ABSTRACT
A detailed archival study of the Thatcher years will not be possible until the release of key government sources. These will not become available for the whole period until 2020 at the earliest. The student is, therefore, dependent upon material published either at the time, or very soon afterwards. Much of it comes from politicians themselves and, vital though they are, all such evidence needs to be treated with caution. Most politicians, especially if they remain active in public life, are desperate to have their actions viewed in a favourable light and keen to ensure that the policies for which they were responsible are understood from their own perspective.
