Margaret Thatcher: Loved and loathed - Leicestershire remembers Britain's first woman Prime Minister

Margaret Thatcher, who died yesterday, aged 87, was "the ultimate Marmite politician". That description, by North West Leicestershire Conservative MP Andrew Bridgen, seemed to sum up a politician who polarised opinion like no other. "People either loved her or hated her, but it's the end of an era and she will never be forgotten," said Mr Bridgen. Reacting to her death, after a stroke, supporters remembered the Iron Lady as an outstanding leader, opponents as their worst enemy. Flags were flown at half mast in Downing Street and at Buckingham Palace yesterday. A full ceremonial funeral will be held at St Paul's Cathedral. In Leicester, city councillor Ross Grant said: "Margaret Thatcher made you feel like politics mattered in a way no other politician has since. "Politics was a battle of ideas and opinions and it was clear what she stood for. "There was an urgency and gravitas that seems lacking in modern politics. "As a country, we were looking into an abyss and she pulled us back from it and gave us the confidence to think we could do great things again. "I really believe Britain is a better, freer place now because of Margaret Thatcher." De Montfort University politics lecturer Professor Colin Copus said: "Thatcher made an impression in politics for so many different reasons. She was someone who was loved and loathed in equal measure. "Whatever you thought about her, nobody ever said 'oh, she's all right' – you got either deep loathing or reverence. "Thatcher never had the desire to be all things to all people, as so many politicians do today. "She said 'this is what I stand for – you either stand for me or against me'. In many respects, politics has lost a lot of colour since her day." Harborough MP Sir Edward Garnier said: "Without doubt Margaret Thatcher was the greatest peacetime Prime Minister of the 20th century. "Certainly controversial, and to many she was a figure of hatred, but she saved our country from decline and gave us the confidence to stand up for ourselves. "Domestically, she brought down inflation and unemployment, curbed the unaccountable powers of the trade unions, introduced privatisation, enabled council tenants to buy their homes, increased popular shareholding and reduced the role of the state." Rutland and Melton Tory MP Alan Duncan said: "She turned this country around and displayed political courage and determination both in domestic and foreign affairs. "A younger generation today should appreciate what she did for the country." UKIP East Midlands MEP Derek Clark said: "We are all the poorer for the loss of Lady Thatcher. Everyone, regardless of which side they are on the political divide, will agree she was a great patriot." Leicester South Labour MP Jon Ashworth said: "A lot of people in Leicestershire went through a terrible time as a result of the miners' strike and it obviously gave rise to very strong feelings. "But I recognise she was an extraordinary women whose impact is still being felt today."

---

• RELATED CONTENT In Pictures: Margaret Thatcher in LeicestershireBREAKING: Former Prime Minister Baroness Thatcher dies Margaret Thatcher: a profile of the lady who wasn't for turning Top 10 Margaret Thatcher quotesMargaret Thatcher dies: Tributes to the Iron Lady

---

Reactions to the death of Baroness Thatcher Baroness Thatcher was a divisive figure throughout her time as Prime Minister which is reflected in the reaction on Twitter following the announcement. And Lord Sugar tweeted: "Margaret Thatcher died today. A great lady she changed the face of British politics, created opportunity for anyone to succeed in the UK. RIP."BBC Business editor Robert Peston said: "For my generation, hard to imagine a world without Margaret Thatcher. We still define ourselves by whether we were for or against her." TV celebrity Stephen Fry @stephenfry said: "Was in the air when the news came in about Margaret Thatcher. Such a force in Britain through my university days through to my 30s."David Cameron expressed his thoughts on Twitter:

"It was with great sadness that l learned of Lady Thatcher's death. We've lost a great leader, a great Prime Minister and a great Briton"

— UK Prime Minister (@Number10gov) April 8, 2013

The Mayor London Boris Johnson tweeted:

Very sad to hear of death of Baroness Thatcher.Her memory will live long after the world has forgotten the grey suits of today's politics.

— Boris Johnson (@MayorofLondon) April 8, 2013

And One Direction star Harry Styles shared his thoughts:

RIP Baroness Thatcher .x

— Harry Styles (@Harry_Styles) April 8, 2013

Maggie Thatcher has died. Suppose history will judge her now...

— Joseph Barton (@Joey7Barton) April 8, 2013

Love her or hate her, few British Prime Ministers in history were so well known, or so admired, here in America. #Thatcher

— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) April 8, 2013

In 1981 some Tories questioned Baroness Thatcher's policies and at the 1980 Conservative Party conference, Thatcher addressed the issue directly, with a famous speech written by the playwright Ronald Millar.

---

ELECTION VICTORIES: How the Mercury reported Maggie's triumphs at the polls.In 1979...IN 1983...IN 1987...