Maggie Thatcher leaves hospital

2005-12-08 14:41

London - Former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, 80, left a London hospital on Thursday smiling and waving, a day after she was admitted into a cardiac ward feeling faint.

Mark Purcell, a spokesperson for London's Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, said the former leader was comfortable and feeling rested and was likely to return home later in the morning.

"The doctors assessed her this morning and say she is OK," he said. "She will probably go some time this morning. She is very comfortable and very rested."

Thatcher, 80, has grown frail in recent years following a series of small strokes and her public appearances have been rare. She has given up most public speaking on her doctors' advice, but is still greatly admired, 15 years after leaving office as Britain's first female prime minister.

'Robust lady'

She was taken to hospital on Wednesday afternoon after complaining of feeling faint and remained overnight as a precaution.

Former Conservative Party leader William Hague said on Thursday the party wished her well and said she was a "robust lady."

With her forceful personality, Thatcher dominated British politics as prime minister from 1979 to 1990. Her free-market philosophy, push to privatise state industries and hard-nosed battles with labour unions redrew Britain's economic landscape. Even Prime Minister Tony Blair, whose Labour Party languished in opposition while the Thatcher held power for more than a decade, has adopted many of her free market policies.

Her hard-driving style earned her the "Iron Lady" nickname, a term reinforced to some in 1982 when she led Britain into war against Argentina after it invaded the Falkland Islands, forcing it to retreat.

Thatcher has remained a powerful voice in the party and the Conservatives have struggled to recover from her resignation in 1990, which was prompted by a revolt among her own ministers. But there is a sense that her influence is waning. The appointment Tuesday of youthful moderniser David Cameron, 39, as the party's fifth leader since her resignation heralds a generational shift.

- AP