Ex-Home Secretary Suella Braverman has piled in on BBC Woman’s Hour after another impartiality row erupted on the 50th anniversary of Margaret Thatcher becoming Tory leader.
The Iron Lady, who succeeded Ted Heath as Leader of the Oppposition in February 1975, went on to become the longest-serving Prime Minister in modern British history.
Thatcher’s three terms in Downing Street split the nation, with many Red Wall seats still loathing the ex-Prime Minister at the time of her death in 2013.
However, a 2021 poll found that 44 per cent of Britons believe Thatcher did a “good job”, with 35 per cent disapproving of the Iron Lady’s record.
Responding to the lack of coverage on BBC Woman’s Hour, Baroness Jenkin said: “Great to hear that BBC Woman’s Hour will be commemorating 40 years of Eastenders but disappointing there is no marking of the election of Margaret Thatcher as leader of the Conservatives 50 years ago today.
“Whatever you think or thought of her she was an inspiration to women.”
Braverman, who voiced support for scrapping the licence fee, added: “Very disappointing that BBC Woman’s Hour refuses to acknowledge Mrs Thatcher’s phenomenal achievement 50 years ago today.”
GB News marked the anniversary of Thatcher’s leadership victory throughout its coverage yesterday.
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The People’s Channel detailed Thatcher’s record, ranging from the 1984/5 Miners’ Strike to the controversial poll tax protests.
Political reporter Adam Cherry said: “Margaret Thatcher isn’t everyone’s cup of tea.
“But 50 years on from her election, as the first female leader of the Conservative Party, the fact that she is still at the centre of political conversation is perhaps her strongest legacy.”
Thatcher would go on to be idolised by a number of other female Tory leaders, including current Leader of the Opposition Kemi Badenoch.
During yesterday’s anniversary coverage, ex-Brexit Minister Jacob Rees-Mogg also paid tribute to the Iron Lady.
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Speaking in his State of the Nation show, the former Tory MP said: “Today marks 50 years since Margaret Thatcher became leader of the Conservative Party, the first female leader of a major political party in the Western world.
“When she became the Tory leader in February 1975, few could have predicted the fundamental impact she would have not just on Britain but on the world stage, going on to win three consecutive general elections.
“She was a revolutionary force who embodied conviction politics at its finest.
“As she famously declared, ‘I am not a consensus politician. I am a conviction politician’.
“Margaret Thatcher’s journey to the top was anything but easy and happened in spite of widespread scepticism, even from her own beloved husband Dennis, who muttered ‘Heath, will murder you’.
But the then Mrs. Thatcher was never one to back down from a challenge. She thrived on debate and dissent, stating with characteristic confidence, ‘I love argument, I love debate. I don’t expect anyone just to sit there and agree with me. That’s not their job.’
“In the eyes of many, it was her refusal to conform that made her such a formidable force.
“Her premiership, beginning in 1979, was marked by groundbreaking policies that changed the face of the United Kingdom.
“From the sale of council houses to privatisation to a crackdown on the trade unions, she reshaped the economy and society, waging a lifelong battle against the evils of socialism.”
GB News viewers also expressed mixed views on the Iron Lady.
Dorothy remembered Thatcher as the “milk snatcher”, while Chris shared his adoration for the Iron Lady “saving the Falklands”.
Meanwhile, Jill said she “hated” Thatcher and Anthony contrasted the Iron Lady’s stature to Ashley Dalton’s “llama” comment.
The People’s Channel has approached the BBC for comment.
