Iron Lady's speeches

From her rise to power to her eventual downfall, Margaret Thatcher has provided some of the most memorable soundbites in British politics. BBC News Online recalls some of the defining speeches of the "Thatcher years".

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May 1979

Harmony after the discord - arriving at Number 10

Following the collapse of the Labour government, the Conservative's first woman leader becomes Britain's first woman prime minister. Arriving at Number 10, Margaret Thatcher sets out her vision for the country by citing a verse from St. Francis of Assisi.

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September 1980

Just one year in power, and the "Iron Lady" personality that left many politicians fearful of her was evident. Speaking at the party's annual conference in 1980, a determined Margaret Thatcher goads critics of Thatcherism, "U-turn if you want to, this lady is not for turning."

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September 1988

Speaking in Bruges to a European audience, Mrs Thatcher outlines her vision of what a future Europe should be. Her strong views against a United States of Europe still inspires many Conservative Eurosceptics years later.

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November 1990

11 years of power was ended by Tory MPs not the electorate

The Thatcher years in power came to a dramatic end. Rebellious backbenchers called a leadership election. Cabinet ministers did not give her the vote of confidence she was looking for, so she resigned from office and from power.

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