It started before Thatcher don't forget the economy went to hell in the 70s what with the UK having to to take a bail out from the IMF, the 3 day week and winter of discontent and all.
Jim callaghan (the Labour government before the one we've just got rid of) wrecked the economy and we were left ruled by big union bosses. The country was broke and nothing worked. We were going down the toilet and dissapearing around the 'U' bend.
Thatcher knocked heads together, cleaned up labour's mess, and put UK back on its feet. We went from laughing stock to a major force in Europe. Of course, Thatch did some bad stuff as well (moneterism - squandering North Sea Oil revenues on 'markets' instead of investing in the country's infrastructure).
Then we got Blair. Then Brown. Between them, they not only left the country financially in the worst state it's been in since WW2, they also left us involved in an illegal war supporting evangelistic USA, and vastly reduced our civil rights.
If you didn't know about Sunny Jim Calalghan, his mess, and the tory cleaning up of it, you should read about it. It might prevent those who don't remember such things from voting labour in again, to wreck the economy again.
Blair is donating his royalties on his book out of guilt, but also because he knows lots of people will be taken in by that and think it's OK to buy it 'as the proceeds go to a good cause'. He is a calculating selfish barstard and is giving nowt away. He will make a nice tax loss on the book to offset against other earnings, and of course there's the film rights.
I can'r beleive why anyone would want to read about such a tainted and nasty man, let alone watch the film which is no doubt on the way.
Anyone read read 'ghost'? If not, you should.