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Remembering Margaret Thatcher

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Margaret Thatcher, the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1979 to 1990, passed away today after suffering from a stroke. The longest-serving Prime Minister of the 20th century, Thatcher also holds the distinction of being the only woman to hold the post. She has died at 87-years-old.

Below, some TED Talks that examine Thatcher’s legacy — in politics, social policy, even science funding.

David Cameron: The next age of government David Cameron: The next age of government David Cameron: The next age of government
“We have lost a great leader, a great prime minister and a great Briton,” current Prime Minister David Cameron said of Thatcher today, upon returning to the UK from a European tour to pay tribute to the so-called “Iron Lady.” In this talk given at TED2010, Cameron shares his thoughts on how governments will need to adapt as global power dynamics shift toward individuals.
Lemn Sissay: A child of the state Lemn Sissay: A child of the state Lemn Sissay: A child of the state
In this talk from TEDxHousesofParliament, British poet and playwright Lemn Sissay talks about growing up as a “ward of the state,” without parents to care for him. As he says, “Margaret Thatcher was my mother.” A moving talk about why so many people who grew up this way feel the need to hide their pasts.
Elizabeth Pisani: Sex, drugs and HIV -- let's get rational Elizabeth Pisani: Sex, drugs and HIV -- let's get rational Elizabeth Pisani: Sex, drugs and HIV – let’s get rational
At TED2010, public health expert Elizabeth Pisani shares a counter-intuitive policy that Margaret Thatcher was the first to put into practice – the creation of a national needle exchange program for intravenous drug users to prevent the transmission of HIV.
Gordon Brown: Global ethic vs. national interest Gordon Brown: Global ethic vs. national interest Gordon Brown on global ethic vs. national interest
Gordon Brown, Prime Minister from 2007 to 2010, has revealed himself to be a great admirer of Thatcher because she was a “conviction politician.” In this Q&A that followed Brown’s talk on wiring the web for global good at TEDGlobal 209, TED Curator Chris Anderson asks Brown how he balances the needs of his own citizens with the needs of the world.
Brian Cox: CERN's supercollider Brian Cox: CERN's supercollider Brian Cox: CERN’s supercollider
At TED2008, physicist Brian Cox shares a funny anecdote about getting funding for the Large Hadron Collider at CERN from Margaret Thatcher. Apparently, Thatcher said to him, “ If you guys can explain, in language a politician can understand … what this Higgs particle does … you can have the money.”