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The forgotten ex-communist who laid the ground for Thatcher’s revolution

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Published: 1 December 2020

Last updated: 4 March 2024

Sir Alfred Sherman was a Jewish working-class former communist from London’s East End who had fought in the Spanish Civil War

AFTER HER FALL FROM POWER — which occurred 30 years ago this week — Margaret Thatcher frequently seemed intent on engaging in a very public settling of scores with those she felt had betrayed her.

But Sir Alfred Sherman was among the few with whom she appeared prepared to share the credit for her achievements in office. “We should never have defeated socialism if it hadn’t been for Sir Alfred,” she confidently declared in 2005.

It was an astute observation. For, alongside Sir Keith Joseph — her closest political ally both in the opposition years and government — Sir Alfred was perhaps more responsible than any other individual for helping to unleash the Thatcher revolution.

However, the third man of Thatcherism is now a somewhat forgotten figure; a startling omission given his critical role in laying its foundations.

FULL STORY Communist who laid the ground for Thatcher’s revolution (Jewish Chronicle)
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