Ross Sheil, Staff Reporter
Thatcher, England; Johnson-Sirleaf, Liberia; Merkel, Germany; Bachelet- Jeria, Chile and Arroyo, Phillipines
IF PRIME Minister-designate Portia Simpson Miller wants a model in beating the men at their own game, then she may study the example of former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher.
They are, however, political opposites. Unlike Mrs. Simpson Miller, the right wing and determinedly non-populist Mrs. Thatcher distanced herself from the women's movement. 'Thatcherism' embodied a 'more masculine' free-market economics-led policy agenda, whereas Mrs. Simpson Miller, so far, expresses a 'more feminine' concern for social issues.
But as the leader of the traditionally misogynistic Conservative Party the so-called 'Iron Lady', like Mrs. Simpson Miller had to be durable; she traded on her toughness. Seemingly determined to out-male her party members and rivals, she once said of her all-male cabinet: "I don't mind how much my ministers talk, so long as they do what I say."
'HANDBAGGING'
The British press referred to it as 'handbagging', with the opposition Labour party leader Neil Kinnock often on the receiving end sometimes being portrayed as seemingly weaker, and, by implication, less male. "Great leader, shame about her husband, people joked in reference to Mr. Kinnock's wife Glenys, herself now a politician of some stature within the European Union (EU) Parliament.
REPRESENTING THE WRONGED
While Mrs. Simpson Miller might well accommodate her defeated rival Dr. Peter Phillips, the much less conciliatory Mrs. Thatcher left some bitter, defeated men behind her. Informing then Conservative leader, Edward Heath in 1975, of her challenge to his party leadership, he replied without looking her in the eye, "You'll lose ... Good day to you."
Banished by her to the backbenches, he cut a forlorn figure ever after.
People's National Party (PNP) presidential candidate Dr. Phillips allowed Minister of Education, Youth and Culture Maxine Henry-Wilson and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, K.D. Knight, to make public attacks on Mrs. Simpson Miller. By contrast, Mrs. Simpson Miller astutely allowed herself, as with previous political knocks, to represent the 'wronged'. Based on the election outcome, the 'Solid as a Rock' Mr. Phillips appeared less bold one on one.
Leading her party to power in the general election of 1979, Mrs. Thatcher held office as the first female Prime Minister until 1990; her party the government until 1997. Only then, after 18 years and under the image-conscious 'New Labour' of Tony Blair did the opposition return to power. They did so by adopting elements of Thatcherism with the new Prime Minister breaking an adversarial taboo and publicly speaking his admiration for his predecessor, much to the disgust of his party's left wing.
Mrs. Simpson Miller should surely eye Thatcher's record enviously.
Current first-time female heads of gov'ts
ELLEN JOHNSON-SIRLEAF, PRESIDENT OF LIBERIA:
A strong surge in support from women hoping for a champion to address wrongs done to them during Liberia's civil war swept Mrs. Johnson-Sirleaf to power last November. She has been given the same 'Iron lady' tag, as invented for Mrs. Thatcher.
She was presented as 'better educated' than her general election opponent, former FIFA World Footballer of the Year, George Weah. The more populist Mr. Weah said that: "Only a man can be strong enough to deal with all the ex-combatants (of the preceding civil war). Liberia just isn't ready to have a woman leader yet."
ANGELA MERKEL, CHANCELLOR OF GERMANY
Mrs. Merkel, a former chemist, was seen as less charismatic than her incumbent rival Gerhard Schroeder prior to her general election victory in November.
She became leader of the Christian Democratic Union in 2000 following a slush-fund scandal. She gained popularity after being the first ally of then chancellor Helmut Kohl to publicly break with him after his role in it was exposed.
Inevitably tagged the 'German Iron Lady' she, like Mrs. Thatcher, has played down her gender. Media jibes about her plain appearance have been ignored.
MICHELLE BACHELET, PRESIDENT OF CHILE
"Who would have said, 10, 15 years ago, that a woman would be elected president?" said Ms. Bachelet when she assumed Chile's top office in January. Seen as one of South America's most conservative countries, the former doctor is at the head of a society dominated by men and the Catholic church.
She is head of a (coalition) government that has been in power for 16 years or more.
Like Mrs. Simpson Miller, the Chilean president has identified herself with the poor and women.
GLORIA MACAPAGAL ARROYO, PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES
Mrs. Arroyo came to power in 2001 after a popular revolt against then president Joseph Astrada whom she served as vice-president. Last week she declared a state of emergency after the military announced it discovered that senior officers were planning a coup against her. She previously survived an army mutiny in 2003.
Attempted coups have not been the only problem for the former economics professor whose more businesslike approach has alienated poorer Filipinos. She was accused of trying to influence an election official during 2004 general elections and last year her family was accused of corruption. To silence the criticism her husband moved overseas.
