From Dr Martyn
Halsall
Sir, - A snatch of historic
newsreel and the ludicrous spiritualism-with-hagiography film
The Iron Lady hardly offer sufficient evidence for the
defence of Margaret Thatcher which was attempted by Canon Angela
Tilby (Comment, 19
April).
If Canon Tilby honestly
wishes to assess the feminist impact of Lady Thatcher's policies,
she should exchange Oxford cloisters for discussions with women in
the former coalfield communities that Thatcher savaged as "the
enemy within".
Nor should she confuse
political passion with misogyny or hatred. Thatcher and Thatcherism
were motivated by a calculating cynicism about the human condition
which Christians should oppose, because their faith includes God's
alternative potential. Theologically, it cashed in on the Fall,
exploiting human selfishness for political power by elevating
individual greed - notably through privatisation - above communal
concern.
Christian opposition to
Thatcherism was profound, and should continue. Her legacy includes
the arrogant incompetence of the Cameron Coalition. A Christian
theologian should not just write "That's it," among lengthening
dole queues, guerilla warfare against education and the NHS, and a
Government-sponsored gulf between the needy and the
over-privileged.
Christians should be praying
and working for the healing of our deeply divided country in the
aftermath of Lady Thatcher's funeral. The gun carriage may have
been returned to the stable, but the child born in a stable
continues to inspire an alternative Kingdom.
MARTYN HALSALL
The Vicarage, Bridekirk
Cockermouth CA13 0PE
From the Revd Hugh
Wright
Sir, - I never much liked
Margaret Thatcher, but I appreciated her funeral and the
affectionate words of her friend the Bishop of London, who was
doing only what most clergy do at most funerals, that is, speaking
of the best in a person.
I also appreciated Canon
Angela Tilby's words about her in last week's Church
Times, which drew to mind the supercilious prejudice held
against her by many men.
Nevertheless, before we get
too revisionist, let us remember some of the language that she used
about her foes, which, for all her undoubted faith, was not very
Christian. "One of us", on her lips, had nothing to do with the
incarnational solidarity spoken of by Bishop Chartres, but spoke of
purely tribal affiliation to a certain kind of Tory politics.
Schoolboy language such as "wet", applied to people who showed
compassion to victims of government cuts, is a degrading word that
should have no place in national discourse. Finally, to refer to
bishops who criticised her for similar reasons as "cuckoos", as she
did, is insulting and boorish.
I do not doubt that she was
personally courteous to many people, but in her language she
coarsened the public discourse and paid little attention to Jesus's
call to "love our enemies". We should not forget that.
HUGH WRIGHT
St John's Vicarage
Victoria Crescent
Ryde PO33 1DQ
From Mr Bill
King
Sir, - The first time I
heard the expression "marmalade-dropper" was listening to the late
Lord Deedes describe the effect that a good headline might
make.
Initially, I resisted
reading your obituary of Lady Thatcher (Gazette, 12 April).
Being of an age and from mining stock, I found the various fawning
eulogies by Brutus and his like a tad nauseating.
Then I succumbed, and it
happened: the marmalade dropped. Well done.
BILL KING
Tanglewood, Grantham Road
Old Somerby, Grantham
Lincs. NG33 4AB
From Mr Richard
Meredith
Sir, - Amanda Thatcher, at
St Paul's Cathedral, gave us a magnificent example of how to bring
the Bible to life in public worship. Is it too much to hope that
those involved in training clergy and laity in communications
skills have recorded her reading, and will use it to raise
standards in, and make a priority of, the public proclamation of
scripture?
RICHARD MEREDITH
(Reader)
334 Beacon Road
Loughborough LE11 2RD