Sir Mark Thatcher has warned that Britain risks an economic crisis akin to the 1970s under Labour, advocating for leaders like Donald Trump and Nigel Farage to emulate his mother, Margaret Thatcher. In a rare interview marking what would have been her 100th birthday, he stated that the UK must adopt stronger political convictions to address issues of government spending, taxes, and immigration, reports BritPanorama.
Sir Mark criticized the current government’s approach, claiming that his mother would have “admired” President Trump and respected Farage for their staunch beliefs. He emphasized that Britain’s immigration policies are chaotic, effectively attracting people to cross the Channel for benefits, a scenario he insists his mother would never have tolerated.
He issued a stark warning about the need for fiscal responsibility, predicting that continued high levels of spending would lead the UK to seek assistance from the International Monetary Fund. Drawing parallels to the UK’s financial turmoil in the late 1970s, he remarked, “That seems to be the way that it’s going.” Sir Mark argued that if families managed their finances like the government, they would be in serious trouble.
‘Charming Guy’
Sir Mark expressed that conviction politics is essential for the UK’s future, praising Trump’s commitment to market economy principles. He stated, “The fact he has got the common beliefs, and she would very much have subscribed to the bulk of them, I would think that she would be admiring his leadership.”
Regarding Farage, he acknowledged, “I’ve never met him, but he strikes me as being an extremely charming guy,” affirming that Thatcher would have respected Farage for his beliefs. He asserted that tackling illegal immigration is critical, stating his mother would share concerns about the current situation.
On Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch, Sir Mark encouraged patience, drawing on his mother’s initial struggles in leadership. He noted, “There are very real comparisons between the moment when my mother became leader of the party,” highlighting the challenges faced back then.
Sir Mark insisted that Thatcher would have supported a return to market-based policies, underscoring the need for a clear direction among politicians. He lamented that current leaders appear lack of conviction, contrasting their uncertainty with his mother’s resolve when she assumed power.
Delving into Brexit, Sir Mark clarified that his mother supported the European Economic Community as a market, but became wary as it evolved towards a political union. He dismissed claims by a former aide that Thatcher would have backed Remain, asserting that she would have prioritized sovereignty over economic integration.
He illustrated his mother’s belief in parliamentary sovereignty, warning against the risks of deeper political ties within the EU. Sir Mark critiqued the EU’s movement towards greater integration as misguided and historically erroneous during a time when the Soviet Union was collapsing under similar collectivist ideals.
Conclusively, Sir Mark believes that a revival of Thatcherite principles is essential to navigate Britain’s current challenges and prevent a fiscal crisis. He emphasized the imperative to address immigration issues assertively and halt unnecessary spending to safeguard the nation’s economic future.
