The Iron Lady who divided a nation

LOVE her or loathe her, one thing is beyond dispute: Margaret Thatcher transformed Britain.

The Iron Lady ruled for 11 remarkable years and imposed her will on a fractious, rundown nation — breaking the unions, triumphing in a far-off war, and selling off state industries at a record pace. She left behind a leaner government and more prosperous nation by the time a mutiny ousted her from No 10 Downing St.

For admirers, Thatcher was a saviour who rescued Britain from ruin and laid the groundwork for an extraordinary economic renaissance. For critics, she was a heartless tyrant who ushered in an era of greed that kicked the weak out onto the streets and let the rich become filthy rich.