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“I wasn’t lucky. I deserved it” – On receiving a school prize, aged nine l “I am not hard – I’m frightfully soft. But I will not be hounded” – Interview, 1972 l “It will be years – and not in my time – before a woman will lead the party or become Prime Minister” – Speech, 1974 l “Let our children grow tall, and some taller than others if they have it in them to do so” – Speech in United States in 1975
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“Britain is no longer in the politics of the pendulum, but of the ratchet” – Speech to the Institute of Public Relations, 1977
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“The lady’s not for turning” – Speech at Conservative Party conference, 1980 l “No-one would have remembered the Good Samaritan if he’d only had good intentions. He had money as well” – Television interview, 1980
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“A crime is a crime is a crime” – Conference in Saudi Arabia, 1981, rejecting any view that there could be political reasons for IRA terrorism
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“We knew what we had to do and we went about it and did it. Great Britain is great again” – At the end of Falklands conflict
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“I am painted as the greatest little dictator, which is ridiculous – you always take some consultations” – Interview, 1983
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“This is a day I was not meant to see” – the Sunday following the Brighton bomb l “I think, historically, the term ‘Thatcherism’ will be seen as a compliment” – Speech, 1985
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“Why, Marks & Spencer’s. Doesn’t everyone?” – When asked where she bought underwear, 1986
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“I don’t mind how much my ministers talk, as long as they do what I say” – 1987
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“I think I have become a bit of an institution – you know the sort of thing people expect to see around the place” – Speech, 1987.
- “What’s wrong with British water?” – When given French Perrier water in 1989
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