An exhibition at London’s Victoria and Albert Museum is under fire after placing conservative hero and icon Margaret Thatcher alongside Adolf Hitler and Osama Bin Laden as a “contemporary villain, cast in the same light as a murderous dictator and violent terrorist “.
Metro UK reports:
The former prime minister is mentioned in the exhibition entitled Laughing Matters: The State of the Empire, which examines the role of humor in relation to “identity, empire and power over the last two hundred years”.
Below a series of Punch and Judy puppets, a caption reads: ‘Over the years, the evil character of this seaside puppet show has moved from the Devil to unpopular public figures including Adolf Hitler, Margaret Thatcher and Osama bin Laden to offer contemporary villains. ‘
Elsewhere in the exhibition, there is also a puppet of the late Baroness from the popular satirical TV show Spitting Image – although there were no further references to her supposedly evil ways.
Following calls for defunding, the V&A said it would review the text and update the wording “if necessary”.
Clock:
“Whoever made this decision should be fired.”
Reform UK deputy leader Ben Habib reacts to a V&A exhibition which named Margaret Thatcher, along with Adolf Hitler and Osama Bin Laden, as a “contemporary villain”. pic.twitter.com/yjsshZVRLR
— GB News (@GBNEWS) March 18, 2024
Nile Gardiner, Thatcher’s former aide, defended her legacy in a heated debate with author Jeni Barnett.
“He faced the evils of socialism and fought for workers.”
Margaret Thatcher’s former assistant, Nile Gardiner, author and TV presenter, Jeni Barnett, a “distraught brat” as the pair clash over Margaret Thatcher’s legacy. pic.twitter.com/2FgBdoX47c
— GB News (@GBNEWS) March 18, 2024
Lady Thatcher had a wonderful way of dealing with the far left and socialists. She called them and made fun of them.
Let us never forget the courage and skill of this woman.