Letter: Mother does not always know best

Angela Samuels
Saturday 24 October 1992 18:02 EDT
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

THE headline on Neal Ascherson's column 'Maggie ruled like a despot - but at least she ruled' (18 October) highlights a significant factor affecting the present Government (if it can be dignified with such a title).

Ministers are suffering from the effects of having been overprotected during their political infancy by the domineering and overbearing figure of Margaret Thatcher.

Of the present Cabinet, few have had more than a couple of years of ministerial experience - those who 'grew up', as it were, very much under the thumb of a leader who was so convinced of her own correctness that anyone who disagreed with her policies was either dismissed or got out.

A good parent teaches and encourages children to accept responsibility and to direct their own lives. Lady Thatcher, with her policy of 'mother knows best' never gave anybody a chance to do this.

So, after 11 years of her oppressive regime, it is hardly surprising that nobody in the Conservative Party knows how to govern in a grown-up fashion.

Angela Samuels

Ilford, Essex

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in