She may be regarded as one of the most divisive figures in the history of British politics but as Baroness Thatcher is laid to rest today, one of her closest working partners reveals how it was still harder to watch Dundee United than it was to give advice to the woman known as the Iron Lady.
Dundee resident Sir William Stewart, 77, acted as Lady Thatcher’s chief scientific adviser (CSA) for the last 10 months of her tenure before she stepped down in 1990 and was privy to the inner workings of the Cabinet in her final days.
Throughout her years in office Lady Thatcher divided opinion and debate over her policies, attitude and legacy still runs strong today.
However, Sir William, a former chairman of Tayside University Hospitals Trust and professor of biology, has spoken of the admiration he gained for the former prime minister from his time working with her and said her strength of conviction was something the UK needed.
He said: “People say to me, ‘How difficult was it to be the government CSA?’ and I always say it was not as difficult as watching Dundee United from the George Fox stand at the end of the Peter Houston run.
“Margaret thatcher was a good prime minister and it was a great privilege to work with her. I liked her.
“She led from the front and she identified when real change was necessary and decisively implemented that change for the betterment of the UK as a whole.
“She did a good job when she was there. She was divisive but I don’t have much time for politicians who promise everything but deliver nothing she delivered.”
Sir William’s appointment came as a surprise to the professor, who, at 55, was keenly focused on the burgeoning life sciences department that had been opened in Dundee.
However, his connection to Lady Thatcher’s logical and scientific mind was instant and a productive working relationship was struck.
“I hit it off with her straight away. She was always PM and I was always Professor Stewart she was the boss and I was the adviser.”
Regarding today’s funeral at St Paul’s Cathedral, he said: “I’ll watch the ceremony on the TV and pay my respects quietly.”