SHE was a "political colossus the likes of which we have seldom seen before or since".
That is how Nottingham's leading Conservative councillor remembers Baroness Thatcher.
And whether you loved the former PM, or loathed her, it is hard to disagree.
Tributes poured in following the announcement of the death of the country's first female Prime Minister after a stroke yesterday. She was 87.
Conservative party leader at Nottingham City Council, Councillor Georgina Culley, was among the first to pay her respects.
She told the Post yesterday: "She was and remained a polarising figure because she fiercely defended her views, views which she believed best served the country she loved.
"As she herself said if you just set out to be liked, you will be prepared to compromise on anything at any time, and would achieve nothing.
"Through taking hard and often deeply unpopular decisions she oversaw a great recovery."
She added: "Her policies have given around two million social housing tenants the right to buy their home.
"She was a key figure in overcoming Europe's partition and the end of the Cold War.
"At a time when people seem increasingly disillusioned with their politicians, here was a real conviction politician, a fiercely principled and patriotic leader.
"She was the reason why I joined the Conservative party having worked through the Callaghan government which ended with the winter of discontent, and we admired her tenacity and her belief in Britain."
For those who loved her, the former Prime Minister was the woman who, virtually single-handed, transformed the nation through battles like the miners' strike and the Falklands War. She was one of the most influential figures in British political history.
Some believe every hard decision made was for the overall good of the country.
Broxtowe's Conservative MP Anna Soubry said: "Margaret Thatcher was the first woman to lead a British political party, and the first woman Prime Minister – two outstanding achievements in their own right. But she was more than that. Margaret Thatcher was the longest-serving Prime Minister of the 20th century and during her time she restored our economy, leaving Britain far better off than we had been when she was first elected.
"Margaret Thatcher showed great courage and determination when she refused to give in to the Trade Unions, defended the Falkland Islands when they were invaded and under her premiership Britain became a leading political and economic force in the world.
"She will be missed."
Mrs Thatcher was born in Grantham on October 13, 1925.
She became Prime Minister in 1979 and remained in the role until 1990.
Notts County Council leader Councillor Kay Cutts said: "Her story is truly inspirational with her going from being the daughter of a Grantham grocer to the longest serving Prime Minister of the 20th century. While it remains a time of sadness, I would like to think the nation will celebrate the life of a remarkable lady."
After hearing or Mrs Thatcher's death, the Post created an online poll, asking if she was a "hero or villain".
At the time of going to print, there had been 679 responses – 437 saying they disliked her.
