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(FILES) British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, the first British Prime Minister to visit Israel, delivers a press conference at the King David Hotel on May 27, 1986 in Jerusalem. 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 SVEN NACKSTRAND / AFP) / TO GO WITH AFP STORY BY Peter HUTCHISON (KEYSTONE/AFP/SVEN NACKSTRAND)