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IRON LADY OVER MAY

Margaret Thatcher would be the people’s favourite to lead Brexit negotiations if she were alive today, poll finds

Thatcher was rated more highly than any other political leaders amongst both Leavers and Remainers

MARGARET Thatcher would be the people’s favourite to lead Britain’s Brexit negotiations if she were still alive, a poll reveals today.

The three times PM is the only politician past or present that voters would trust to get a good deal out of the EU.

 Margaret Thatcher would be the public's favourite to lead Brexit if she were alive today
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Margaret Thatcher would be the public's favourite to lead Brexit if she were alive todayCredit: Getty

She is rated more highly than any present or more recent political leader as the person they would most like to see fighting our corner.

Lady Thatcher, who died in 2013, wins hands down among both Leavers and Remainers with a net approval rating of 22 per cent.

But most people think Theresa May is doing badly and don’t believe any other potential leaders could do much better.

Only two other people are trusted enough to take over the process – and they are not even MPs.

 The poll showed that most people feel Theresa May isn't leading negotiations well
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The poll showed that most people feel Theresa May isn't leading negotiations wellCredit: Getty - Pool

Virgin boss Sir Richard Branson and Alan Sugar, star of TV’s The Apprentice, would make a good fist of taking on Brussels, according to a Deltapoll survey.

But voters think neither ex-PMs Tony Blair and David Cameron nor the existing crop of wannabe leaders could do any better than Mrs May.

The poll shows 35 per cent of voters think she is handling the talks well, while 56 say badly – an overall rating of minus 21.

This is the same score as leadership hopeful Boris Johnson, who resigned as Foreign Secretary after describing her Brexit plan as a “turd”.

 Deltapoll figures revealed the public would prefer Sir Richard Branson to negotiate with Brussels
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Deltapoll figures revealed the public would prefer Sir Richard Branson to negotiate with BrusselsCredit: Press Association

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn was rated minus 28, the same as Mr Blair, while David Cameron was given minus 27 and Lib Dem leader Vince Cable minus 32.

Respected former pollster Peter Kellner said yesterday: “This survey tells us something important about the public mood.

“Whatever their views on Brexit, most voters have little faith in any of the main politicians in any of the Britain-wide parties.

“Thirty years after she was Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher still commands respect as a national leader with clear views who got things done.

 The public also felt confident that Lord Alan Sugar could be trusted to take over the Brexit process
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The public also felt confident that Lord Alan Sugar could be trusted to take over the Brexit processCredit: Getty

"She is still seen as a giant; her successors, in contrast, are viewed as a generation of political pygmies.

“Today, when Britain faces one of its greatest ever peacetime challenges, the lack of trust in any of the main political actors should terrify the leading figures of all parties and both sides of the Brexit debate.”

 The survey revealed the public have little confidence in current political leaders
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The survey revealed the public have little confidence in current political leadersCredit: AFP
Lib Dem leader Tim Farron reveals he had a Margaret Thatcher picture above his bed
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