Margaret Thatcher

[SteveHFC]

http://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/scotsol/homepage/news/2770651/Tory-reveals-Margaret-Thatchers-plan-to-flatten-Hampden-stadium.html :grr:

[Sloppy]

and who told you about it? :confused:



:greengrin

[lapsedhibee]

:grr:

TORY stalwart Teddy Taylor last night defended the secret Thatcher government plot to bulldoze Hampden - and insisted it was a "terribly good" idea.
The former senior MP's claim came 30 years after he told the then-PM's administration to ditch their pledge to rebuild the national stadium.

And the shocking proposals - revealed in newly released secret documents - show he planned to "sweeten the pill" by relocating Scotland games to other parts of the country.

The former shadow Scots secretary claimed: "You'd be surprised how many folk would welcome it after the initial burst of protest."

And last night he said: "I STILL think it would have been terribly good to replace Hampden."

Mr Taylor's plan was detailed in letters to Alex Fletcher, then under-secretary of state for Scotland.

They were written in 1979, in the early days of Margaret Thatcher's new Conservative government.

Mr Taylor had lost his seat in Glasgow Cathcart - which includes Hampden - but was a party adviser.

After the local council withdrew funding for a stadium revamp, he asked: "If the Hampden scheme is not going ahead, wouldn't it be wise to call it a day?"

He suggested the Tories could "sweeten the pill by indicating that big international matches would be played at various grounds, with Aberdeen, Dundee and Edinburgh all getting a share."

The ousted MP - a favourite of Mrs T - added: "There would be the problem of what to do with Hampden.

"I have a feeling it would be better for this to be faced up to NOW rather than just allowing the massive ground to deteriorate."

The Government had agreed to give £5.5million to Hampden.

But Mr Fletcher, then Scottish Sports Minister, said the council's decision to ditch its cash pledge presented an ideal opportunity to "cancel with honour".

Denied public cash, Hampden fell into disrepair until it was rebuilt in 1999.

Yesterday a spokesman for the First Minister, Alex Salmond, said: "This says it all for the Tories' attitude to Scotland."

Famous Tartan Army magazine editor Iain Emerson said: "It's well known Thatcher had little love for Scotland - but this would have generated a Hampden Roar loud enough to rattle Westminster's windows."

Mr Fletcher died in 1989. Mr Taylor was later an MP in England until 2005.

[One Day Soon]

Complete non-story. Roger Irrelevant just doesn't cover it. Actually its a bit of a pity they didn't.

[Woody1985]

I know little of the Thatcher years. However, it would appear that the council are to blame on this one...

Yes, she may have had little love, or none at all for Scotland but on an economic basis it would appear sensible if one of our own councils didn't want to contribute...

[GlesgaeHibby]

That article tells us absolutely nothing.

[Just Jimmy]

for me the biggest issue with this story is the fact that dump of a national stadium is still standing.

[Killiehibbie]

Should've been bulldozed with her in it.

[Beefster]

for me the biggest issue with this story is the fact that dump of a national stadium is still standing.

Spot on.

Tens of millions in public money spent on it and yet it's still one of the most soulless and depressing ****holes in the country. She was spot on to suggest it be bulldozed.

[steakbake]

sniff sniff... press release?? election coming up? possible tory victory? i wonder why this story should turn up now?

Hampden still stands, Maggie is not long for the world... whats the point in raking this up?

[Phil D. Rolls]

When you consider how inaccessible Hampden actually is, and how it is a shadow of its former self, it made complete sense to keep it in Glasgow. Well done the crooks on the weedge council, by the way.

---------- Post added at 02:44 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:42 PM ----------


sniff sniff... press release?? election coming up? possible tory victory? i wonder why this story should turn up now?

Hampden still stands, Maggie is not long for the world... whats the point in raking this up?

Agreed one is a crumbling relic of a bygone age that reeks of piss, and the other is a football ground in Glasgow.

[Dashing Bob S]

There are very few things that could make me feel even slightly well disposed towards that malevolent, vindictive old boot.

But demolishing that ugly toilet on the south side of Glasgow comes close.

[Part/Time Supporter]

'Tis a pity that she didn't do it while there was an Old Firm final in progress

:devil:

[IWasThere2016]

for me the biggest issue with this story is the fact that dump of a national stadium is still standing.

:agree: Total sh 1 t hole