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I think Keith you are probably correct no Government has sought to change Thatchers' reforms especially regarding the unions, the old system of solving disputes through strike action was in need of reform and as Barry corectly said it was nearly always the nationalised industries which bore the brunt of those disputes. They had become inefficient, costly and produced inferior goods such as cars which were unreliable and poorly finished. It was also cheaper to import coal rather than use our own but notwithstanding that coal was becoming a dying product.
Broadly speaking Barry I agree with many of the points you have raised. The NHS is in need of reform but not at the expense of the right for free treatment for all. I would think that any government would regard it as political suicide to introduce any form of pay system or means testing.
Regarding Thatcher, yes she did change the whole manner in which this country had been run in the past and generally we have all benefited by her reforms, like her or hate her we have all been affected by her policies. She removed all restraints on finances, credit cards became the norm and Britain went on a huge spending spree, something that she had not envisaged. She thought people would be sensible, they weren't, instead we underwent one of the biggest booms in history, something that we would all have to pay for later.
All governments have had their hands in multiculturalism, which has seriously affected integration and Britain is becoming a split society. This gives rise to parties such as the BNP who prey on thefears and prejudices which are present in our society. We have always been a tolerant nation when it comes to immigration but we must ensure that those who come here will contribute to our society, abide by our laws and not try to impose the culture they have chosen to leave upon us.
The war gave us one ambition and that was to change Britain and not to return to the old pre-war times of deprivation, instability and a country run by the aristocracy.
The NHS, the 60s social revolution, the unions and the Thatcher years have all played some part in our history but it was the ordinary persons desire for change which won the day.