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(FILES) British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher acknowledges applauds on Ocotber 13, 1989 at the end of the Conservative Party conference in Blackpool. At left Foreign Secretary John Major and at right Home Secretary John Hurt. Margaret Thatcher remains despised by many on the left of British politics, but the main Labour opposition seems comfortable citing her as it woos the right before this year's election. Labour leader Keir Starmer and senior colleagues have recently referenced the Conservative icon, highlighting the party's shift to the centre since Starmer succeeded left-winger Jeremy Corbyn. In December 2023, Starmer described Thatcher as effecting "meaningful change" in the UK during her controversial 1979-1990 premiership while foreign affairs spokesman David Lammy this week called her "a visionary leader". (Photo by Johnny EGGITT / AFP) / TO GO WITH AFP STORY BY Peter HUTCHISON (KEYSTONE/AFP/JOHNNY EGGITT)