Morrissey has released an official statement regarding the death of former British Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher.
The singer released his comments to fansite True To You yesterday (April 9) following Thatcher’s death yesterday at the age of 87.
In the strongly worded statement, Morrissey wrote:
Thatcher was not a strong or formidable leader. She simply did not give a shit about people, and this coarseness has been neatly transformed into bravery by the British press who are attempting to rewrite history in order to protect patriotism.
He added: “In truth, of course, no British politician has ever been more despised by the British people than Margaret Thatcher.”
Morrissey also commented that anyone protesting at Thatcher’s funeral next week is “certain to be tear-gassed out of sight by the police”.
Morrissey’s full statement reads:
“The difficulty with giving a comment on Margaret Thatcher’s death to the British tabloids is that, no matter how calmly and measuredly you speak, the comment must be reported as an “outburst” or an “explosive attack” if your view is not pro-establishment. If you reference “the Malvinas”, it will be switched to “the Falklands“, and your “Thatcher” will be softened to a “Maggie.” This is generally how things are structured in a non-democratic society.
“Thatcher’s name must be protected not because of all the wrong that she had done, but because the people around her allowed her to do it, and therefore any criticism of Thatcher throws a dangerously absurd light on the entire machinery of British politics. Thatcher was not a strong or formidable leader. She simply did not give a shit about people, and this coarseness has been neatly transformed into bravery by the British press who are attempting to rewrite history in order to protect patriotism.
“As a result, any opposing view is stifled or ridiculed, whereas we must all endure the obligatory praise for Thatcher from David Cameron without any suggestion from the BBC that his praise just might be an outburst of pro-Thatcher extremism from someone whose praise might possibly protect his own current interests. The fact that Thatcher ignited the British public into street riots, violent demonstrations and a social disorder previously unseen in British history is completely ignored by David Cameron in 2013.
“In truth, of course, no British politician has ever been more despised by the British people than Margaret Thatcher. Thatcher’s funeral on Wednesday will be heavily policed for fear that the British taxpayer will want to finally express their view of Thatcher. They are certain to be tear-gassed out of sight by the police.
“United Kingdom? Syria? China? What’s the difference?”
Morrissey
9 April 2013