Glowing tributes paid to 'Iron Lady'

Prime Minister David Cameron paid a glowing tribute. "It was with great sadness that I learned of Lady Thatcher's death," he said. "We've lost a great leader, a great prime minister and a great Briton." Sir John Major, who replaced Lady Thatcher as Prime Minister in 1990, called her a "true force of nature". He added: "Her outstanding characteristics will always be remembered by those who worked closely with her: courage and determination in politics, and humanity and generosity of spirit in private." Former Labour Prime Minister Tony Blair called her a "towering figure", while his successor Gordon Brown praised her "determination and resilience".

Labour leader Ed Miliband said Lady Thatcher had been a "unique figure" who "reshaped the politics of a whole generation". He added: "The Labour Party disagreed with much of what she did and she will always remain a controversial figure. But we can disagree and also greatly respect her political achievements and her personal strength." Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg described Lady Thatcher as one of the "defining figures in modern British politics." London Mayor Boris Johnson tweeted: "Very sad to hear of death of Baroness Thatcher. Her memory will live long after the world has forgotten the grey suits of today's politics." UK Independence Party leader Nigel Farage called Lady Thatcher a "great inspiration", adding: "Whether you loved her or hated her nobody could deny that she was a great patriot, who believed passionately in this country and her people. A towering figure in recent British and political history has passed from the stage. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family."

Senior Conservative MP David Davis said: "Margaret Thatcher was the greatest of modern British prime ministers, and was central to the huge transformation of the whole world that took place after the fall of the Soviet Union. "Millions of people in Britain and around the world owe her a debt of gratitude for their freedom and their quality of life, which was made possible by her courageous commitment to the principles of individual freedom and responsibility." Jeffrey Archer, former Conservative party deputy chair, tweeted: Shakespeare says it all - now boast thee, death, in thy possession lies a lass unparalleled. Baroness Thatcher will be forever remembered "for her decisiveness in sending a task force to liberate our home following the Argentine invasion in 1982.