Thatcher and the Grammar schools

[Bagpuss]

I can remember it, I was working and voting (just) when many people were buying them. Maggie was still in power when I started working, despite my youthful appearance!

It sounds like your council house was worth nothing so I forgive you!

[original PM]

Where I was brought up...jesus it was horrendous.

regardless of who was in power or what decisions were made I think you and your family deserve a medal for pulling yoursleves up by your bottstraps and making something of yourselves rather than giving up and sponging of the state

[BrowneIssue]

pulling yourselves up by your bottstraps

I think bottstraps are more public school than grammar school...

[SallyAnne]

I can remember it, I was working and voting (just) when many people were buying them. Maggie was still in power when I started working, despite my youthful appearance!

It sounds like your council house was worth nothing so I forgive you!

My Dad bought it for £5k, sold it for £11k, and bought our house in a lovely area of Newcastle (which they're still in now) for a reposessed amount of £14k

Sounds ridiculous, but we were a genuine council estate family - my dad worked in a betting shop ffs. I'm pleased you said that bit at the end, cause I couldnt' imagine anyone begrudging a family betterring themseleves in that way.

To be fair, from an ecomonic point of view, Maggie has single handedly created 3 adults (me and my brothers) who have paid more in tax over the last 10 years than that whole council estate area would have probably been worth in rent!



Oh, and You're sooooo over 40 you old git mwahahahaha

[SallyAnne]

regardless of who was in power or what decisions were made I think you and your family deserve a medal for pulling yoursleves up by your bottstraps and making something of yourselves rather than giving up and sponging of the state

I'll pass your best on to my Dad

I too think what they did was amazing.

[Bagpuss]

Sally the last bit was a joke. I didn't agree with the council house sell off but then if I were a council house dweller it could have been different, all that free money!

PS I am under 40!!!

[DimPrawn]

My family benefited from the council house policy too, including my wifes parents. However, I still feel it was wrong to sell these houses off cheaply.

Britain needs reliable (ie long tenancy), low cost (subsidised) housing for the working classes. Period.

[SallyAnne]

PS I am under 40!!!

nah - I think you protest too much

[sasguru]

...working classes. Period.

What working classes?

[DimPrawn]

What working classes?

Them people wot work rather than post all day on the Internet. Them ones.