Thatcher’s papers offer insight into Falklands

Papers which have been released to the public suggest the Tory party weren’t altogether unanimous over the Falklands

11:48 22 March 2013

Margaret Thatcher’s papers, published by the Margaret Thatcher Archive Trust, have revealed that not all of the Conservatives were in full support of particular decisions when it came to the Falkland Islands.

In particular, this relates to the events following Argentina’s invasion of the Falklands over three decades ago in 1982.

According to the papers, it seems that some Tories weren’t altogether sure about certain things at the time. Including the two week period after the invasion where the party were not united in their thoughts.

Kenneth Clarke was reportedly against a war with the Argentines to secure the Falklands as British territory. Instead, he said the UK should only “blow up a few ships but nothing more”.

The differing perspectives of the Iron Lady’s cabinet may not have made things easy for the leader it seems, as highlighted by the archive released on Friday, 22nd March, 2013.

A historian from the Trust, Chris Collins, said: “These papers reveal how stressful this situation was, it was a massive undertaking which tested her to the full.

“In the early days of the conflict there was great confusion and doubt on behalf of the party and more widely.

“There was tremendous chaos. But, of course, a party has to show a united face as far as it can.”

Margaret Thatcher, who is now 87 years old, became the first woman Prime Minister in Britain.