Labour MP for East Ham Stephen Timms said former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher “defined an era” after she died aged 87 this morning following a stroke.

Newham Recorder: East Ham MP Stephen TimmsEast Ham MP Stephen Timms (Image: Archant)

In a statement, Mr Timms, currently shadow employment minister, said: “Margaret Thatcher was a remarkable politician who defined an era.

“It was a difficult era for our part of London, as industrial jobs were lost and unemployment rocketed.

“With other Labour party members, I collected money on High Street North to support the miners during their strike.

“In the redevelopment of Docklands, she also put in place new jobs, to help replace the old ones.

“Unfortunately, the financial crisis showed some of the new jobs were less secure than everyone had hoped.”

What do you think Thatcher’s legacy is in east London? Leave a comment below, write to us at letters@newhamrecorder.co.uk, or tweet us @NewhamRecorder.