I AGREE with recent criticisms about domestic policies pursued by Margaret Thatcher when she became Prime Minister in 1979, which were were very unpopular with the electorate as a whole.

The turning point for her was the Falklands war and her recognition that most people in this country wanted Britain to be great, and who were annoyed when we gave ground to colonial liberation movements throughout the Empire.

The spirit of imperialism, provided it is British Imperialism, is deep in the psychology of many, and it crosses the boundaries of political party loyalty.

We found with Mrs Thatcher that the Iron Lady title given to her by the Soviet leaders was one she prized herself and it enabled her to draw support that may not have been available to other Conservatives.

I was opposed to all she stood for, but it was obvious when I canvassed for Labour in elections and listened to what people were saying on their doorsteps that they wanted Britain to be the world’s greatest power and for it to be subject to discipline and national unity only possible in a war situation.

Geoffrey Bulmer, Billingham.

THIRTY years have passed since Margaret Thatcher came to power (Echo, May 4) and it is the things she said at the time that I remember.

She knew that Britain, as a manufacturing and trading nation in 1979, was notoriously inefficient and on the hustings she promised to reverse this.

She said the Conservatives would do whatever was necessary to make our country great again.

It was inspirational speech-making that found favour with the electorate and former Labour MP Brian Walden said that she deserved to win.

LD Wilson, Guisborough, East Cleveland.