Thatcher Death Brings Tributes—and Street Parties

UK's first female PM as divisive as ever
By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff
Posted Apr 9, 2013 3:43 AM CDT

The death of Margaret Thatcher brought glowing tributes to the former British prime minister from world leaders, but the reaction in her homeland highlights the divisive nature of her 11-year rule, Reuters reports. News of her death was soon followed by street parties in Glasgow and in Brixton, a part of south London shaken by riots in the '80s. "Thatcher herself, she represents so much of what people hate about what has happened to Britain in the last 20, 30 years," said one Brixton reveler as others shouted, "She's dead."

Britain's media were also sharply divided in reacting to her death, the New York Times reports, with some outlets praising her union-busting, pro-business policies and others lamenting their effect on society. Thatcher "broke Britain and replaced what had come before with something crueler, nastier," said the left-leaning Daily Mirror, while the Telegraph and Daily Mail praised the "woman who saved Britain." Authorities plan to give Thatcher a ceremonial funeral with military honors next week—while her opponents plan a celebration in London's Trafalgar Square. (More London stories.)

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