This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk_politics/8098797.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Lord Healey 'sorry for Thatcher' Lord Healey 'gave Thatcher hug'
(about 6 hours later)
Labour's former chancellor Denis Healey has revealed he and former prime minister Lady Thatcher now get on "very well", and even recently shared a hug.Labour's former chancellor Denis Healey has revealed he and former prime minister Lady Thatcher now get on "very well", and even recently shared a hug.
Lord Healey said while he still thought Lady Thatcher had been an "appalling" PM, he now felt "very sorry" for her.Lord Healey said while he still thought Lady Thatcher had been an "appalling" PM, he now felt "very sorry" for her.
"Nobody really listens to what she has to say," the 91-year-old told the BBC's Desert Island Discs."Nobody really listens to what she has to say," the 91-year-old told the BBC's Desert Island Discs.
Lord Healey and Lady Thatcher were known to be bitter political enemies during the 1970s and 1980s.Lord Healey and Lady Thatcher were known to be bitter political enemies during the 1970s and 1980s.
In his interview, to be broadcast on Sunday on Radio 4, Lord Healey said he and his former adversary get on because they now avoid the subject of politics when they meet.In his interview, to be broadcast on Sunday on Radio 4, Lord Healey said he and his former adversary get on because they now avoid the subject of politics when they meet.
There are many problems the Labour Party has at the moment about winning the next election, but I don't think what's happening to the economy is one of them Lord HealeyThere are many problems the Labour Party has at the moment about winning the next election, but I don't think what's happening to the economy is one of them Lord Healey
He said his personal relationship with Lady Thatcher, who is being treated for a broken arm, had been transformed: "It has changed very much because she has changed.He said his personal relationship with Lady Thatcher, who is being treated for a broken arm, had been transformed: "It has changed very much because she has changed.
"I thought she was frankly appalling as prime minister, because she wouldn't listen to anybody who didn't share her views."I thought she was frankly appalling as prime minister, because she wouldn't listen to anybody who didn't share her views.
"But since she lost power, nobody really listens to what she has to say, poor thing, and I feel very sorry for her now."But since she lost power, nobody really listens to what she has to say, poor thing, and I feel very sorry for her now.
"We get on very well when we meet, which wasn't the case at all when I was in politics."We get on very well when we meet, which wasn't the case at all when I was in politics.
"Last time we met was at Leonardslee, which is a beautiful country garden near us, and I gave her a great hug.""Last time we met was at Leonardslee, which is a beautiful country garden near us, and I gave her a great hug."
Lord Healey also admitted he has spent the last 20 years regretting never becoming prime minister.Lord Healey also admitted he has spent the last 20 years regretting never becoming prime minister.
But he defended his role in going to the International Monetary Fund for assistance in 1976, dismissing suggestions it was a national humiliation as "absolute baloney".But he defended his role in going to the International Monetary Fund for assistance in 1976, dismissing suggestions it was a national humiliation as "absolute baloney".
He added: "You join the IMF as an insurance policy. Drawing on insurance when you need it - there's nothing wrong with that."He added: "You join the IMF as an insurance policy. Drawing on insurance when you need it - there's nothing wrong with that."
He also denied that the current recession had doomed Labour's chances in the coming general election.He also denied that the current recession had doomed Labour's chances in the coming general election.
He said: "There are many problems the Labour Party has at the moment about winning the next election, but I don't think what's happening to the economy is one of them.He said: "There are many problems the Labour Party has at the moment about winning the next election, but I don't think what's happening to the economy is one of them.
"After all, we are doing better than any other European country.""After all, we are doing better than any other European country."
Desert Island Discs is broadcast on Radio 4 at 1115 BST on Sunday.Desert Island Discs is broadcast on Radio 4 at 1115 BST on Sunday.