First, you clearly haven't read my previous posts on here over the years about Thatcher and I am well aware of the destruction she has wreaked. I do not need a history lesson on her or her policies. However, sorry but you need a Geography lesson! You stated that the South was 'a land of plenty' when you obviously have no idea of the economic picture in the South East (like many Scots you define it as being London).
I live in Kent. There are huge economic divisions in this county. Based on the Govt.'s Indices of Deprivation, it is the 2nd most deprived County Council area in England (East Sussex is the most deprived). This confirms the belief that Kent is one of the ‘poorer’ areas within the South East.
I live in Margate. It has also been confirmed that it is the most deprived area in the whole of Kent and is placed by the Govt. in the top 2% deprived in England. Nationally, it is in the top 10% and it has the highest proportion of children aged under 16 who live in income deprived families (equivalent to 77%). I have worked with SureStart and know at first hand the misery this deep deprivation can cause.
The area of Thanet faces significant social, environmental and economic issues arising in the main from substantial job losses in the 1970s and 80s from tourism, coal mining, agriculture and shipping. Local unemployment is still twice the regional average, is rising and recently in the British Index of Deprivation, the Govt. stated it was comparable with well known Northern cities such as Bradford.
The rise of Margate as a popular seaside resort then its subsequent decline follows a similar pattern to other seaside resorts in the UK. The cycle of decline and associated deprivation in seaside towns was identified as different from that suffered by older industrial towns and cities by the Prime Minister's Strategy Unit (in January 2005). The case study used in that report to illustrate the problems of seaside towns was Margate. The description used to identify seaside deprivation was:
"Following the collapse of English seaside tourism, Sandytown in Beachville, Thanet has seen its redundant hotels turned into hostels for the homeless, cheap bedsits or care homes. The concentration of vulnerable and transient residents, including refugees and asylum seekers, elderly people and children in care has severely strained public services and led to tensions between longstanding residents and the new population."
I could give you many more facts about health, unemployment and social exclusion of this 'land of plenty' Mr Plod. Please don't believe this tired old myth that the South East is bountiful. Thatcher is hated here as much as anywhere else in the country. We had mines here too remember!