The Death of Margaret Thatcher

Goodness me, there seems to have been a wide spectrum of reaction to the passing of Margaret Thatcher, ranging from the predictable overblown Tory tributes to the equally inevitable leftist sneering.

The Guardian raised the very good question of whether "death etiquette" was misguided. It's an interesting debate, perhaps, but somewhat lacking in compassion and humanity. I personally am no fan of Maggie's politics, party or legacy - indeed, I simply don't understand how Tories are even theoretically possible - but perhaps we should all remember that this is an elderly woman who has died from a stroke: a woman who left behind a mourning family.

Of course it's impossible to write about the death of any political figure without mentioning politics, but can grievances not be put aside for just a moment? After all, we have the rest of eternity to argue amongst ourselves...