By David C. Jennings ——Bio and Archives--April 8, 2013
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It was, however, Airey Neave, a significant confidant, who told Thatcher “if you want to change the party, if you want to change the country, then lead it.” When Argentina invaded the Falkland Islands in 1982, Thatcher called the Argentinean Junta – “a fascist gang”, and said, “this cannot be tolerated, I will not negotiate with criminals and thugs.” When confronted with the cost of reclamation she responded, “Cost – we can’t worry about it. We will stand on principle or we will not stand at all. Right will prevail over wrong, despite much sacrifice.” It was this brazen style that accomplished much but also ruffled the feathers of those without conviction. In a famous showdown with fellow Conservative Michael Heseltine (who would later challenge her for party leadership), He pushed for moderation of policies, “if we’re even to have a chance to win the next election”, to which Thatcher retorted “worried about our careers, are we”? Gone from much of the politics of the West is the courage of conviction. The willingness to say what needs to be said and the advocacy of what needs to be done. Too often politicians like Heseltine concern themselves with their degree of electability, their favorability ratings, and their marketability as sages of solution. Thatcher’s friend Airey Neave was assassinated by the IRA in 1979. They tried to kill her with a bomb at a Brighton hotel 4 years later. Hatred follows those who stand for the truth. It does take courage to stand for what you believe, for what is right. It’s a lesson that many politicians need to learn. It’s easy when the media and public opinion support you, but what to do when the hard choices need to be made for the greater good that short-sighted spectacles cannot focus on. The lessons of Thatcherism stand the test of time. They are largely espoused in the “Tea Party” movement, and to some extent by UKIP in the UK. Above all, we must learn to, as Mrs. Thatcher so ably put it, “stand on principle or not stand at all.”Evil has never been so patient as it is today. It used to be about doing something, now it’s about trying to be someone. Someone must force the point and say the unsayable. Americans – they are unafraid of success, not what has been, but by what can be. Small Business is the backbone of our nation critical for the future. We did not win the election in order to mange its decline. Our policies might be unpopular, but they are right. The Trade Unions movement was founded to protect workers, now it persecutes them, stops them from working, it is killing jobs. If we don’t cut spending we will be bankrupt. Yes, the medicine is harsh, but the patient requires it in order to live.
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David Jennings is an ex-pat Brit. living in California.
A Christian Minister he advocates for Traditional & Conservative causes.
David is also an avid fan of Liverpool Football Club and writes for the supporters club in America
David Jennings can be found on Twitter
His blog can be read here