Rethinking Thatcher and Europe

This book offers a compelling exploration of Margaret Thatcher's approach to European integration during the years of her premiership, providing a nuanced portrait of one of the most fascinating and influential political figures of recent decades. Drawing on extensive archival research and featuring excerpts from speeches, private papers, statements, and interviews, this study reevaluates Thatcher’s European legacy by revealing the complex evolution of her European policy during the 11 years of her premiership (1979-1990). Challenging conventional narratives, Zanetti deconstructs the image of Thatcher as the master of British Euroscepticism and precursor to Brexit, arguing instead that she was an asset to European integration – although in her own terms. Her approach was fundamentally guided by her primary role as British Prime Minister, adapting both rhetoric and action to secure national interests while engaging pragmatically with the European Community. Throughout her premiership, Thatcher consistently chose to fight difficult and unpopular battles on the European stage, positioning herself as a passionate and constructive critic whose vision for Europe’s future was often divergent from that of other European leaders. This work will appeal to students and scholars of European integration, British political history, and international relations, as well as anyone seeking to more accurately understand the complex relationship between Thatcherism and Brexit.