It seems to me that Thatchers survival was more to do with a lack of a strong opposition than her appeal to the public.
The only thing is that, as you can see, the YouGov Poll was in 2008, demonstrating her lasting appeal. I can assure you that all recent polls here covering the 20th century reflect the same. Winnie first, Maggie 2nd, Blair often nowhere, Attlee, as you would expect, always highly respected, with his introduction of the welfare state, and Harold Wilson was an efficient bureaucrat and manoeuvrer. The biggest raspberry goes to Heath.
These polls constantly put Winnie 1 and Maggie 2 for that period, but the youGov one puts Maggie first and Winnie 2nd, because it covers the post-war only and Churchill's involvement in that was not a happy one.
My own personal favourites would have included those you guys have mentioned, plus Palmerston, the original John Bull, the personification of the Brit.
The image you hold of life here in the eighties here just wasn't as you describe. we had been heading downwards by 1979, and Maggie wrought the recovery. The working man's cause was rising, home-ownership was rising fast, wages were rising. You also misunderstand Maggie's standing, then and now . Love her or hate her, and I am in neither camp, she is a most respected politician. She was trusted, I believe.You may find that strange, but nevertheless it is true. At the time she retired, 52% thought she had been good for Britain. Life is tougher here now, and the gap between the rich and the poor is far greater. After 11 years of new Labour, we still have theCommunity Tax, now known as The Council Tax, it has vastly multiplied, grows each year and falls heavily upon the poorest, pensioners on low fixed incomes, now in pensioner poverty.
As far as great orators are concerned, I would say, Palmerston, Churchill, Bevan, Powell, and Wm. Haig. The last two did not make PM.
The most outstandingly brilliant British politician - Enoch Powell, who also did not make it.
But for greatest PMs, our electorate constantly put up Churchill and Thatcher, and yes, it has a lot to do with percieved character and political personality.
Right, I think that is probably more than enough from me on this thread, so I will politely step aside. I thank you!