive benefit for their first two children, meaning entitlement to child benefit and/or income support and other financial aid could potentially be removed for any children above that number.

Shapps claimed that the plan would place the unemployed on an “equal” footing with working parents. Unemployed parents who decide to have more than two children should “know that welfare is not going to fund that choice,” he said.

He suggested further restricting entitlement to housing benefit by barring all unemployed under-25-year-olds from access to the rent subsidy. Again, Shapps claimed that welfare benefit provided an “incentive” for unemployment. The proposal would affect some 380,000 jobless under-25-year-olds, forcing them to live with parents/friends or face homelessness.

Shapps’s comments came as the government’s cap on the amount of welfare benefits claimed by any household was rolled out across the country.

The scheme, first piloted in four London boroughs—Haringey, Enfield, Croydon and Bromley—means that no jobless household can receive more than £26,000 a year in benefit and other entitlements. It is part of a further £11.5 billion of cuts unveiled by the government in June. This comes on top of the £155 billion austerity measures already passed by the Conservative/Liberal Democrat coalition since its election in 2010. The government’s Spending Round in June for the first time covered a single financial year—2015/2016. It therefore tied any future government (the general election is due in 2015) to the reduction.

Shapps’s statements were once again justified on the grounds that cutting welfare is motivated by “fairness” to taxpayers, as it ensures that no jobless household will receive more than the national average wage, regardless of its family size or circumstances.

The pilot cap has already caused great hardship. Haringey Council reported that 740 families lost income during the trial, with just 34 people finding employment. The government’s own figures calculated that up to 56,000 families will be hit, losing an average of £93 a week, while in London, some 7,000 households will lose more than £100.

London and the south are especially affected by the cap due to high housing and living costs. Families are being forced out of the capital and into accommodation in northern England where rents are cheaper.

Amid reports that Work and Pensions secretary Iain Duncan Smith has requested additional time to legislate for further changes to welfare for next year’s parliamentary session, the government is said to be intending to reduce the benefit cap still further. Conservative MPs are reportedly demanding it should be cut to £20,000. In addition, the Forty Group of Conservative MPs—so-called because they represent constituencies with the slimmest majorities—is demanding benefits be withdrawn from teenage mothers and a host of other measures.

Teenage single mothers should no longer be automatically entitled to help with their housing costs, or be considered a priority for social housing, they argue. They propose deducting fines for school truancy from the child benefit paid to mothers, while restricting access to “repeat” abortions.

Those most affected by the cap—and the additional measures now being proposed—are children. According to the Children’s Society, children are seven times more likely than adults to face hardship as a result of the measures. Matthew Reed said 140,000 children, compared with 60,000 adults, “will pay the price as parents have less to spend on food, clothing and rent.”

The amount of money supposedly “saved” by such measures is paltry. Teenage single mothers account for just 2 percent of all single parents. Similarly, the benefit cap is estimated to reduce social security spending by just £110 million this year and £185 million in 2014, because the vast majority of people already receive far below the cap. Only in May, Duncan Smith was publicly reprimanded by the UK Statistic Authority for publishing misleading figures as the supposed success of the pilot benefit cap. In an open letter on behalf of the authority, Andrew Dilnot said Duncan Smith’s claims on the numbers finding work was “unsupported by…official statistics.”

The Tories’ moves are clearly punitive. They are aimed at stigmatising and punishing the unemployed, while legitimising a broader offensive against social rights—from welfare to education and health care.

Rolled out under the heading “Rewarding Work”, Duncan Smith once again sought to set “working” families, “paying their taxes”, against the jobless, arguing, “The days of blank cheque benefits and people milking the system are over.”

The measures have the wholehearted support of the media, which routinely demonises the unemployed and promotes propaganda blaming welfare costs for the squeeze on spending, enabling the Conservatives to claim that their plans are in response to “public” pressure.

Not a word is said about the criminal activities of the major banks and financial institutions, which are responsible for the biggest economic crisis in 70 years. Billions have been and continue to be paid out to the banks and super-rich, while the majority of the population are put on rations.

Unemployment is nearly 3 million, including more than 1 million out of work and not claiming benefits. Employment is scarce, with much of that available temporary and low-paid. That is why the majority of those on benefits are the “working poor”, those whose pay is so low they need additional state subsidies to survive. Even this bare minimum—which acts as a subsidy to employers—is now being scrapped as the ruling elite seek to overturn all the social gains made by the working class.

A central role is played by the Labour Party, which is committed to maintaining the coalition’s benefit cuts and introducing more of its own. It has jettisoned its verbal opposition to the benefit cap, arguing that it should be determined three years in advance and have a regional component.

This week, Labour attacked Conservative plans from the right, arguing that they were too soft on welfare. Labour’s Liam Byrne denounced the cap for not being hard enough because it would not affect those with very large families and would do nothing to prevent those “living a life on welfare.”

A single-tier “universal credit” comes into effect later this year, which will streamline existing benefits into one, with the obvious aim of further slashing welfare payments. Labour claims that design flaws will mean that single jobless households with seven or more children will “slip through the cap.”

Meanwhile, the Trussell Trust reported that the numbers of people being referred for food parcels increased in the three months since the government’s welfare measures began by 200 percent. The voluntary food aid network reported that more than half of the 150,000 people referred for emergency food aid between April and June were affected by benefit cuts and delays, and financial problems caused by changes to housing.

“The reality is that there is a clear link between benefit delays or changes and people turning to food banks, and that the situation has got worse in the last three months,” said Executive Chairman Chris Mould.

We’ll Cut The Benefit Cap By £6,000, Says Osborne (welfarenewsservice.com)
The things Iain Duncan Smith believes (guardian.co.uk)
UK government set on deeper cuts to welfare (rinf.com)
Daily Mail corrects misleading benefit statistics as DWP prepares for MPs’ grilling (newstatesman.com)
Iain Duncan Smith: Why he should look at himself before complaining about people living off the state (davidicke.com)
No benefit for your third child if you’re on the dole: Tories unveil controversial welfare plan (thisismoney.co.uk)

ARCHIVE PAPER REIGNITES HUNGER STRIKE DISPUTE !

AN ARCHIVE paper from the Margaret Thatcher Foundation containing handwritten notes from the former:-) British Prime Minister has reignited a dispute within Republicanism about whether the 1981 Hunger Strike could have been ended sooner.

Former Maze prisoner Richard O’Rawe said the publication of the document “removes all acmbiguity” and proves there was a “concrete offer” from the British government approved by the then Conservative prime minister in early July 1981. He has long insisted a proposal was relayed to prisoners in the Maze that could have ended the Hunger Strike, which had already claimed four lives and would lead to six more deaths. Mr O’Rawe(pictured below) acted as a public relations officer for the prisoners and has argued that inmates had accepted the British government’s offer but were overruled by an IRA committee on the outside, of which Gerry Adams and Danny Morrison were members, to maximise electoral success.

Documents previously released in London under the 30-year rule confirmed that Mrs Thatcher had approved a message to be relayed to the IRA leadership outlining concessions on prisoners’ demands such as clothing, food and parcels after they dropped a demand to be given prisoner-of-war status. Mr O’Rawe said the latest release by the Margaret Thatcher Foundation further proved his case. The document – entitled Hunger Strike: Message to the relayed through the channel – stated that the government wanted a satisfactory response to its proposal by 9am on July 7.

However, Danny Morrison, former Sinn Fein director of publicity, has again rejected Mr O’Rawe’s claim and maintained there was no concreate offer on the table in early July 1981. Mr Morrison said papers from both the British government and Brendan Duddy, who acted as an intermediary between the government and republicans, proved Mr Morrison had gone into the Maze to speak to IRA prisoners on July 5 without an offer. Mr Duddy did not receive information on the government’s position until late the following night, Mr Morrison insisted.

With many thanks to : Maeve Connolly, Irish News.

‘Thatcher’s Archive Finally Settles Dispute Over Hunger Strike Deal’, Says IRA Prison Leader (seachranaidhe1.wordpress.com)
British government offered to end hunger strikes in 1981 in return for IRA ceasefire (irishcentral.com)
‘Adams, Not Thatcher, Culpable For Last Six Hunger Strike Deaths’, Says Former IRA Prison Leader (seachranaidhe1.wordpress.com)
Margaret Thatcher was told ‘some’ IRA leaders wanted violence to stop in 1981 (irishtimes.com)
Thatcher papers disclose efforts to resolve 1981 hunger strikes (irishtimes.com)
Margaret Thatcher did give go-ahead for talks with republicans at the height of hunger strikes (belfasttelegraph.co.uk)
Thatcher Approved Secret Contact With Ira Over Hunger Strikes (belfastdaily.co.uk)

THATCHER ‘TERRIFIED’ IRA WOULD KILL HER !

New book reveals fear after deaths of hunger strikers.

MARGARET TThatcher was “terrified” the IRA would kill her, a new book about her life has revealed. The former British prime minister, dubbed ‘The Iron Lady‘, lived in fear that republicans would target her in retaliation for the deaths of the 10 (Brave Men) hunger strikers in 1981.

The new authorised biography also reveals that Baroness Thatcher once described North of Ireland nationalists as “traitors” because they wanted a United Ireland. Work on the book by Charles Moore, a former editor of the Spectator, Sunday Telegraph and Daily Telegrah, began work in 1997 on condition it would not be published until after the former Conservative leader’s death. The 87-year-old died after suffering a major stroke earlier last month. The book confirms that despite public denials, Lady Thatcher authorised contact with the Provisional IRA (Gerry Adams & Martin McGuinness) leadership during the Hunger Strike and gives details about failed negotiatoins to end the fast, hours before Joe McDonnell lost his life as the sixth prisoner to die. The author claims that in the aftermath of the Hunger Strike she felt “sad” and “admired the hunger strikers ‘ courage”. “You have to had it to some of these IRA boys,” she is reported to have said.

She also described them as “poor devils” and suggested they were forced to join the fast or “they’d be shot”. “What a waste. What a terrible waste of human life,” he said. While her veiw of the hunger strikers may come to a surprise to some, so to could be the vulnerabilty she felt in the face of IRA threats. The prime minister’s tough public image was reinforced when she pressed ahead with the 1994 Conservative Party Conference despite narrowly escaping injury when the IRA blew up the Grand Hotel in Brighton. Five people were killed and 31 injured during the attack.

With many thanks to : Connia Young, Irish News.

UK News: Call to halt Thatcher celebrations (birminghampost.net)
Margaret Thatcher’s secret admiration for IRA hunger strikers (telegraph.co.uk)
Thatcher papers disclose efforts to resolve 1981 hunger strikes (irishtimes.com)
British government offered to end hunger strikes in 1981 in return for IRA ceasefire (irishcentral.com)
Margaret Thatcher did give go-ahead for talks with republicans at the height of hunger strikes (belfasttelegraph.co.uk)
Shame Fein President Gerry Adams Denies Killings Role (seachranaidhe1.wordpress.com)

SHOULD THE BEEB PLAY IT ? CORPORATION EMBROILED IN DILEMMA OVER WHETHER TO AIR ” THE WITCH IS DEAD ” !

The BBC is coming under increasing pressure to say wheither it will play a song pushed into the charts celebratiing the death of Margaret Thatcher.

Corporation bosses say they have not yet decided whether to play Ding Dong The Witch Is Dead if anti-Thatcher protesters manage to get the song into Sunday’s singles chart.

But they insisted the charts were a “historical and factual” account of what music was being bought.

The Wizard of Oz track, sung by Judy Garland, is on course for a top five place after selling 20,000 copies since her death on Monday.

Veteran broadcaster Paul Gambaccini said it had to be played, because the charts are “the news in a musical sense” and that no explanation should be needed as to why the song was charting.

@jreedmp

Jamie Reed

Ding Dong in poor taste. Difficult for the BBC? Surely it has to play it? Shades of Reith and the General Strike if it censors? Difficult.

April 11, 2013 9:19 am via Twitter for iPad Reply Retweet Favorite

But Tory MP John Whittingdale, Thatcher’s former political secretary and chairman of the Commons Culture, Media and Sport committee, said it could present a “difficult” dilemma for the BBC.

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Whittingdale told The Huffington Post UK: “I very much hope the issue will not arise, in that I would be very saddened if a song which will be being promoted on the basis of celebrating the death of Margaret Thatcher should achieve success that would be sufficient to put it into the charts.

@GuidoFawkes

Guido Fawkes

Not a complicated editorial decision process for the BBC. “We are not going to play a song to celebrate the death of an 87 year-old woman.”

April 11, 2013 1:18 pm via TweetDeck Reply Retweet Favorite

“I think it would be difficult if that were the case, but I hope we’re talking about an academic issue, not an actual one.”

But another Tory MP, Rob Wilson, said Thatcher would not have wanted to censor the “nasty idiots” behind the campaign.

@RobWilson_RDG

Rob Wilson

While unpleasant, #BBC right to play leftie-hate song reMrsT. She didn’t free millions of pple in order to censor a tiny no. of nasty idiots

April 11, 2013 2:32 pm via Twitter for iPhone Reply Retweet Favorite

Gambaccini, who presented the US chart on BBC Radio 1 for 18 years, said: “There is no reason not to play it.

“The whole basis of the Sunday chart show is that it is the pop music equivalent of the news. You don’t have to introduce every song with enthusiasm, you just play them.”

Celebrities and politicians on guest list for Thatcher funeral

There have been suggestions that the presenter could explain to younger listeners why the song was being played – but Gambaccini said this would be “precedent-setting.”

“I am sure every 13-year-old in the country is aware that there’s an internet campaign – they are on Facebook every day.”

Record label-founder and music journalist Andy Ross said BBC bosses would be having “sleepless nights.”

“This is a classic rock-and-a-hard-place situation, one which the producers at the beeb have – in a King Canute stance – chosen to defer until this Sunday, when they are having a summit.”

He added: “I think it’s enough to announce the track on the chart run-down, but is it worth the grief of actually playing it?

“I think the majority of other music stations won’t mention it at all, but in the case of a public-funded entity such as the BBC, they should play it on the chart rundown.”

A BBC Radio 1 spokesman said: “The Official Chart Show on Sunday is a historical and factual account of what the British public has been buying and we will make a decision about playing it when the final chart positions are clear.”

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Margaret Thatcher – General Election

Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher leaving 10 Downing Street after the Conservative Party won a convincing majority in the General Election.

Denis and Margaret Thatcher

Baroness Margaret Thatcher reunited with her husband Sir Denis Thatcher, this afternoon when he returned home after spending the last few weeks recovering from his six-hour coronary by-pass operation. * Sir Denis the husband of former Conservative Prime Minister Baroness Thatcher, who is 87-years-old, said he was looking forward to a relaxing weekend in their home in Belgravia, West London. 15/6/03: His family said that the 88-year-old had been readmitted to the Royal Brompton Hospital in London for tests following major heart surgery in January. *30/10/03: Baroness Thatcher will be joined by her twin children, Carol and Mark, at a memorial service to pay tribute to her late husband, Sir Denis Thatcher. Sir Denis died in June, aged 88 having undergone major heart surgery six months earlier from which it appeared he had made a good recovery.

141666717

David Montgomery/Getty Images)British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, circa 1985. (Photo by David Montgomery/Getty Images) (Photo by David Montgomery/Getty Images)

Politics – Helmut Kohl Visit – Chequers, Buckinghamshire

Margaret Thatcher and Chancellor Helmut Kohl of West Germany at ease in the grounds as they had three hours of ‘relaxed and very friendly’ talks at Chequers, the Prime Minister’s country residence. They agreed more emphasis should be laid on the warmth of Anglo-German relations.

Thatcher and David Cameron meet for dinner

Baroness Thatcher and Conservative leader David Cameron meet for dinner at the Goring Hotel in Victoria, south-west London.

Order of the Garter ceremony

Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh sit with the Knights and Ladies of the Garter in the Waterloo Room at Windsor Castle before a Garter Service at St George’s Chapel in the castle grounds. * The Knights and Ladies of The Most Noble Order of the Garter are, from left: front row, The Duke of Grafton, The King of Spain, The Queen of Denmark, The Duke of Gloucester, The Princess Royal, The Duke of Edinburgh, The Queen, The Prince of Wales, The Duke of Kent, Grand Duke Jean of Luxembourg, The Queen of the Netherlands, The King of Norway. Second row; Page of Honour The Honorable John Bowes-Lyon, Sir Edward Heath, The Duke of Devonshire, Lord Sainsbury of Preston Candover, The Duke of Wellington, The Chancellor Lord Carrington, Lord Richardson of Duntisbourne, Lord Bramall, Viscount Ridley, Lord Kingsdown, Baroness Thatcher, Page of Honour Lord Carnegie. Third row; Lord Inge, The Duke of Abercorn, Lord Ashburton, Sir Edmund Hilary, Sir Timothy Coleman, Sir William Gladstone and Sir Anthony Acland.

Royalty – State Visit of Queen Beatrix – 10 Downing Street

Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands (l) and Prince Claus (2nd from right) with Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher at 10 Downing Street.

Politics – PM Margaret Thatcher – Clydach Vale, Rhondda Valley

Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher with Welsh Secretary Peter Walker at Clydach Vale in Rhondda Valley, where she saw derelict land being reclaimed as part of a factory development.

Royalty – Queen Beatrix and Margaret Thatcher – London

Queen Beatrix and Prince Claus of the Netherlands meet with Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher at Downing Street during their state visit to Britain.

Margaret Thatcher’s papers

File photo dated 17/06/07 of Margaret Thatcher and the Duke of York as a hand-written note by Lady Thatcher appears to show how she grappled with her response to the Duke of York’s deployment as part of the Falklands task force.

Margaret Thatcher’s papers

EMBARGOED TO 0001 FRIDAY MARCH 22 File photo dated 01/10/88 of Prime Minster Margaret Thatcher with Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe as Lady Thatcher’s 1982 private papers include a number of brief mentions of figures who would go on to play a significant role in public and political life. They include an early meeting with Robert Mugabe, who had been elected as Prime Minister of Zimbabwe in 1980.

Margaret Thatcher Lays Flowers at Bradford City Fire Site

Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, watched by her husband Denis, lays a wreath among the hundreds of other floral tributes near the turn stile area of the Bradford City football ground, Yorkshire, where many of the 52 victims of the tragedy were found.

Dutch Royalty – Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands and Prince Claus – 10 Downing Street – London

During the second day of their State visit to Britain, Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands and Prince Claus are greeted by Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher at 10 Downing Street, London, for luncheon.

Politics – Thatcher Education Secretary – 1970

Conservative MP Margaret Thatcher (the future British Prime Minister), Secretary of State for Education and Science.

Politics – Thatcher wedding day – 1951

Unsuccessful Conservative candidate for Dartford, Margaret Hilda Roberts, 26, on the day of her wedding to Denis Thatcher at Wesley’s Chapel, in London.

Politics – Conservative Women’s Conference – 1973

A popular event in the two-day programme of the Conservative Women’s Conference was the address on education by Margaret Thatcher, Education Secretary.

Thatcher and the Red Army Dancers.

Margaret Thatcher enjoying a chat with dancers from the Red Army Ensemble — Moscow Military District, at the Royal Albert Hall.

Politics – Thatcher Wedding Day – 1951

Unsuccessful Conservative candidate for Dartford, Margaret Roberts, 26, at her wedding to 36-year-old Denis Thatcher at Wesley’s Chapel, in London.

Politics – Conservative Party Conference – Blackpool – 1970

Prime Minister, Edward Heath sports a smile which lasted during a three-minute ovation he received at the opening of the annual Conservative conference at the Winter Gardens. Sharing the platform with him is Margaret Thatcher, Secretary for Education and Science.

Politics – Margaret Thatcher – 1975

Margaret Thatcher, Conservative MP, receives a kiss from her husband Denis.

Politics – Margaret Thatcher – 1975

Conservative Party leader Margaret Thatcher, at working her office at the House of Commons.

Politics – Margaret Thatcher – 1975

Conservative MP Margaret Thatcher, 49, in her Chelsea home kitchen, before making her challenge for the Conservative Party leadership and a place in political history.

Politics – Thatcher and Reagan – 1975

Former California Governor Ronald Reagan presenting a silver dollar medallion to Opposition Leader Margaret Thatcher when he visited her in her House of Commons office.

Politics – Conservative Local Government Conference – 1979

Margaret Thatcher speaking at the Conservative Local Government Conference at Caxton Hall, London, when she angrily accused the Government of having tried to whip up non-existent emotions in the referendum campaigns.

Politics – Margaret Thatcher – Shadow Education Secretary – 1969

Margaret Thatcher, spokesperson on Education in the Conservative Shadow Cabinet, at the Houses of Parliament.

Politics – General Election 1979

Margaret and Denis Thatcher get away from it all with their 25-year-old twins, Mark and Carol, by strolling through the grounds of Scotney Castle, Kent where Mrs Thatcher has a National Trust flat. She is relaxing before the battle ahead to become the first female Prime Minster.

Politics – Margaret Thatcher – Chelsea, London

Conservative Party leader Margaret Thatcher in a jubilant mood outside her Chelsea home, after Tory victories in by-elections at two former Labour strongholds – Workington and Walsall North.

Silver wedding anniversary.

Margaret and Denis Thatcher with their children, Mark and Carol, at their Chelsea home on the day of their silver wedding anniversary.

Margaret Thatcher’s papers

File photo dated 26/4/1982 of Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. Wide divisions within the Conservative party over how the Government should respond to Argentina’s invasion of the Falklands are revealed today as Margaret Thatcher’s 1982 private papers are made public.

Politics – Margaret Thatcher – Vacuum Interrupters Ltd – 1981

Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher wears protective clothing as she tours the premises of Vacuum Interrupters Ltd.

Politics – General Election 1979

Margaret Thatcher waves from the doorstep of Number 10 Downing Street in Whitehall, London, on the day of the General Election.

Politics – General Election 1979

Conservative leader Margaret Thatcher in a thoughtful mood when she hosted her party’s press conference in London, as the 1979 General Election campaign entered its final week.

Politics – First Female Prime Minister – Downing Street – 1979

Britain’s first women Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher arrives at no.10 Downing Street to take up office following the Conservative victory in the general election.

Politics – Conservative Party Conference – Blackpool – 1979

A jubilant Margaret Thatcher acknowledging the standing ovation after her speech on the final day of the Conservative Party Conference at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool.

Thatcher Falkland Island surrender talks

Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher facing an enthusiastic reception from well-wishers outside No 10 Downing Street, in London, on her return from the Commons, where she told MPs talks on a surrender by Argentina of the Falkland Islands were in progress.

Margaret Thatcher in garland.

Margaret Thatcher addressing a crowd at Stoneleigh near Coventry wearing a garland presented to her by an Asian constituent.

Politics – General Election 1983

Margaret Thatcher with her husband Denis greets supporters at a rally in Fleetwood during her campaign visit of the North West.

Politics – Conservative Party Conference – Blackpool – 1977

Conservative party leader Margaret Thatcher with 16 year old Rother Valley schoolboy, William Hague, after he received a standing ovation from delegates at the Conservative Party conference in Blackpool.

Margaret Thatcher won a landslide victory

10th JUNE: On this day in 1983 Margaret Thatcher won a landslide victory to start her second term of power. The window of success frames the jubilant Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher waving to well-wishers after her election win. At Tory Party headquarters, she told flag-waving supporters “My victory is greater than I had dared to hope”.

Politics – Thatcher and Tongan king – 1983

Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher looks pensive as she awaits the arrival of King Taufa’ahau Tupou IV of Tonga at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in London.

Politics – General Election 1983

Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher returning to 10 Downing Street after winning the election. Instead of entering her official residence, she insisted on walking to the end of the street and the corner of Whitehall to shake hands with well-wishers.

Politics – Reagan and Thatcher – 1984

Ronald Reagan has a word in the ear of Margaret Thatcher on the day that Thatcher becomes the longest-serving Prime Minister in the 20th century.

Politics – Thatcher and Reagan – 1984

Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, left, with American President Ronald Reagan and his wife Nancy.

Politics – Channel Tunnel Agreement – Canterbury Cathedral – 1986

Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher with French President Francois Mitterrand at the Chapter House, Canterbury Cathedral, when the Channel Fixed Link Treaty was signed by the foreign secretaries.

Politics – General Election 1987

Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher gives a three-fingered salute outside 10 Downing Street as she begins her third successive term of office following the Conservative victory in the general election.

Margaret Thatcher and Francois Mitterand – Channel Tunnel

Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and French President Francois Mitterand at Canterbury Cathedral for the signing of the Channel Fixed Link Treaty.

Politics – Economic Summit Banquet – London

Left to right: Queen Elizabeth II, American President Ronald Reagan and British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher at Buckingham Palace when they attended a special banquet hosted by the Queen following the London Economic Summit.

Politics – 250th Anniversary of the Prime Minister’s office – Downing Street, London

Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher is joined by Queen Elizabeth II and five former PMs at 10 Downing Street, London, as she hosts a dinner celebrating the 250th anniversary of the residence becoming the London home of Prime Ministers. (L-R) James Callaghan, Lord Home, Thatcher, Lord Stockton, the Queen, Lord Wilson and Edward Heath.

Politics – Margaret Thatcher – Victory Ball – 1987

Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and her husband Denis lead off the dancing during the Victory Ball at the Empress Hall, Blackpool.

Politics – Margaret Thatcher 10 Years in Power – Downing Street, London

Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and her husband Denis on the doorstep of 10 Downing Street, London, ten years after they moved in, following the 1979 general election.

Politics – Thatcher and Family – Downing Street – 1989

Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher outside 10 Downing Street, in London, with her son Mark, daughter-in-law Diane, and two-month-old grandson Michael.

GREAT NEWS THE BITCH THATCHER IS DEAD

You have Irish blood on your hands

God bless the ten brave men who defeated the so-called Iron Lady.

Margaret Thatcher, Britain’s 1st female PM, dies at 87 from stroke (ctvnews.ca)
Former UK Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher Dead At 87 (mediaite.com)
Former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher dies at 87 (rawstory.com)
Margaret Thatcher dies (rt.com)
Margaret Thatcher, former prime British prime minister, dies at 87 (thestar.com)

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The reason the British handed over responsibilty to Haass for the contentious matters is that there is no answer to the questions which unionists will accept

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This website is completely a freelance website all of the news on this site is brought to you personally by me with no donations. I would like to request for personal donations to help me keep it up and running. please consider donating £5 https://www.paypal.me/KevinMeehan

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This website is completely a freelance website all of the news on this site is brought to you personally by me with no donations. I would like to request for personal donations to help me keep it up and running. please consider donating £5 https://www.paypal.me/KevinMeehan

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New book reveals fear after deaths of hunger strikers.

This website is completely a freelance website all of the news on this site is brought to you personally by me with no donations. I would like to request for personal donations to help me keep it up and running. please consider donating £5 https://www.paypal.me/KevinMeehan

Like this:

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This website is completely a freelance website all of the news on this site is brought to you personally by me with no donations. I would like to request for personal donations to help me keep it up and running. please consider donating £5 https://www.paypal.me/KevinMeehan

Like this:

You have Irish blood on your hands

God bless the ten brave men who defeated the so-called Iron Lady.

Related articles

This website is completely a freelance website all of the news on this site is brought to you personally by me with no donations. I would like to request for personal donations to help me keep it up and running. please consider donating £5 https://www.paypal.me/KevinMeehan

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