"Thatcher was a divisive figure"
It's a phrase you'll hear a lot over the coming days. It'll mostly be said by those who are sympathetic or even supportive of the ex-Prime Minister. It's purpose is to belittle the opinion of those who disliked her, whilst simultaneously appearing to understand them.
Since the death of Thatcher was announced on Monday morning Social Media has been ablaze with comment. People have been mourning her passing as much as they've been celebrating her death - and both opinions are valid.
But the people that have irked me are the ones who have patronisingly suggested celebrating her death is "tasteless" or "disrespectful". As if they are the gate-keepers of common decency and your opinion is invalid if it they don't agree with it. The notion that "haters" should "move on" now she's died is a ludicrous one. In death her legacy can still be criticised by those who choose to without other people having the right to demean them.
Thatcher undoubtedly did some good for some people. Make no mistake, though, she did an awful lot of bad. I'm not going to delve into the details of her politics - that's for far more knowledgeable and intelligent people than I to do.
But it's ironic that a lot of those being critical of the celebratory statements will be the same people bemoaning the state of Cameron's Britain. As he destroys the NHS, allows the demise of the country's schooling system and makes thousands of poor families even poorer, it's worth asking: What is Cameron's Conservative Party if not the bastard son of Thatcherism?
If you have recently spared a thought for Nelson Mandela in his recovery from illness, know that Thatcher called him a terrorist. All the while offering friendship and support to General Pinochet.
Margaret Thatcher was part of a government who wanted to see the "managed decline" of Liverpool as a city. Imagine the social media uproar if that was a sentiment expressed by David Cameron's advisers today. Gordon Brown nearly got lynched for referring to someone as a "bigoted woman".
Thatcher may have done some good for many, but she destroyed the lives of thousands of families throughout the country. Ask the people of Liverpool what they think of her. Or Manchester, for that matter. Speak to the Irish or people from the Welsh valleys who remember what the choices of Margaret Thatcher did to their communities. See if they agree that she should be allowed dignity in death.
Too many places in Great Britain are still struggling to recover from the politics of Margaret Thatcher to mention. Plenty of people don't know about that. Too many Tweets and Facebook status' will be from people jumping on the bandwagon of controversy that inevitably gets hitched to any world event. Those commenting on things they don't truly know about are idiots.
But plenty of people out there know only too well the damage that was done by Thatcher. And they should be allowed to express their feelings without the patronising disdain of those too arrogant to realise her failings.
Most agree she was far from an angel, but to some she was the devil incarnate. And they would sooner dance on her grave than weep by it. You may not like it, but it's something they're more than entitled to do.
