BRITAIN: Mrs. Thatcher's Bold Gamble

Immigration and racism become campaign issues

A funny thing happened to Margaret Thatcher on the way to No. 10 Downing Street: the economy and political mood of Britain underwent a sea change. Less than a year ago the Tories were running 21% ahead of Labor in the polls, and Conservative Leader Thatcher was the odds-on favorite to become her country's first woman Prime Minister. Now the two parties are in a dead heat, and Prime Minister James Callaghan is more popular than his party while Thatcher lags behind hers.

Callaghan's main accomplishment has been...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!